Broncos had a formal interview with Michigan TE Colston Loveland at the Combine

The Broncos met with Michigan TE Colston Loveland at the Combine.

The current popular Denver Broncos mock draft selection has been Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and I do not see that changing here in the near future. The big and athletic tight end had a formal interview with the Denver Broncos at the Combine and is in play for them in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Loveland met with the Broncos and said his meeting with the team went well and said “we were chopping up film, talking ball, and talking shop”.

Sean Payton and the Broncos are looking for a ‘Joker” at the tight end position and Loveland would fit that role very well. He is a big and athletic tight end who could slot into that role for the Broncos and give Broncos quarterback Bo Nix a big target in the middle field and in the red zone.

One thing to keep an eye on is the fact Loveland recently had shoulder surgery and will be sidelined throughout the draft process. However, he and his agent released a statement stating that he will be “ready to go” for OTAs and fully cleared for training camp later in the year. He said the surgery went well and it’s not a lower body injury so I am not concerned about it, but it is something to keep an eye on moving forward.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Loveland to Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and has the opportunity to become a high-volume starter with the potential to be a future Pro Bowler.

Talented young tight end with the athletic ability and ball skills to become an elite talent as a pass catcher. Colston plays the game like a big wideout, capable of separating from man coverage and making plays on all three levels. He has good play speed and runs a route tree full of branches, allowing creative play-callers to move him around as a mismatch option. His routes can be a little hurried and lacking in detail but that should change with coaching. He’s graceful in-air and catches the ball with good timing and strong hands. He will keep filling out his frame but is unlikely to ever become more than average as a blocker. Colston’s collection of athletic traits and catch talent creates a high ceiling with the opportunity to become a high-volume target and future Pro Bowler.

I think Loveland will be connected to the Broncos throughout the entire draft process. He has the ability to be a game-changing tight end who becomes Bo Nix’s top weapon on offense moving forward. The injury is a slight concern but he played through it last year and it’s not a lower body/knee or ankle injury so I am not that worried about it.

At the end of the day, if Loveland ends up being the pick, I would not be upset about it. The Broncos need a weapon at tight end and there aren’t many better in this draft than Loveland. Selfishly, I wish we could have seen him workout before the draft but his tape speaks for itself and I think he would be a great draft selection by the Broncos.