5 Tight Ends Denver Broncos Must Consider in 2015 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos have a huge need at the tight end position. Entering this offseason, three of their tight ends (Julius Thomas, Virgil Green, Jacob Tamme) are set to become unrestricted free agents. In fact, the Broncos only have one tight end (Dominique Jones) currently under contract for 2015.
Assuming the Broncos can’t re-sign Thomas, the main player to highlight of the three unrestricted free agents is Green. During his four-year career, Green has worked diligently to become a better blocker and good all-purpose tight end. Tamme is not the same player he used to be, and the Broncos might decide to let him go.
In free agency, the Broncos could target veteran tight end Owen Daniels. Under new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, Daniels put up solid numbers with both the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens. Adding Daniels would be unlikely to cost much, and he knows the Kubiak system like the back of his hand.
However, the Broncos need to target a young pass-catcher at the position. The Kubiak system often employs two-tight end sets. Denver needs a young tight end with an all-purpose skill set. That’s why they could be looking to fill the need at tight end in both free agency and the draft.
Here are five tight ends the Denver Broncos must consider in the 2015 NFL draft.
Maxx Williams, Minnesota
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Maxx Williams from Minnesota is arguably the best tight end in this draft class. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Williams is currently rated as the only first-round talent at the tight end position.
Williams is a top prospect to target for tight end-needy teams. His skill set reminds me of longtime Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
Like Witten, Williams is a smooth athlete who plays with a lot of heart. He can get to top speed in a hurry, and this helps him gain separation at the stem of his route. Williams does tend to lean in the direction he’s going, so more savvy NFL defenders might be able to stay with him over the middle.
Simply put, Williams is a playmaker. According to Lance Zierlein, from NFL.com, 82 percent of Williams’ catches in 2014 went for first downs or touchdowns. Williams is the type of player who will keep the chains moving with jaw-dropping catches when necessary.
Blocking is a problem for Williams at this time. He needs to gain more strength in an NFL weight program, and it would be a plus to see more intensity when asked to block. Williams needs to work on leverage and using his hands to get proper hand punch.
Williams is a weapon as a pass-catcher, but he's a work in progress as an all-purpose tight end. In the Gary Kubiak system, it would help his stock if he was a better blocker. The Broncos could anticipate he can improve with proper coaching.
Clive Walford, Miami
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The University of Miami has a long history of putting quality tight ends in the NFL. Whether it was former stars like Jeremy Shockey (New York Giants) or Kellen Winslow Jr. (Cleveland Browns), or current stars like Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers) or Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints), “The U” is known for supremely-talented tight ends.
Clive Walford could be the next in a long line of talented tight ends from Miami who make an impact at the pro level. Currently, NFLDraftScout.com has Walford rated as a potential second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Lance Zierlein, from NFL.com, compares Walford to Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen—and for good reason.
Walford is an athletic playmaker who makes difficult catches seem routine. He gets off the line of scrimmage quickly and can regularly attack the deep middle seam of the defense. While not overly fast, Walford does a good job of pulling away from pursuing defenders with the ball in his hands. He averaged over 15 yards per catch as a senior, and Walford also chipped in with seven touchdown receptions.
With outstanding hand-eye coordination, Walford has an enormous catch radius. He’ll catch passes that are just above the blades of grass, but he can also reach to the heavens to catch passes that are over his head. However, with 10 drops over the last two seasons Walford can lose focus from time to time.
He’s a good blocker and gives sound effort when asked to clear the way for a run play. Walford is likely to get even stronger in an NFL weight program.
Lack of consistency is the biggest problem for Walford. He can disappear for long stretches of time in games, and his drops seem to impact his confidence.
I watched Walford during the week of practice for the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl earlier this year and came away impressed. He will sacrifice his body to make a catch, and he looks to be fearless when running routes over the middle.
Jesse James, Penn State
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An interesting underclassman to consider is Penn State’s Jesse James. He is one of only four underclassmen to declare for the draft at the tight end position. Currently, NFLDraftScout.com has him rated as a potential third-round pick.
James immediately stands out on film because of his size and position versatility. Standing 6’7” and weighing 254 pounds, James has the size that gives defenders of all sizes trouble. He can line up as a traditional in-line tight end, as an H-back or out wide like a receiver. No matter the coverage (linebacker, safety, cornerback), James can get open and make plays.
His size makes him a great target in the red zone. It’s difficult for a smaller defender to get around a player of his size, and James will pluck the ball out of the air regularly at the highest point. During his three years at Penn State, James caught 11 touchdowns.
Like all young tight ends, James needs work as a blocker. The size-strength combination is there for him to be effective in that area, but his technique needs refinement.
This is not a great tight end class, but James is an intriguing pick because of his developmental upside.
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Nick Boyle, Delaware
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If the Broncos want to go with a small-school sleeper, then Nick Boyle from Delaware fits the bill. He has the size of a prototypical all-purpose tight end, but his skills need refinement.
Boyle has a large wingspan, and he can snatch passes poorly thrown passes regularly. He’ll catch passes properly with his arms extended away from his body, plus Boyle does a good job of securing the ball quickly and cleanly after making the catch.
His nuance as a pass-catcher comes through on film. Boyle does a good job of consistently squaring his large frame to the line of scrimmage when looking in a pass. This helps create the largest possible target for his quarterback.
His size (6’6”, 270 pounds) makes him an attractive target in the red zone. Over the last two seasons at Delaware, Boyle caught 11 touchdown passes. For his career, Boyle caught 101 passes for the Fightin’ Blue Hens.
Boyle’s game is rather lackluster when watching him as a blocker. He needs to show better energy, effort and technique when asked to run block. Boyle has the frame to be a good blocker, and perhaps he could develop that skill in a similar way to what we’ve seen Virgil Green do.
Earlier this year during the week of practice for the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl, Boyle looked coachable on the practice field. He seemed to listen intently while getting tips from his coaches. As a small-school prospect, Boyle did not look out of place against the nation’s best seniors.
Currently, NFLDraftScout.com has Boyle rated as a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick.
Blake Bell, Oklahoma
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A fantastic late-round prospect the Broncos should consider is Blake Bell from Oklahoma. Bell is a raw player at the tight end position, but his athleticism and upside might be the best of this entire draft class.
Originally a quarterback for the Sooners, Bell was converted to tight end in 2014. Bell caught 16 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns during his final season in college.
At 6’6”, 259 pounds, Bell has the size to create mismatches every time he’s lined up at tight end. Bell is too fast for linebackers to cover, and with his speed and athleticism he can regularly attack the deep middle seam of a defense. He’s too big for safeties to cover as he does a good job of using his frame to box out defenders and keep them away from the ball.
Earlier this year, during the week of practice for the 2015 East-West Shrine Game, Bell was among the standout players. That game has featured other tight ends with limited experience at the position that have gone on to make big plays in the NFL. Both Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos) and Jordan Cameron (Cleveland Browns) flashed their ability at the 2011 East-West Shrine Game despite only having one year of college experience each.
Bell could be that next sleeper tight end who pays off big dividends. The Broncos should certainly have interest in a prospect like Bell. Currently, NFLDraftScout.com has Bell listed as a potential sixth-round pick.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via Broncos media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.
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