Denver Broncos top 5 franchise building blocks for the future

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Noah Fant of Iowa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #20 overall by the Denver Broncos during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Noah Fant of Iowa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #20 overall by the Denver Broncos during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

4. Noah Fant, TE

Draft hierarchy plays somewhat of a role here, and we’re projecting because obviously unlike Sutton, Fant has never played a down in the NFL.

But the Broncos picked him 20th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft for a reason. Well, for a number of reasons, actually.

Fant is coming from an Iowa Hawkeyes program which just had two tight ends taken in the first round of the same draft. They are the first school to ever do that.

Fant was taken 12 spots after his teammate TJ Hockenson, but there’s no doubt he’s a dynamic playmaker at his position, capable of making a similar impact on games as another one of his former teammates, George Kittle.

Kittle has been a superstar in the NFL, especially after the catch. Fant is stepping into an offense run by Rich Scangarello, a disciple of Kyle Shanahan who obviously called the plays to help put Kittle in position to be so wildly productive.

Fant’s athletic metrics are very similar to those of Kittle’s, and he profiles as an instant contributor and impact player in the red zone.

He could be one of the NFL’s most dynamic tight ends before too long.

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