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Denver Broncos: 5 factors to make the offense better in 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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ENGLEWOOD, CO – AUGUST 02: Denver Broncos tight end Jake Butt #80 puts in some light drills after practice at Dove Valley August 02, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO – AUGUST 02: Denver Broncos tight end Jake Butt #80 puts in some light drills after practice at Dove Valley August 02, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

3. Legitimate receiving tight ends

Since Julius Thomas left in the 2015 offseason, the best tight end the Denver Broncos have had in the pass-catching department is Owen Daniels, who was 33 years old and in the final year of his NFL career.

That’s not meant as a slight to Daniels, but the Broncos have lacked a truly dynamic pass catcher at tight end, and that is set to change dramatically in 2018.

Virgil Green departed for the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Broncos are elevating Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt, and Troy Fumagalli in his place.

There are plenty of unknowns with each of those three young players, but all of them were either high draft picks or elite college tight ends, specifically in the pass catching department.

Butt has generated the most hype of any of these three players so far, making one-handed catches regularly at OTAs and proving to coaches and teammates that he’s at 100 percent strength.

The Broncos really need a playmaker like Butt to step up in their offense, and help create opportunities for the other players in the passing game.

Not only can these guys be outlets for the Broncos’ quarterback, they can force defenses to stay honest in coverage and not double up on Thomas and Sanders.

The emergence of at least one tight end will take the Broncos’ offense to the next level.

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