Film Breakdown: Where Colston Loveland Is Lining up and Why He’s Not Getting Targets
By Alexander Ross
Colston Loveland made his name under Sherrone Moore at Michigan by punishing defensive coordinators caught in base personnel. Moore featured the former Wolverines star as a roaming weapon, deploying heavy two- and three-tight-end packages that forced defenses to declare their run-fit commitments early. Loveland moved across the formation as an H-back, motioned into the slot, and isolated cornerbacks on crossing patterns off split-zone action.
His first round draft projection rested on that dynamic movement skill. NFL evaluators viewed Loveland as an ascending flex piece who could operate similarly to Trey McBride or Dalton Kincaid. When Chicago turned that projection into reality by drafting him into Caleb Williams' huddle, external expectations pointed toward instant double-digit target volume.
Chicago's offense functions on different tactical principles. Rather than manipulating personnel groupings to get Loveland isolated against safeties, the Bears use 11 personnel on over 68% of early downs. That structural shift changed his foundational job description overnight.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
