Who Should I Start? Chig Okonkwo or Colston Loveland

Saturday, August 2, 6:55 PM

Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo "continues to look like he has an extra gear," according to team reporter JT Ruhnke. The 25-year-old has spent his entire career in Music City since being drafted by the team in 2022. He's appeared in all 17 regular-season games in each of his three seasons. While Okonkwo hasn't been consistently productive, he at least flashed some signs of promise by totaling 138 receptions for 1,457 yards and six touchdowns. He'll have plenty of competition for targets in 2025, with Tyler Lockett, Calvin Ridley, and Van Jefferson all looking for attention. The Titans will also presumably have rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center, although it's realistic to assume he might struggle on occasion. With so much anticipated volatility at the tight end position, Okonkwo could find himself in fantasy lineups this season. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect consistent production from him on a week-to-week basis.

Sunday, August 10, 5:03 PM

Chicago Bears first-round tight end Colston Loveland played in the first two series in the Bears' opening preseason game, catching one of two targets for eight yards in the 24-24 tie versus the Miami Dolphins. The 10th overall pick got his first NFL action in Sunday's game with Tyson Bagent and the rest of the Bears' backups. Veteran tight end Cole Kmet is listed as the starting tight end on the Bears' unofficial depth chart and didn't see the field, which is a bit of a worrying sign for the rookie. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has previously coordinated an offense that produced elite tight end production from Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. Loveland will need to surpass Kmet on the depth chart and rely on Johnson's scheme and quarterback Caleb Williams' potential to match what LaPorta achieved as a rookie.