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The Indianapolis Colts tackle what is now, after free agency, their biggest positional need in The Athletic's latest beat writers mock draft.
For the second time during this draft cycle, each of the beat writers for The Athletic made selections for the respective teams they cover. For the Indianapolis Colts, James Boyd had the Colts taking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
While Tyler Warren remains a popular pick, as we get deeper into the pre-draft process, he is more often being taken inside the top 10.
"Indianapolis could’ve traded back to recoup more draft capital, but for a team that desperately needs to upgrade at tight end, Loveland is too good to pass up. The Athletic’s draft guru Dane Brugler compared Loveland to Brock Bowers when we spoke about Loveland and Warren at the combine. Obviously, Brugler cautioned that Loveland shouldn’t be expected to have the same immediate impact as Bowers, who had a historic rookie season in 2024, but Loveland has the size, speed and versatility to become a QB’s best friend."
As GM Chris Ballard said after the season and as we all saw with our eyes in 2024, the Colts need more production in the passing game from the tight end position. Last season, the four tight ends on the Colts roster combined for just 467 receiving yards on the year--the lowest amount in the NFL.
Loveland can certainly provide that upgrade for the Colts' passing attack. Loveland can line up in the slot or even out wide if needed and is a threat at all levels of the field.
Beyond his own production in the passing game, having a tight end who can make this kind of impact through the air can open up opportunities for others within the offense to exploit as well.
While tight end is the obvious play here, as Boyd mentioned, trading down could be in the cards for the Colts, and I also believe that addressing either the offensive or defensive lines is in play in the first round as well.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL draft: Colts pick Colston Loveland in The Athletic's latest mock
Continue reading...
For the second time during this draft cycle, each of the beat writers for The Athletic made selections for the respective teams they cover. For the Indianapolis Colts, James Boyd had the Colts taking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
While Tyler Warren remains a popular pick, as we get deeper into the pre-draft process, he is more often being taken inside the top 10.
"Indianapolis could’ve traded back to recoup more draft capital, but for a team that desperately needs to upgrade at tight end, Loveland is too good to pass up. The Athletic’s draft guru Dane Brugler compared Loveland to Brock Bowers when we spoke about Loveland and Warren at the combine. Obviously, Brugler cautioned that Loveland shouldn’t be expected to have the same immediate impact as Bowers, who had a historic rookie season in 2024, but Loveland has the size, speed and versatility to become a QB’s best friend."
As GM Chris Ballard said after the season and as we all saw with our eyes in 2024, the Colts need more production in the passing game from the tight end position. Last season, the four tight ends on the Colts roster combined for just 467 receiving yards on the year--the lowest amount in the NFL.
Loveland can certainly provide that upgrade for the Colts' passing attack. Loveland can line up in the slot or even out wide if needed and is a threat at all levels of the field.
Beyond his own production in the passing game, having a tight end who can make this kind of impact through the air can open up opportunities for others within the offense to exploit as well.
While tight end is the obvious play here, as Boyd mentioned, trading down could be in the cards for the Colts, and I also believe that addressing either the offensive or defensive lines is in play in the first round as well.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL draft: Colts pick Colston Loveland in The Athletic's latest mock
Continue reading...
