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Denver Broncos 7-round March Mock Draft

By Aric Manthey

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Shane Ray (Missouri) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Shane Ray (Missouri) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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6th Round, 219th Overall: FB Dan Vitale, Northwestern

Explanation: It’s official. The Fullback WILL BE back en vogue… At least in Denver. In what is considered to be a crucial role in the Broncos offense going forward, Gary Kubiak confirmed the addition of a player in the position coming in the near future.  Quotes are courtesy of Seth Medvin and the Denver

Nov 22, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Dan Vitale (40) dives over Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Frankie Williams (24) in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Dan Vitale (40) dives over Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Frankie Williams (24) in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /

Broncos media staff.

On utilizing the fullback position next season

“There will be some on the roster. Hopefully we have a couple going into camp and we can get back to some of those two-back things. Those guys are hard to come by. They really are. I think in the draft this year there are a few guys. I’m excited about that.

We’d like to have one of those guys be a part of our roster. Obviously the thing with [TE/FB] James [Casey] didn’t work out. He tried to battle through some knee stuff. In Week 3 or 4 we went in a different direction and became a one-back football team. We’ll see, but I’d like to have one.” -Gary Kubiak

In referring to the quote by Coach Kubiak, it’s clear that they have a few guys in mind for the Draft. Dan Vitale has to be one of them. A four year starter at Northwestern, Vitale was the swiss army knife of the Wildcats offense. A well equipped receiver, Vitale caught 33 passes and four TD’s in 2015. In the run game, Vitale is not only a willing, but an eager blocker and will put every pound of his frame to take care of the defenders ahead of him.

Vitale’s skill set is diverse but nothing that will be game changing for an offense.  As far as prospects go, he’s arguably the best at his position in the 2016 NFL Draft and with an obvious need for the position, I can see Vitale being on the Broncos short list this draft season.

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