If Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to reunite with tight end Colston Loveland, he's going to have a lot of competition. In a draft class that is not considered top-heavy or flush with blue-chip talent, Loveland is legitimately one of the 10-15 best overall players in the class.
Although there is generally a diminished value when it comes to the tight end position, the emergence of new Chargers' rival Brock Bowers with the Las Vegas Raiders could push players like Loveland and Penn State's Tyler Warren up the board considerably. Not only that, but the lack of elite talent and even the lack of quarterbacks in this class could make it nearly impossible for the Michigan tight end to fall to the Chargers' pick at 22 overall.
But who are the most likely candidates to swoop in and pick Loveland before the Chargers get the chance? Who are the biggest threats to take him early?
Top 4 threats to pick Colston Loveland before the Chargers in the 2025 NFL Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (13th pick)
I don't know that we can sit here and say that Colston Loveland's "ceiling" is the Miami Dolphins at pick #13 overall, but it feels like he probably won't go much higher than this unless someone is moving up to get him. You could justify a tight end for a lot of teams but Loveland seems to be an ideal fit for the Dolphins as a potential TE1 for 2026 and beyond.
The Dolphins currently have Jonnu Smith, who is coming off of a sensational year, but teams are always forward thinking and the ability to exploit defenses with multiple athletic tight ends isn't a bad idea either, especially as quickly as Tua Tagovailoa usually gets rid of the ball.
Loveland could be the ideal fit for Mike McDaniel's offense there in Miami and if they feel comfortable addressing other needs later, he could easily go this high.
2. Indianapolis Colts (14th pick)
There is no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts are one of the greatest threats in the 2025 NFL Draft to take a first-round tight end. The Colts have a tremendous combination of offensive skill talent right now at receiver and running back, but they are absolutely missing a critical piece at tight end.
Either Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren makes a ton of sense for Colts GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen to add to that offense. They've toyed around with a number of other athletic options in recent years but nobody has been able to stick in that TE1 role. Loveland could be Steichen's new version of Dallas Goedert with the Colts and would keep the Michigan tight end in Big Ten country.
If any team is going to take Loveland before the Chargers have the chance, the Colts might be the most likely option.
3. Denver Broncos (20th pick)
The Denver Broncos already beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the sweepstakes to sign free agent tight end Evan Engram. Could they add insult to injury and snipe Colston Loveland just two picks before the Chargers in this year's draft?
The message the Broncos are sending right now is that they are probably not going with a first-round tight end after signing Evan Engram, but you never know when teams are putting stuff out there to throw others off the scent.
Regardless of how well he does this year, Engram is likely a short-term fix for the Broncos. Loveland is a long-term solution. They could end up doubling up at that position considering how bad their production was last year at that position from a receiving standpoint with Adam Trautman leading the position group with 188 receiving yards on the season.