Denver Broncos breakout players for 2017: Paxton Lynch leads the charge

A.J. Derby, Tight End

Sayre Bedinger, Editor

If I were making my personal list of breakout players for the Broncos this season, it would start with Paxton Lynch and Justin Simmons, but Derby would be number three on that list.

In his first season with the Broncos, he proved himself to be a sure-handed third down option, a solid blocker, and someone who had the look of a future starting tight end.

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Injuries slowed him down after the rare trade from the New England Patriots, but I think the Broncos have a gem on their hands here. Derby was once a top ‘athlete’ coming out of high school and wanted to play quarterback. He hasn’t been playing the tight end position very long, but he seems to be adapting extremely well.

His size at 6-5, 255 pounds is about exactly where you want players at the position to be nowadays. He’s a fluid athlete with strong hands, catching 80 percent of his targets this past season. Even in limited work, it was clear that Derby has the ability and fire to be a weapon in the Broncos’ passing game.

This designation of breakout tight end could just as easily go to Jeff Heuerman, who has apparently also had a very good offseason. I think the Broncos’ tight end position will be critical to their offense’s overall development, and last year, I liked Derby a lot. He has strong hands, ability after the catch, and as a former quarterback, I’d guess he knows and understands defensive tendencies at a different level than other guys.

I think Derby will prove himself a valuable, versatile weapon this season.