Is it ever too soon to start talking about the NFL Draft? According to ESPN, no. It is the perfect time to roll out their first mock draft, just 11 weeks into the Los Angeles Chargers season. In their mock draft, they have Jim Harbaugh going back to his Michigan team to select not just a trusted player, but a position that the team has needed for quite some time.
Jim Harbaugh Selects TE with 25th Overall Pick
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*
Tight end isn’t a new need for LA, who were linked to Brock Bowers in the 2024 draft. Loveland would be an ideal fit in Los Angeles, as he played his first two collegiate seasons under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has overcome subpar Michigan quarterback play to rack up 53 receptions and four touchdowns this season, already topping last season’s figures. I was wowed by his flexibility, movement traits, and straight-line speed when watching him catch passes from J.J. McCarthy at Michigan’s pro day in March. Loveland is a modern tight end with Dallas Goedert-like upside.
While the pick itself makes a lot of sense, perhaps the best news is the predicted draft order putting them at #25, meaning in this case the Chargers are a playoff team.
Unlike, Harbaugh’s other Michigan picks, (Junior Colson in the third and Cornelius Johnson in the seventh) this is one the Chargers could utilize on day one of the 2025 season.
Justin Herbert has looked to free agent tight end pick up Will Dissly a lot this season, to the tune of 48 targets. This has made a blocking tight end the team’s second most popular receiver.
Loveland, in his junior season, has already set career highs in receptions and touchdowns and will easily surpass his yardage mark of 649 yards from last year.
