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Denver Broncos: 3 free-agents who could still provide proper depth at tight end

By Travis Wakeman

Dec 13, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Trey Burton (80) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Trey Burton (80) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (55) and Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James (83) during the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (55) and Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James (83) during the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Heading into the 2021 NFL season, the Denver Broncos have done a great job patching holes on the roster.

But looking over the current 90-man roster, it’s easy to see a gap at tight end behind starter Noah Fant and his backup, Albert Okwuegbunam. The team might need a better third option than the ones it currently has.

The Broncos have Austin Fort, Eric Saubert, Shaun Beyer, and Andrew Beck on the roster. Between the four of them, they have 19 career catches.

Saubert could have the inside track as of this time to claim that third spot, but the options certainly are not great.

Adding to the issues is the idea that Okwuegbunam could potentially not be ready when the season opens as he recovers from a torn ACL. The Broncos may not see this as much of an issue as some of the fans do. Perhaps they are content with the players on the roster.

However, there are some experienced veterans available on the free-agent market who could each add to the depth on the roster.

Denver Broncos, Virgil Green
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 5: Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Virgil Green

Virgil Green is an unlikely option as he is now 32 years old, but he got his start with the Broncos’ organization and was one of the better blocking tight ends of his era. He spent seven seasons in Denver and was part of two teams that went to the Super Bowl.

After three lackluster seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Green is looking for work and at his age, that may never come. He was never much of a receiving threat and would be used primarily as a blocker for any team that brought him in.

Still, his familiarity with the Broncos makes him an intriguing option, and even at 32 years old, he might be a better option than Saubert, Fort, Beyer, and Beck.

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