The Utah State Aggies have traditionally provided the Denver Broncos with key talent through the years. Perhaps this is another time this can happen.
As the NFL Draft comes into focus and draws ever closer, college football programs across the country are preparing their pro prospects for their respective pro days. Perhaps the Denver Broncos could turn their attention just west of Colorado.
Wednesday, Utah State University, the third option for fans in Utah behind more popular programs, BYU and Utah, will feature 17 prospects working out on campus at Logan, Utah. Among them are two standouts I think the Broncos should be interested: tight end Dax Raymond and receiver Ron’Quavion Tarver.
Raymond, a 6-4 245-pound junior, who is foregoing his final year of eligibility for the Aggies, has really impressive skills.
Raymond, per The Draft Network, has effective release and he can make it through challenges at the contact window. Furthermore, the report believes that he can be a “do-it-all” tight end. His big body allows him to sit down between zones and absorb hits after he makes catches.
His speed is not elite, the report states, but it is sufficient to run away from man coverage.
Perhaps the biggest reason I tout him as a possible Bronco is that last season the Broncos were really struggling to keep tight ends healthy. Raymond’s collegiate stats (72 rec, 873 yards, 3 TD’s) were also solid and he has plenty of room for growth.
You may recall that Jake Butt once again showed his lack of durability for the time being. Jeff Heuerman has proven valuable for the Broncos (31 rec, 281 yards, 2 TD’s) but he has been affected by the injury bug as well.
Therefore, if the Broncos were to draft a Raymond type at some point or other in April and can have good fortune with his health, it could give QB Joe Flacco a new favorite friend.
I’ve always thought that a quarterback’s best friend is a reliable tight end.
Also, Joe Marino of Draft Network LLC and the Locked on Bills podcast shares his thoughts on Raymond.
Utah State TE Dax Raymond has some appealing receiving potential, but how dynamic can he be? Can he improve as a blocker? Where does he fit in the NFL?
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) March 24, 2019
My scouting report has been filed to @DraftNetworkLLC
under the "Marino" tab. #NFLDraft https://t.co/DTw6vRjKMR pic.twitter.com/P964Kdeosl
Furthermore, I believe the Broncos may find value in Tarver on the third day. He has impressive size (6-3 215 pounds) and has proven himself to be “a good route runner and pass catcher” per Pigskin Prospects.
This Web site also dubs him “a scoring machine,” and the stats from 2018 at Utah State back this up. Tarver netted a team-high 8 scoring receptions, giving him 48 points on the season.
Tarver may slide to the third day because, again quoting Pigskin Prospects, “he has good speed does not have elite WR speed.”
Anyway, with the Broncos’ receiving corps having been stricken with injuries last season, perhaps someone like Tarver can be a solid value pick. Tarver, being an opportunistic and enterprising young man has bragged himself up with this highlight reel. Take a gander if you’d like to:
https://t.co/STBqe24Dez The chosen One.... @Popi1k_ pic.twitter.com/IDKMH7e7Ce
— Ron'quavion Tarver (@thegreat_3) March 4, 2019
Anyway, that’s my two cents on why I think the Broncos should be interested in Raymond, certainly and perhaps Tarver as well as Utah State conducts its pro day.
The Broncos have traditionally done well in drafting Aggies as tailback Rick Parros (409 touches, 1,956 yards, 11 total touchdowns) and defensive end Rulon Jones (52.5 sacks, 10 fumble returns) are among the prospects from Logan the franchise has done well with.