What’s going on with the Denver Broncos’ tight end position?
By Dean Worley
Production at the Denver Broncos’ tight end position has been lacking. What Denver must do to solve the issue going forward, and how the draft can help…
Before leaving the Mile High city for Jacksonville, Julius Thomas was one of the top receiving tight ends in the league. Where has that kind of production been from Denver Broncos tight ends lately?
Denver currently has six tight ends on its roster (including practice squad players): A.J. Derby, Virgil Green, Jeff Heuerman, Henry Krieger-Coble, Steven Scheu, and Austin Traylor. The three most utilized players out of the six are obviously Green, Derby, and Heuerman.
Denver, who selected Virgil Green in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Nevada, has never really gotten the production on the receiving side of a tight end that they had hoped for.
The only thing Green really brings to the offense is an ability to block, which is the main reason he has stuck around.
Derby, who was acquired from New England right before the trade deadline last season, showed some flashes of promise but has yet to reach his full potential.
Heuerman, who was taken high two seasons ago out of Ohio State was expected to be “the guy” but missed his rookie season due to a torn ACL.
All three of them have some sort of skill that can help the team, but who’s a guy that can do all of it — and even better?
A few prospects obviously include O.J. Howard out of Alabama, who wasn’t fully utilized the way scouts would like to see him used at the collegiate level. With that said, it still doesn’t take away from the fact that Howard is the best tight end prospect that many including myself have scouted the past five-plus years. With a huge frame, Howard is a huge red-zone target can both catch and block.
Another prospect that comes in mind is David Njoku out of Miami. Njoku may be the most versatile at his position, and can create space when needed. He can also be relied on heavily in the red-zone.
However, If Denver is not willing to spend a first round pick or maybe even a second rounder on a tight end, they can wait for a player like Evan Engram of Ole Miss or Bucky Hodges of Virginia Tech.
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This drafts’ strength is definitely the tight end position.
Full of interesting prospects, some are really not in-line tight ends which does make a difference. Outside of Howard and Njoku, all the tight ends are over-sized wide receivers who rarely play inline and have significant issues blocking.
Pro Football Focus has us taking a huge play-maker in their most recent mock draft…
One can argue the best and safest pick in this whole draft is O.J. Howard. Others can also argue that Njoku has a higher ceiling. To me it’s simple.
If O.J. Howard falls past Cleveland at 12, Denver must trade up. Denver has been missing that playmaker at the tight end position for a while now. Pick Howard in the 1st round and he will automatically come in and help both quarterbacks have success.
With the Draft in the upcoming weeks, will Denver draft a tight end high?