It is never too early to look ahead to NFL draft season.

The Athletic recently published their latest mock draft ahead of the upcoming regular season.

They projected the Cincinnati Bengals to select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 29 overall pick.

Loveland’s not going to have the same gaudy numbers in 2024 while playing with a new quarterback that he had with J.J. McCarthy in 2022 and 2023, but he’s an extremely dependable, agile and powerful pass catcher who has made plays all over the field. If Michigan rolls with young Alex Orji at QB, Loveland also will get a chance to fine-tune his run blocking — which already has been very good.

Loveland is coming off a big sophomore season for the Wolverines, in which he posted 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns. He was the team’s leading receiver (three receptions for 64 yards) in the National Championship Game.

At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he is an incredible athlete for his size. His draft stock should only increase over the coming year.

Pro Football Focus ranks him as the top tight end in the country entering this season.

Loveland would give the Bengals a long-term piece at the position. Their current top two tight ends are Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample.

Gesicki had back-to-back 700+ receiving-yard seasons in 2020 and 2021 for the Miami Dolphins. However, his production has severely waned, since then. Last season, he recorded a mere 244 receiving yards for the New England Patriots. He is looking to bounce back on a one-year deal with the Bengals.

Sample has played five seasons for the Bengals. His peak, thus far, came in 2020, when he hauled in 40 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown.

Last season, he had 22 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He is under contract until 2027.

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