NFL Draft summer scouting: Can anyone challenge Colston Loveland as TE1 this season? (2024)

Read Dane Brugler’s previous summer scouting reports: Quarterbacks|Running backs |Wide receivers

There was a consensus TE1 in this year’s draft class, Brock Bowers, followed by a collection of promising prospects. And the 2025 draft class has a chance to be similar in its setup.

Possessing a first-round skill set, Michigan’s Colston Loveland is the clear top tight end prospect entering the season. The next tier includes a few quality veterans and several unproven, high-upside prospects who will be competing for top-100 status. But it will be tough to knock Loveland off the top of the medal podium.

(Notes: An asterisk represents a draft-eligible underclassman. Heights and weights are what NFLteams currently have on file for each player, with “v” representing verified measurements and “e” for estimates.)

1. Colston Loveland, Michigan (6-5e, 245e)*

What he does best: Three-level receiving threat

Described as the Travis Kelce of the Michigan offense by Jim Harbaugh, Loveland is a difference-making pass catcher because of an athletic skill set that lets him attack every level of the field. Last season, Bowers led all FBS tight ends in catches of 10-plus (30) and 20-plus yards (13). But Loveland was not far behind — he ranked No. 2 in both categories with 29 and 12 catches (on nine fewer targets than Bowers).

Watching Loveland’s pass-catching athleticism and ball skills, the first name that popped into my mind as a comparison was former Utah and current Buffalo Bills TE Dalton Kincaid. Loveland does most of his damage over the middle of the field, but I was impressed last season by his connection with quarterback J.J. McCarthy outside of structure. This 54-yard touchdown showcases his ability to work open, calmness adjusting to the football and speed to finish:

Must improve: Physical maturation

Only 20 years old, Loveland (who won’t turn 21 until a few weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft) is still maturing in several areas. There are no questions about his athletic ability as a route runner, but he gets too loose at times and needs to continue to hone the finer points. Loveland also needs to mature with his frame. Adding body mass and developing play strength will help him in traffic and improve his run blocking, which was below average on too many plays in 2023.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

Idaho isn’t exactly a recruiting hotbed for college programs, but the state has produced numerous NFLers over the years (Jake Plummer!) and soon will send another playmaker to the league. A standout linebacker and tight end from Gooding, Idaho, Loveland has been a great fit in Ann Arbor and was an integral part of the Wolverines’ national title. He finished his sophom*ore season with 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns and led Michigan in yards after catch.

This April, Michigan set a program record with 13 draft picks, including one top-40 selection (McCarthy). Had he been draft-eligible, Loveland would have given the Wolverines 14 draft picks — and likely would have joined his former QB as a high pick. With so much changeover on the Michigan roster, most notably at quarterback, Loveland’s statistical output might decline in 2024. But the offensive structure will be very similar under new head coach Sherrone Moore (even if he isn’t calling the plays).

2. Jake Briningstool, Clemson (6-5 5/8v, 230v)

What he does best: Pass-catching athleticism

Anytime a defense lines up man to man, Clemson knows it likely has a mismatch against whoever is tasked with covering Briningstool. With his ability to release and quickly enter his route, Briningstool frequently gains a stride or two of separation on seam and crossers — and then has athletic locate-adjust-attack skills at the catch point.

Those who studied the Clemson–Miami tape from last season saw Briningstool consistently get open and make plays. Watch on this play how fast he gets vertical down the seam. Then, because he has to slow himself downfield, he’s able to show off his athletic finishing skills in a contested window.

Must improve: Sustained blocking strength

In terms of toughness and positioning as a blocker, Briningstool is assignment-sound — ask him to execute a wham block and he gets the job done. But in sustaining and driving, he doesn’t have the point-of-attack power to simply overwhelm defenders. NFL scouts are hoping to see the 230-pound Briningstool add more weight throughout his senior season and into the NFL Draft process.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

Briningstool was the No. 1 tight end in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite (two spots ahead of Bowers). He didn’t have nearly the hot start Bowers did in college, with only three catches as a freshman. But he showed steady progress as a sophom*ore (25 catches) and last season as a junior (50 catches), setting up what should be his best season.

Briningstool has the talent and tools that will give him a chance to start in the NFL. He is just scratching the surface of his potential, and considering his developed chemistry with quarterback Cade Klubnik (and it being play caller Garrett Riley’s second season with the program), NFL scouts are optimistic about Briningstool in 2024. And those scouts have Clemson’s Week 1 showdown with Georgia circled.

3. Oscar Delp, Georgia (6-5e, 245e)*

What he does best: Route-running athleticism

Bowers is in the NFL, but Georgia has another tight end in the pipeline. Though not on the same level as Bowers as an athlete (who is?), Delp is an outstanding mover for his size with the stride control to quickly attack the void in a defense.

Must improve: Experience

In two seasons in Athens, Delp has only 36 combined targets and has yet to eclipse 50 yards receiving in a game. His raw talent is evident — but so is his inexperience. As a pass catcher, he tends to drift and lean into his routes and hasn’t proved himself in traffic. As a blocker, Delp has the body control but not the consistency. Fine-tuning the details will take time.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

Every program wanted Delp out of high school, but he decided to stay in his home state and sign with Georgia. After making just five catches as a true freshman, he collected 24 receptions last season and started 10 games, plus played an expanded role when Bowers was sidelined with an ankle injury.

With Bowers and Ladd McConkey, the Georgia offense (and QB Carson Beck) did a lot of damage over the middle of the field last season. And Delp is expected to play a substantial part this year as the Bulldogs look to replace those targets. If compared directly to Bowers, Delp will struggle to match expectations — this ranking is based more on potential than production. But Delp has a promising skill set that could allow him to develop into one of college football’s better tight ends.

