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Mel Kiper evaluates draft range for top tight ends Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp02/03/25
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Photos by USA TODAY Sports

On a draft special for ESPN on Monday, NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper and Field Yates sat down to discuss some of the top targets in this year’s draft, including tight ends Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.

The Big Ten stars figure to be the two top tight ends on the board, potentially coming off in the first round.

But just how early could each hear his name called? Yates speculated that the No. 22 pick, for the Los Angeles Chargers, was around the right range for both to begin getting picked, throwing that to Kiper for an evaluation.

“Certainly when you think about Warren, Warren and Loveland aren’t Brock Bowers,” Kiper pointed out. “But in this draft you’re right, they’re going to get pushed up a bit. And there are several teams, the Colts being one of them, the Colts I think will get one of these tight ends. Will Loveland be there for the Chargers? Or will the Chargers move up to get Loveland? Somebody may be aggressive and go up and get him, that could be certainly Jim Harbaugh.”

Both players had productive careers in the Big Ten. Tyler Warren was a do-it-all star for Penn State, even going deep into the College Football Playoffs. Colston Loveland had a bit of a down year, one that Kiper discussed on the show.

Enough to cool his stock a bit? That might depend on the team.

“Colston Loveland missed some time late in the year,” Kiper said. “And they didn’t have the quarterback this year. The quarterback play was down from what it had been with JJ (McCarthy). Right? But he had more catches, but his average per catch was down significantly because look at the quarterback situation there at Michigan was an issue, was a problem. But with JJ he was the guy.

“His speed, his ability to stretch the field, run after the catch, you talked about that, Field. Colston Loveland, will he be there (at No. 22)? I’m a little iffy on that. I mean he could, possibly.”

Whether Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren remain on the board at No. 22 is anyone’s guess. But Kiper certainly likes the fit of one of them with the Chargers.

“The Harbaughs have always been big into the tight ends,” Kiper said. “John Harbaugh here in Baltimore with the Ravens, Jim Harbaugh certainly with the Michigan Wolverines.”