Colston Loveland
Loveland enters year two as Chicago's primary receiving hub in the passing game, riding a 70% route share and a late-season target pace (10 per game over his final five) that several shows say already looked like top-five tight end production. With Luther Burden dealing with a groin issue, multiple podcasts frame Loveland as the offense's top or second-leading target earner, not just a tight-end sleeper.
The two-week arc is almost uniformly bullish: FantasyPros and Fantasy Focus Football pushed the rookie-breakout angle early, citing his Weeks 16-20 pace as overall TE1-caliber and comparing his per-route output to Trey McBride and Brock Bowers. That momentum built into Berry ranking him TE3 overall and Sherman on Late-Round issuing a bold prediction he hits 20+ PPG like peak Travis Kelce, while RotoWire and Fantasy Football Today added that Burden's injury could push Loveland's target share higher. The lone skeptical voice is The Ringer, which flags his ADP as already pricing in the ceiling and worries about a sophomore target regression akin to Sam LaPorta's.
The line: Draft him as a top-five tight end target hog, but The Ringer's LaPorta-regression warning is the real risk to price in.
▲ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Sam Sherman's bold prediction: Loveland becomes the first TE since 2020 Travis Kelce to average 20+ PPR points per game, citing his 70% route share and 18.5 PPG pace late last season plus a highly concentrated Bears passing attack. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Football Today: Could see ADP rise if Luther Burden's groin injury lingers, given he averaged 10 targets over his last five games including playoffs; compared to Gronkowski/Kelce/McBride breakout potential. listen ↗
▶ Fantasy Life Show: Cited as a potential de facto WR1-type target earner in Chicago's offense, complicating Luther Burden's path to a true breakout. listen ↗
▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Compared to 2020 Darren Waller; expected to be Chicago's top or second target earner with Luther Burden banged up, drawing Gronkowski/Kelce-level camp buzz. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: Berry is very high on Loveland as his TE3 overall (38 overall), but doesn't think Burden's injury bumps him up further. listen ↗
▶ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Hosts believe he's priced near his ceiling (going before Lamar Jackson in some drafts) and worry about a rookie TE target regression similar to Sam LaPorta's sophomore dip. listen ↗
▲ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: His Weeks 16-20 usage would have made him the overall TE1, ahead of last year's Trey McBride and 2024 Brock Bowers. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Focus Football: Field's favorite tight end, ranked well above consensus due to the Ben Johnson connection and elite athleticism; projected to clear 1,000 yards. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Football Happy Hour: Mentioned as a breakout tight end candidate and 'ride or die' short-list name who could push into the McBride/Bowers tier. listen ↗
▲ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Held up to Trey McBride/Brock Bowers per-route metrics in weeks 16-20 last year; seen as a cheap way to get elite TE production without a 2nd-round pick. listen ↗
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