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Denver Broncos: Possible free agent fits at tight end

By Sayre Bedinger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Tight end Trey Burton #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Tight end Trey Burton #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 17: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 17: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /

Niles Paul & Luke Willson

It’s certainly possible that the Broncos will look to another team’s backup at tight end and think, “Hey, we could make that guy into a star by paying him starter money and giving him a starting job.”

The players that would be on the short-list there for unrestricted free agents who are a little risky to me include Niles Paul and Luke Willson, along with another (much more attractive) name later on this list.

I think of this duo, Paul is the most risky because of his injury history, and honestly because he’s not a traditional tight end really at all. He was a wide receiver at Nebraska, and transitioned to an h-back type of position with the Redskins in the NFL.

He was still returning some kicks for them this past year, so he’s an explosive straight-line speed guy, but he’s not played a full 16 game slate since 2014, and missed the 2015 season entirely before playing in just eight games in 2016, and 14 this past year.

Willson is an interesting option to me, because he has low mileage, and has proven himself a solid threat in the passing game when targeted.

Still, I would think the Broncos would prefer someone more proven at least than Virgil Green, and I don’t know that either of these guys are an upgrade over him.

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