Denver Broncos potentially shocking cut no. 3: Eric Saubert, TE
Through the first couple of preseason games, one of the more surprising observations I’ve made is the use of the fullback in the “base” offense. We know the Broncos aren’t going out there and trying to show a bunch of stuff for the regular season, so perhaps this means nothing, but Andrew Beck’s inclusion early and somewhat often could mean this team intends on utilizing a fullback more than we anticipated.
Head coach Nathaniel Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten came from Green Bay where Josiah Deguara was a hybrid player like Beck — a tight end who could move around and play some fullback as well — so perhaps we should have expected a player like this to be included in the offense.
Beck is listed on the Broncos’ “unofficial” first depth chart as the TE3, which could mean nothing, or perhaps that’s their way of saying he’s not really on the outside looking in. We know Beck can play a versatile role as well as special teams, but his inclusion in the lineup could lead to the shocking release of Eric Saubert.
Saubert had a really strong start to training camp, even earning a bunch of reps with the top offense. Albert Okwuegbunam has seemingly been the clear TE1 all of camp while Greg Dulcich has had to deal with a nagging hamstring injury.
Eric Tomlinson appears poised to be the team’s top blocking option at the tight end position, so is it possible that Saubert’s best bet at the Broncos’ roster is initially on the practice squad? Again, that would fall into the “shocking” category, at least for me. I felt like Saubert had borderline become a roster lock but if Beck is on the team and Tomlinson is a lock, Saubert could be the odd man out.