Is Tommy Tremble a viable draft option for the Broncos?
What if the Broncos drafted a tight end who wasn’t Kyle Pitts?
In previous years, the Denver Broncos have struggled to find formidable tight ends. It wasn’t until the last two years that the Broncos have seemingly finally struck gold in back-to-back drafts with Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam.
For the time being, the future seems bright with both matchup nightmares slowly rising to their potential. However, until their play becomes more refined and consistent, the Broncos should allow themselves to keep their options open.
Obviously, the perfect opportunity presents itself this year as the Broncos could decide to select the best tight end in this year’s draft, Kyle Pitts. The transcending talent out of Florida is a freak of nature, who’s Pro Day sent his draft stock through the roof; so much so that there is talk around the league that he may be selected inside the first 10 picks.
Now, with the Broncos holding the No. 9 overall pick this year, the possibility is there. Last month when addressing the media, general manager George Paton made it clear how he intends to tackle his first draft with the Broncos.
"We did a good job in free agency filling needs. So now we can just draft the best player available. That was the goal from the very beginning, try to fill as many needs as we can in free agency. Now when we get to the draft, we take the best player.George Paton (via Broncos PR)"
The possibilities for the Broncos with the ninth overall pick are endless and can vary greatly depending on how the draft plays out. The jury is still out as to whether the team will even stay put at the No. 9 spot come draft day.
If the Broncos do decide to take Pitts this year, it will cost them their first-round pick and quite possibly even more.
For the sake of the argument, let us say the Broncos go in a different direction in the first round. Who could the Broncos draft at TE if they decided to address the position further down the draft?
Tommy Tremble, tight end, Notre Dame.
Now Tommy Tremble doesn’t exactly come off as a vertical threat who puts fans in a craze, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of becoming one down the stretch.
Tremble’s game primarily stems from his run-blocking and physicality on and off the line, a useful trait that would be handy in play-action and two tight-end sets.
Last season, Tremble’s 83.7 run-blocking grade was the best among tight ends in the country, according to PFF. He became an impact type player for Notre Dame’s offense regardless of the type of down.
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Where Tremble’s game tends to lack is in the pass-catching department. While at Notre Dame, Tremble was forced to take the backseat to the likes of Cole Kmet and true freshman Michael Mayer in an offense that primarily leaned on its run game.
After wrapping up his two-year collegiate career, Tremble totaled 35 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns. While these stats may not jump off the screen, his physical traits placed under the right scheme can certainly help him reach a high ceiling at the pro level.
Tremble holds tremendous value at the right price. He is a raw, yet extremely talented player who can develop into something much greater down the road for the Broncos. His tenacity and explosiveness are elements that the Broncos have lacked on offense for some time.
With players like Jake Butt and Nick Vannett out of Denver, it could be wise to fill the tight end room with a talent like Tremble who can complement Fant and Okwuegbunam.