The San Francisco 49ers will be on the clock Thursday night at the 2025 NFL Draft when they get set to pick 11th overall, the first of 11 selections at the team's disposal.
While there is no clear route that general manager John Lynch will take, there are a few that he would be wise to steer clear from.
Ongoing contract negotiations are putting potential question marks around another offensive weapon on the Niners roster. Last offseason, a similar situation ensued with star wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk, although he would eventually sign a new deal just prior to the regular season beginning.
This year, tight end George Kittle is navigating through talks to get a new deal, as well. The eight-year veteran had one more of his productive years to date in 2024. However, age is not on his side as he will turn 32 years old before the of October.
49ers should not fall in love TE Colston Loveland
With a number of talented and athletic prospects to choose fromin the opening rounds of the draft, San Francisco should be mindful of red flags.
As there may be a plausible option for the 49ers to add a rookie tight end to head coach Kyle Shanahan's roster, especially considering this year's class is deep at the position, there is one whom they should avoid. Boasting a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines in 2023 still may not be enough to sell San Francisco on drafting this position player.
Tight end Colston Loveland may not be worth the risk if taking in Rounds 1 or 2. In fact, his injury history makes him a liability considering the 49ers struggled to keep healthy bodies on the field last year and in 2020.
The Gooding, Idaho, native suffered a serious shoulder injury in Week 3 of the 2022 season. Despite it being in his freshman year, Loveland experienced a second shoulder injury during the same week of the 2024 season.
His injury resulted in surgery that caused him to miss out on last year's season finale and additionally, the Wolverine's Bowl game against Alabama.
There is an alarming red flag from his 2023 season when he was fully healthy.
Loveland had five games where he collected two or fewer receptions. That season was quarterback J.J. McCarthy's last year at Michigan.
Scouts may not be shy about taking a tight end to replace Kittle, but Colston would come with a serious threat or possibility of re-injuring his shoulder a third time. The Niners did add former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell to the roster recently.
Loveland's doctor, Neal ElAttrache, wrote a letter to each team in the league confirming his confidence that the tight end is ready to go. As attractive as Loveland's stat sheet and resume may appear on paper, his medical charts slightly dim his light.
San Francisco believes it can win now, so all available players and bodies may be called upon in any Super Bowl aspirations.
Loveland shouldn't be among them.