LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears made their first selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night, picking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10 overall.

This move is an important one for the franchise’s future, and comes after months of speculation and analysis. Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson had options after bolstering their offensive and defensive lines via trades and aggressive free-agent signings, allowing them either to go in a different direction or continue to fortify their fronts. They chose to give quarterback Caleb Williams another weapon in Johnson’s high-powered offense.

Here’s all you need to know about the Bears’ first-round pick:

Colston Loveland

Position: Tight end

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 248 pounds

School: Michigan

College stats: 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns in 39 games over three seasons

Honors: Two-time All-Big Ten selection (first team in 2023, second team in 2024)

NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah’s analysis: “Loveland is a long, lean tight end with outstanding awareness, quickness and big-play ability. He has aligned in-line, as a wing and in the slot. He’s urgent in his release. He has a tremendous feel for option routes and working in space. He can cleanly get in/out of breaks and he presents a big target to the quarterback. He attacks the ball in the air and is adept at finishing in crowds. After the catch, he has a smooth stride and possesses a nasty stiff-arm. He has some wiggle to make defenders miss, as well. His lack of bulk impacts his ability to stay connected as a run blocker, though. Overall, Loveland has a chance to make a lot of catches as a starting tight end in his rookie campaign.”

Bair’s breakdown

While most assumed Tyler Warren would be the first tight end taken off the board, the Michigan product received that title. Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King said coaches and scouts who had touchpoints with both tight ends agreed Loveland was a better fit for what they needed.

While fans might have been shocked by the Loveland pick, he was rated only one spot lower than Warren at No. 8 on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Warren at No. 7 and Loveland at No. 11. When the evaluation is that close, it’s more about picking between ice cream flavors. Both probably will be good.

Loveland can line up anywhere on the field and, while he isn’t an outstanding blocker, he should make a real impact in the passing game.

Also, the Bears weren’t bothered by Loveland missing time with a shoulder injury that also kept him from testing during the pre-draft process. There is confidence he’ll be ready to go by training camp in July.