Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Previous previews: quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. Today: tight ends
Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Re-signed Adam Trautman and Mike Burton (FB), released Chris Manhertz.
Under contract: Trautman (two years), Greg Dulcich (two years), Nate Adkins (two years), Lucas Krull (one year), Burton (one year).
Need scale (1-10): 6. If Dulcich (hampered by hamstring injuries) or Krull (inexperienced) emerges as a legitimately dangerous receiving threat, this number goes down. Neither can be fully counted on at this stage, however. Trautman is a Sean Payton guy and got the nod to return over Manhertz. He’s reliable, but as a receiver is not a threat. Adkins is an interesting player and has a chance to increase his role in Year 2. Payton loves to have a matchup problem at the position and is among the best at figuring out how to get that player the ball. But he needs that player healthy and available.
Top five
Brock Bowers, Georgia: At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Bowers has the kind of mismatch ability Payton covets. He’s dynamite after the catch. Limited to 10 games as a junior, but still had 714 yards and six TDs after 942 and seven in 2022. The only likely first-round pick of the group.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: Like Bowers a three-and-out college player who averaged 15.2 yards per catch as a junior. Doesn’t run particularly fast — 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine — but is dangerous in the receiving game at 6-4 and 250.
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State: A former walk-on, Sinnott had a big senior year with 676 yards and six TDs. Similar size (6-4, 250) and timed speed to Sanders (4.68 at combine). Compiled 1,123 receiving yards and 10 TDs over two years as a starter at KSU.
Theo Johnson, Penn State: The Canadian is big (6-6 and 259) and has athletic ability (4.57 in the 40). Never put up “wow” numbers in the receiving game but did have seven TDs on 34 grabs as a senior.
Cade Stover, Ohio State: All-around prospect who measured 6-4 and 247 at the combine. Had his best receiving season as a senior, catching 41 passes for 576 yards and five TDs.
Broncos options
Jared Wiley, TCU: Caught 47 passes for 520 yards and eight TDs in 2023, but probably better as a blocker than receiver. He was 6-6 and 249 at the combine and ran 4.62 in the 40.
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Jaheim Bell, Florida State: Different build at 6-2 and 241 pounds. Bell has potential as a receiver, though he never put up huge numbers at FSU. Best year was 2023, when he caught 39 passes for 503 and two TDs over 13 games.
Erick All, Iowa: Intriguing player but comes with injury questions at 6-4 and 252. All played four years at Michigan, then had 299 yards and three TDs in seven games at Iowa before tearing his ACL. Had injury issues at UM, too. Fun player when healthy.
A.J. Barner, Michigan: Big frame at 6-6 and 251. Barner’s not going to run past people, but he can do a little bit of everything else. Never had more than 28 catches in a season.
Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota: Like Barner, a big prospect at almost 6-7 and 260 pounds. Best year was 2022 (42 catches for 497). Six-year college player, but you could squint and see a red zone threat plus a solid blocker in the NFL.
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