The Denver Broncos’ competition for roster spots is getting intense already at training camp, and Austin Fort has been showing out so far.
The Denver Broncos have an intense competition going for their 53 roster spots, especially on the offensive side of the ball at the skill positions.
One player turning heads already through four days of training camp is undrafted rookie tight end Austin Fort out of Wyoming.
Fort, who we wrote about in the dead days of the offseason, was once competing against Josh Allen for the quarterback spot at Wyoming before transferring away to play QB elsewhere, then coming back to Wyoming to play tight end, catching passes from Allen.
Fort is an exceptional athlete. His pro day numbers would have generated a lot of buzz had he been invited to the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 238 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.61 seconds
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches
3-cone: 6.94 seconds
Being a converted quarterback, it’s all the more shocking how good of a receiver Fort is and has been through the first few days of camp. Considering his overall lack of production or usage in college, it’s even more surprising the Broncos were able to find this guy.
He tied for fifth on the Cowboys with — get this — seven receptions last year.
The year prior, with the first-round pick Allen as his quarterback, Fort caught 10 passes, tied for seventh on the team.
With just 17 catches in two seasons, the Broncos were banking on potential with Fort. He’s proving their scouting department right so far through camp.
Vic Fangio was asked about Fort, and had some really nice things to say about him.
"“He’s a good athlete. Like you said, he’s catching some balls. I think he’s getting better. He’s a guy that kind of established himself here early that, ‘Hey, this guy’s a prospect not just an off-the-street guy.’ We’ll see. We have hope, but it’s early.”Vic Fangio (quotes via Broncos PR)"
I love how Fangio put that, saying that he’s not, “just an off-the-street guy.” That’s a phenomenal compliment for the rookie to receive from the head coach, and he’s certainly been getting noticed by everyone throughout camp.
If you go through all four days of Broncos camp highlights, you’re going to see plays being made by Fort in all four days.
Training camp is a great time to highlight guys who are coming out of the woodwork, but we also don’t want to over-hype guys who are just getting their feet wet.
As Fangio said, it’s early, but there’s reason for optimism here.