As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves at a pivotal juncture. With the 26th overall pick in hand and a roster poised for both immediate contention and long-term growth, the Rams are rumored to be targeting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland—a versatile, athletic playmaker who could reshape their offense. On March 23, 2025, with the draft just weeks away, mock drafts and scouting reports increasingly link Loveland to Los Angeles, highlighting his potential to address a critical need at the tight end position. Here’s an in-depth look at why the Rams might draft Loveland, how he fits into their system, and what this move could mean for the franchise.
The Rams’ Tight End Situation: A Need for Youth and Dynamism
The Rams’ current tight end corps is anchored by veterans Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen. Higbee, now 32, remains a reliable contributor when healthy, but his contract expires after the 2025 season, and a significant knee injury in 2024 has raised questions about his long-term durability. Parkinson, at 26, offers a younger option with a contract through 2026, but his production has been modest—lacking the explosiveness needed to elevate the Rams’ passing game. With quarterback Matthew Stafford returning for another season, the Rams are eager to surround him with weapons capable of exploiting mismatches and sustaining their offensive momentum.
In 2024, the Rams leaned heavily on their 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end) packages, but their usage of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) jumped from 4.8% in 2023 to 13.9%, per Sumer Sports. This shift suggests head coach Sean McVay is open to incorporating more multi-tight-end sets—a trend that could accelerate with a dynamic talent like Loveland. Drafting him would not only provide a succession plan for Higbee but also add a new dimension to an offense already featuring stars like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams.
Who is Colston Loveland?
Colston Loveland, a junior from Gooding, Idaho, emerged as one of college football’s premier tight ends during his time at Michigan. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds, Loveland combines a towering frame with exceptional athleticism, earning him first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and a reputation as a potential top-20 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In his final collegiate season, he set a Michigan single-season record for tight end receptions with 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns, despite playing in a run-heavy offense with inconsistent quarterback play.
Loveland’s journey to NFL prospect stardom began on a farm in Idaho, where his multi-sport background—excelling in football and basketball—honed his athletic gifts. At Michigan, he became a key piece of the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship team, catching 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore alongside quarterback J.J. McCarthy. His ability to stretch the seam, separate from defenders, and make contested catches has drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, another Michigan alum who’s thrived in the NFL.
Scouts praise Loveland’s route-running nuance, soft hands, and ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls—traits that make him a quarterback’s best friend. While his blocking skills lag behind his receiving prowess, his size and willingness to engage defenders suggest room for growth in that area. At just 20 years old, Loveland’s ceiling is sky-high, making him an enticing prospect for a team like the Rams looking to invest in the future.
Why Loveland Fits the Rams
The Rams’ offense under Sean McVay thrives on versatility, misdirection, and exploiting defensive weaknesses. Loveland’s skill set aligns seamlessly with this philosophy. His ability to line up in-line, in the slot, or even split out wide offers McVay the flexibility to create pre-snap confusion and attack defenses from multiple angles. At 6-foot-5 with a wide catch radius, Loveland would give Stafford a big, reliable target over the middle—complementing Nacua’s outside threat and Williams’ dynamism out of the backfield.
Mock drafts from outlets like CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, and Turf Show Times consistently project Loveland to the Rams at No. 26, citing his potential to become a “mismatch nightmare” in the NFL. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com notes that Loveland “plays like a big wideout,” a trait that could see him thrive in McVay’s play-action-heavy scheme. With Stafford’s precision passing and Loveland’s knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage, the duo could form a potent connection early in Loveland’s career.
Moreover, Loveland’s arrival would allow the Rams to ease him into the lineup behind Higbee and Parkinson, refining his blocking technique while leveraging his immediate impact as a pass-catcher. His 2.89 yards per route run against man coverage (fourth among tight ends in 2024, per PFF) underscores his ability to win one-on-one matchups—a critical asset as the Rams face increasingly athletic defenses in the NFC West.
The Draft Dilemma: Availability and Competition
While Loveland is a near-perfect fit for Los Angeles, securing him at No. 26 is far from guaranteed. Ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect on Bleacher Report’s big board and a consensus top-two tight end alongside Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Loveland could draw interest from teams picking ahead of the Rams. The Denver Broncos (No. 19), desperate for offensive firepower, and the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 22), led by Loveland’s former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, pose significant threats to snag him earlier. Harbaugh’s familiarity with Loveland’s game could make the Chargers particularly aggressive in pursuing him to pair with Justin Herbert.
If Loveland slips past those teams, the Rams would be in a prime position to pounce. However, trading up—a move the Rams have executed in past drafts under GM Les Snead—remains a possibility if they view Loveland as a cornerstone piece. The cost of moving into the late teens or early twenties could be steep, but the reward of landing a potential Pro Bowl tight end might justify the investment.
Long-Term Impact: Building Around Loveland
Drafting Loveland wouldn’t just address an immediate need—it would signal a commitment to evolving the Rams’ offense for the post-Stafford era. His youth and upside make him a candidate to anchor the tight-end position for a decade, much like Higbee has since 2016. Paired with a developing quarterback—whether a future draft pick or a current backup like Jimmy Garoppolo—Loveland could become the focal point of a retooled passing attack.
In the short term, Loveland’s presence would enhance the Rams’ red-zone efficiency, an area where they hope to improve upon with Nacua, and recently signed Devante Adams. His height and leaping ability could turn contested catches into touchdowns, easing the pressure on Stafford to force throws into tight windows. Over time, as he bulks up and refines his blocking, Loveland could evolve into a complete tight end capable of thriving in both 11 and 12 personnel packages.
The Verdict: A Bold Move Worth Making
The Los Angeles Rams stand at a crossroads. With a Super Bowl window still ajar thanks to Stafford’s return, they must balance short-term competitiveness with long-term planning. Colston Loveland represents the best of both worlds—a high-impact rookie who can contribute immediately while growing into a foundational piece. His blend of size, speed, and receiving savvy makes him an ideal target for McVay’s creative play-calling, and his potential to succeed Higbee ensures continuity at a critical position.
Whether the Rams stay put at No. 26 or trade up to secure him, drafting Loveland would be a statement of intent: the Rams are here to win now and build for tomorrow. If he dons the horns in late April, expect the Rams’ offense to take on a new, explosive identity—one that could keep them atop the NFC for years to come.
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