We are only four weeks into the Indianapolis Colts’ 2024 NFL season, but for many, the draft season never ends.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus recently put together a first-round projection of the upcoming draft based on his current big board and perceived team needs.
For the Colts, there seems to be a few directions they could go in the first round of the 2025 draft, but at 11th overall, Sikkema had them addressing the tight end position, taking Michigan’s Colston Loveland.
“The Colts have a solid group of pass-catchers in Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell,” wrote Sikkeman, “but their tight end room lacks a true NFL-caliber presence. Loveland isn’t just the best option available — he’s a first-round talent.”
This isn’t the first mock draft that has had the Colts taking Loveland either. Listed at 6-5 – 246 pounds, Loveland would add a needed pass-catching presence to the tight end position for the Colts.
During Michigan’s National Championship run in 2023, Loveland caught 45 of his 62 targets at 14.4 yards per catch with four scores. Nearly half of his snaps came from the slot with another 19 percent lined up on the boundary, per PFF.
Loveland totaled 649 receiving yards which were the fifth-most in 2023 among tight ends. He also ranked fourth in average YAC and third in yards per route run.
In four games this season, Loveland has 23 receptions on 30 targets, averaging 9.9 yards per catch with one touchdown.
In addition to needing more playmaking at the tight end position, the Colts also face a number of unknowns at the position group next offseason.
Both Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson are set to be free agents, while Jelani Woods will be coming off another missed season due to injury, and Will Mallory still remains a relative unknown. The 2025 season will also be the final year for Drew Ogletree on his rookie deal.