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With Luther Burden likely out until Week 1, Loveland is one of the two frontrunners for the No. 1 pass-game option in Chicago alongside Rome Odunze. Year 2 of the Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams partnership looks capable of bringing out fireworks, and the sooner the pecking order is pinpointed, the easier it will be to attack this potentially high-flying offense in fantasy drafts.

Loveland broke out late in his rookie season and is positioned to challenge Bowers and McBride for the TE1 spot in 2026 tight end rankings.

Drafted as TE1 in superflex mock at Pick 4.10, indicating early tight end investment and confidence in his role with the Chicago Bears.

Colston Loveland is identified as 'the player' to watch on the Chicago Bears in the absence of injured Luther Burden III, suggesting elevated role and opportunity in the Bears' pass-catching game.

Tight end received positive commentary from Albert Breer in his training camp notebook, indicating favorable early impressions of his role in the Bears offense.

Albert Breer had positive things to say about tight end Colston Loveland in his Sports Illustrated training camp notebook.

Has real number-one-overall tight end upside, not just top-12. Over a five-week stretch late last season once he was fully unleashed, his per-game production in target share, receiving yards, yards per route run, and first-read share would have made him better than either of the last two seasons' actual top overall tight end. He doesn't have to finish number one to be a great value at his price, especially with a tough team schedule and a departed veteran receiver funneling more volume his way.

Training camp has generated consistent positive buzz around Colston Loveland, the young tight end who flashed as a rookie. The source cites this constant drumbeat of positive reports as evidence that Loveland is ascending in the Bears' passing game hierarchy, positioning him ahead of Rome Odunze in target priority.

The source drafts Colston Loveland in round five as an elite tight end in a single-flex league format. The source notes that rankings are split between Jameson Williams and Loveland, but because the league is single-flex (not double-flex), taking the elite tight end is the correct strategy. This allows the team to get away with taking an elite TE early. The source includes Loveland as the tight end in a Bears stack with Caleb Williams and DeAndre Swift, describing the resulting team as 'really strong,' demonstrating confidence in his role and production relative to typical tight-end draft timing.

Colston Loveland is positioned as one of Caleb Williams' main offensive options while Luther Burden III is sidelined. With thin WR depth and Burden out, Loveland's role as a primary target for the Bears offense is elevated.

Loveland turned into a monster late in his rookie season and is a tight end Wrs Romeo Doubs is willing to spend early-round draft capital on, making him a premium TE option in 2026 drafts.

Listed as a top early-round TE target in 2026 drafts, indicating the source views him as an elite tight end option worthy of early capital allocation.

Colston Loveland is a high-upside tight end and the number four all-time prospect in the rookie supermodel, averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game as a starter. He offers a rare combination of downfield ability and high target volume in a consolidated Ben Johnson offense. While Zack Charbanet ranks him behind established veterans like Trey McBride and Brock Bowers, he is a viable 2nd-round target in tight end premium formats with the potential to finish as the overall TE1.

Had a big day in 7-on-7 drills, though the observer could not personally verify the plays due to viewing limitations during that portion of practice.

Had a big day in 7-on-7 drills during red zone work, though the observer could not personally verify the plays due to viewing limitations.

Loveland finished TE15 in fantasy points per game in 2025 due to part-time role for most of the season, but exploded in Weeks 16-20 as the Bears' WR1 with 25.6% target share, 81.6 receiving yards per game, 2.49 yards per route run, 34% first-read share, 0.116 first downs per route run, and 17.2 PPR points per game. Those Weeks 16-20 numbers would have ranked first, first, fourth, first, fourth, and second among all tight ends with at least 20 targets, and would have beaten both Trey McBride's 2025 and Brock Bowers' 2024 seasons in every category except fantasy points per game versus McBride. With D.J. Moore gone and only Rome Odunze and Luther Burden competing for targets, Loveland could compete with Bowers and McBride for TE1 crown.

Colston Loveland is identified as one of two tight ends (alongside Brock Bowers) that Fitzmaurice is comfortable taking in Round 2 at their going rate, representing a partial exception to the strategy of avoiding tight end early. He is also listed as a Round 3 target in the context of building a powerhouse pass-catcher roster.

Colston Loveland is viewed as a strong keeper option in a 10-team league, with the potential to be a long-term stud tight end, especially if there are concerns about Malik Nabers' injury recovery.

Ron Stewart identifies Colston Loveland as a target in his draft guide, projecting a potential breakout in his second season within a high-volume passing offense.

Shawn Gill notes increased hype around Colston Loveland coming out of camp, positioning him as a threat to Rome Odunze's target share in the Bears passing game.