Broncos add new tight end to mix with signing of Nick Vannett

The Denver Broncos have made their big moves in free agency, now it’s time to add some depth at other spots.

The Broncos have pumped up their fanbase with the signings of Melvin Gordon and Graham Glasgow combined with the trades that have brought in A.J. Bouye and Jurrell Casey. The team chose to address the tight end position on Saturday with the signing of veteran Nick Vannett.

Vannett is a former third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. He was with them until last September when he was sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round draft pick.

Vannett can be a weapon in the passing game, but he will mostly be used for his ability to block in the run game. That is similar to how the Broncos use Jeff Heuerman, who will now be on the roster bubble with the addition of Vannett. Heuerman and Vannett were college teammates at Ohio State and both have followed a similar career trajectory. Check their career numbers out:

Heuerman: Third-round pick in 2015 (No. 92 overall): 63 receptions, 678 yards, 6 touchdowns

Vannett: Third-round pick in 2016 (No. 94 overall): 61 receptions, 591 yards, 4 touchdowns

Now, these former teammates could be battling it out for a roster spot this summer. Just some food for thought, but the Broncos can save nearly $4 million against the cap by cutting Heuerman with only a $500,000 hit in dead money.

Noah Fant is clearly the Broncos’ No. 1 tight end, but there are no guarantees beyond that. In addition to Heuerman and now Vannett, the Broncos also have Jake Butt, Troy Fumagalli and Austin Fort on the roster.

Vannett had his best year in 2018 with the Seahawks, catching 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers were hoping he could build on that as a receiving tight end when they made the move to get him, but he caught just 13 passes for them last season.

In Denver, his primary job will be to open holes in the rushing attack for Gordon and Phillip Lindsay. He has every chance to be the team’s No. 2 tight end if he can outperform Heuerman in camp and preseason games.