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Denver Broncos: Rookie sleeper Austin Fleer claimed off waivers

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Members of the Cincinnati Bengals take the field before the start of their game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Members of the Cincinnati Bengals take the field before the start of their game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos claimed offensive tackle Austin Fleer off of waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals, and he could be a sleeper practice squad candidate…

The Denver Broncos made a waiver claim just ahead of their first preseason game of the 2018 season against the Minnesota Vikings, bringing in offensive tackle Austin Fleer from the Cincinnati Bengals.

This is not the first lineman the Broncos have coveted from the Bengals, as the team claimed interior lineman J.J. Dielman — someone they had been eyeing in the 2018 NFL Draft — on waivers last season.

The Broncos have long had an eye on Fleer as well.

The former Division II All-American at Colorado Mesa University was invited to the team’s local pro day, and put on a show for scouts at the Colorado pro day as well.

At 6-foot-7, 306 pounds, Fleer is a long-limbed tackle with solid athleticism and obviously some dominant tape at a lower level of competition.

Fleer curiously didn’t play in the Bengals’ preseason opener and was waived shortly after.

The Broncos pounced and it’s unknown at this point if any other NFL team put in a claim.

Denver obviously had a strong contingent at the Colorado pro day where they were able to watch Fleer work out, then again at the local pro day hosted at the team facility.

Broncos players to watch vs. Vikings. dark. Next

Perhaps the team just didn’t have enough roster spots initially to offer Fleer a chance, but whatever they’ve seen in camp has caused them to adjust their roster and make this move.

If anyone is curiously held out of tonight’s game, perhaps it will be a sign the Broncos intend to move on.

Fleer joins a crowded tackle group led by starters Garett Bolles and Jared Veldheer, along with backups Cyrus Kouandjio, Billy Turner, Andreas Knappe, Elijah Wilkinson, and Leon Johnson.

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