4. Mason Taylor, LSU (6-4 3/4v, 244v)*

What he does best: Catching/blocking versatility

Just based on tape study, it is obvious how much Taylor welcomes everything the coaches put on his plate. Over two seasons in college, he has been close to a 50-50 split between slot/wide alignment and attached to the line of scrimmage, and he’s been asked to do a lot as both a blocker and pass catcher, rarely coming off the field.

Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers accounted for most of LSU’s highlights last season, but Taylor often was involved in those plays. He didn’t receive nearly enough praise for his role in LSU leading the nation in scoring and yards per game.

Must improve: Expanding his target chart

The LSU offense will look very different in 2024, and scouts are hoping to see Taylor’s role expand — specifically, his depth of targets. Of his 36 receptions last season, only two came on passes of 10-plus yards and none came more than 20 yards downfield. Scouts also want to see Taylor become more of a factor in the red zone (his only TD in 2023 was a 3-yard flat route versus Missouri).

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

There were several high-profile names in Brian Kelly’s first recruiting class at LSU, including linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. and left tackle Will Campbell. Despite being the third-lowest-ranked recruit for the Tigers in that class, Taylor made an immediate impact in his first year, most notably catching a game-winning two-point conversation to beat Alabama.

Taylor’s father (Jason Taylor) and uncle (Zach Thomas) are both Pro Football Hall of Famers, and their competitive passion is ingrained in Taylor’s makeup. Even though the stats (combined 74 catches, 762 yards, four TDs his first two years) don’t necessarily leap off the page, he has been a vital cog in the Tigers offense because of his versatility across the formation. With a strong 2024 season, Taylor can compete for a spot in the top 100.

5. Tyler Warren, Penn State (6-5 3/4v, 255v)

What he does best: Coordinated athlete

A three-sport star (basketball, baseball, football) in high school, Warren is a smooth-moving big man with natural catching skills and YAC abilities that surprise defenses. Though he has the athleticism to work down the seam, he works primarily in the short passing game at Penn State, using his quick and controlled movements to get open. Warren’s coordination is also evident as a blocker, both inline and out in space.

Out of this tight bunch set seen below, Warren is aided by a natural rub, but watch his footwork from release to the pivot break to give his quarterback a window at the goal line. His athletic coordination makes this such a clean rep.

Must improve: Eliminate easy drops

With his body control and hands, Warren makes some spectacular grabs. However, he had at least one drop on five of the six 2023 tapes I studied and can do a better job finishing catchable throws. Despite dropping some of the easy ones, Warren’s ball skills (ability to track and adjust to the football) are a strength to his game — he just needs a little more consistency.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

Thinking back to a conversation I had with an NFL scout in the summer of 2021, as we discussed the options Penn State had to replace Pat Freiermuth as its go-to tight end, he mentioned Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson as promising up-and-comers — but also said the Nittany Lions coaches raved about Warren, a redshirt freshman they believed could be the best of the bunch. A native of Mechanicsville, Pa., Warren was a do-everything athlete at Atlee High and shined as a dual-threat quarterback before transitioning to tight end at State College.

Warren could have had a great chance of being a top-100 pick in the 2024 draft (potentially ahead of Johnson, selected at No. 107). Instead, he returned for his fifth season, with expectations of the offense being better. Junior quarterback Drew Allar showed a ton of promise in year one as Penn State’s starter and has all the talent necessary for high-level play, and the Nittany Lions have one of the best running back tandems in the country. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki also has never been shy in his prior stops about attacking defenses with vertical seam routes or targeting the tight end.

The stage is set for Warren to make his final college season his best one yet, which would give his draft grade a bump.

Preseason top 20 senior tight ends

(Note: Heights and weights for senior TEs listed below are NFL verified.)

1. Briningstool
2. Warren
3. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame (6-5 1/2, 266)
4. Luke Lachey, Iowa (6-5 3/4, 253)
5. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina (6-5 1/8, 226)
6. Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss (6-5 1/4, 258)
7. Joshua Simon, South Carolina (6-4 5/8, 245)
8. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon (6-5 1/4, 251)
9. Benjamin Yurosek, Georgia (6-4 3/8, 243)
10. Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh (6-4 3/4, 253)
11. Mark Redman, Louisville (6-5 5/8, 252)
12. Brant Kuithe, Utah (6-1 5/8, 235)
13. Robbie Ouzts, Alabama (6-2 7/8, 272)
14. Tre Watson, Texas A&M (6-4 1/8, 246)
15. Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn (6-3 1/4, 247)
16. Keleki Latu, Washington (6-6 1/8, 236)
17. Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech (6-3 1/8, 265)
18. CJ Dippre, Alabama (6-4 5/8, 257)
19. Gunnar Helm, Texas (6-5 1/8, 252)
20. Drake Dabney, TCU (6-5 1/8, 250)

Preseason top 10 draft-eligible underclassmen

(Note: All measurements for underclassman TEs listed below are estimates.)

1. Loveland
2. Delp
3. Taylor
4. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green (6-3, 231)
5. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse (6-5, 225)
6. Jack Velling, Michigan State (6-5, 245)
7. RJ Maryland, SMU (6-4, 235)
8. Jake Johnson, North Carolina (6-6, 240)
9. Justin Joly, NC State (6-3, 235)
10. Marlin Klein, Michigan (6-5, 250)

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photo of Colston Loveland: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)