For the teams not participating in the Super Bowl on Sunday, it’s all hands on deck as they prepare for free agency and the NFL Draft. These teams are eager to find the right players to enhance their rosters with the ultimate goal of competing in the league’s final game next season.

One of those teams is the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals faced challenges early in the season, starting with a record of 4-8. However, they turned things around by winning five consecutive games to finish the season 9-8. This record matches their 2023 season performance, but is significantly lower than their impressive 12-4 season in 2022.

The Bengals’ offense, guided by quarterback Joe Burrow, performed well in 2024. It ranked No. 9 in total yards and No. 1 in passing yards, but unfortunately, it placed No. 30 in rushing yards. Burrow had an outstanding season, completing the year with 4,918 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions.

Despite Cincinnati boasting the top-ranked passing offense, CBS Sports’ latest mock draft predicts that the Bengals will select another pass-catching weapon.

“(Colston) Loveland is listed at 6-foot-5, 237 pounds, and while he runs like he’s 185, he plays like he’s 260,” CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson wrote. “He’ll run through open-field arm tackles all day long, he has an enormous catch radius and he’s a precise route runner, looking like a receiver at times in his movement skills. He’s a willing blocker, but like most pass-catching tight ends coming into the league, he’ll need to improve in this area.”

In 2024, Loveland had a strong season, recording 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns. However, his standout year was arguably in 2023 when he made 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns. He played a crucial role on the Michigan Wolverines’ national championship squad that year, finishing second on the team in both receiving yards and touchdowns and third in receptions.

The tight end position has not seen much involvement in Cincinnati’s passing game since Burrow arrived in 2020. This past season, Mike Gesicki recorded the most receiving yards by a tight end in the Burrow era, finishing with 665 yards and two touchdowns. He is a free agent this offseason so Loveland could either take his place or potentially work well alongside Gesicki if the latter decides to return.

Loveland will find his landing spot when the NFL Draft begins on April 24.