The Denver Broncos need more out of their tight ends in 2024.
Last year, Denver placed last in the NFL in receiving yards from tight ends. They caught a tough break with Greg Dulcich hardly seeing the field, but after two years in the NFL it’s tough to believe he’s going to stay healthy.
Now Dulcich, 24, is the only real hope the Broncos have for production in the passing game. Starter Adam Trautman, 27, came back to Denver on a two-year deal. Lucas Krull, 25, and Nate Adkins, 24, appear to be viable depth options.
But the Broncos need some sort of help at tight end.
Here are five tight ends Denver should consider drafting…
Brock Bowers
Range: Day 1
Bowers is the top tight end in the draft, and it isn’t close.
It’s tough to call Bowers a generational tight end prospect because Kyle Pitts was a draft darling just three years ago. Pitts was a freak athlete with an unreal size-speed combination. He was a consensus All-American and John Mackey Award winner, which goes to the nation’s top tight end.
But, at least to me, Bowers holds equal value as a prospect.
His 882 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman were more than Pitts put up in any of his years at Florida. Bowers upped that to 942 yards in 2022.
Bowers looked like a lock for a top-five pick as far back as his freshman season. Now, he looks like a possibility at 12 thanks to the lack of value in the tight end position.
Bowers is gritty with great hands and he’ll be one of the top run-after-catch threats at the position the day he enters the league. He’s a plus lead blocker. There’s no reason he can’t be a 1,000-yard receiver in his first NFL season, just like Pitts was.
Ben Sinnott
Range: Day 2 or 3
It’s tough to project Sinnott perfectly.
At Kansas State, Sinnott moved around the formation. He won the Lowman Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top fullback. But only 91 of his offensive snaps came from the backfield. He played 483 snaps as an in-line tight end and 194 split out in the slot or out wide.
Sinnott is a weapon. He’s a very solid blocker. He’s best when he has a head of steam. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, he might not have the power to set he edge in the NFL, but he was just fine in college.
The excitement comes in the passing game, where he has a surprising ability to catch balls outside his frame and the power to make plays after the catch. He led the Wildcats with 676 receiving yards in his final season.
Still only 21, Sinnott can handle a variety of roles. He has proven production. He looks the part and has the perfect attitude for his position. He could be a chess piece for Sean Payton.
Jaheim Bell
Range: Day 3
Bell doesn’t have special traits. He’s only 6-foot-2. His 4.61-second 40-yard dash is fast but not freaky.
But what Bell lacks in traits, he makes up for in production. He posted more than 500 yards receiving for a Florida State team that went undefeated in 2023.
Bell is stout. He’s strong. He’s shifty. He’s loves contact. He’s probably the best run-after-catch tight end in the class behind Brock Bowers.
Bell can line up at various positions in the backfield, in-line, or in the slot. He’s a tremendous lead blocker and could be an easy release valve in the passing game.
While Bell may not ever be a great vertical threat or red-zone option because of his lack of size, he could provide versatility to Sean Payton’s offense, similar to Jonnu Smith.
Cade Stover
Range: Day 3
The reigning Big Ten tight end of the year has a skillset that I think will translate to NFL offenses.
He has enough speed to challenge the seam, but he’s at his best working underneath where he has a good feel for space and can serve as an outlet option when plays break down.
Stover is at his best after the catch where he has great balance and an incredible stiff arm. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he can grind out at least a few more yards every time he touches the ball.
He should be fine as a blocker but probably won’t ever be notable in that regard.
Erick All
Range: Day 3
Who doesn’t love an Iowa tight end?
All is this year’s version, after transferring in from Michigan for his final collegiate season.
It’s important when looking at All’s production to remember just how bad Iowa’s offense was. It was an all-time weak group. His 299 receiving yards don’t jump off the page, but they were the most of any Hawkeye. He tied for the team lead with three touchdowns.
All projects as a receiving tight end thanks to his solid athleticism and ability to make plays after the catch. He’s a solid blocker, thanks in part to his 6-foot-4, 252-pound frame, and he shouldn’t hold an offense back in the running game. The upside in the run game might be limited.
All, who will turn 24 in September, might never become a game breaker but he appears to be a solid option who could help boost the Broncos’ passing game right away.
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