Denver Broncos Draft Countdown: Making the Case for TE Maxx Williams

The Denver Broncos are picking near the end of the first round once again. As a perennial playoff team, the Broncos are getting used to finding the best player available as the first day of the draft is drawing to a close.

Surfing around the web and looking at mock drafts, Broncos fans find that most of them have their team taking a right tackle in the first round. While right tackle is a need, Broncos general manager John Elway could be aiming to throw a curveball with the team’s first pick.

The Broncos are implementing an offense that will regularly feature two tight ends. New head coach Gary Kubiak has been successful in the NFL running this offense for years. Depth at tight end is not only good to have, it’s a must for a team with this offense in place.

This team needs to add Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams in the first round—here’s why.

College Career

Williams has football in his blood.

His grandfather, Robert, played quarterback at Notre Dame in the late '50s and could have turned pro had he not become a doctor instead. His father, Brian, played collegiately at Minnesota, was a first-round pick in the 1989 NFL draft and spent 10 seasons with the New York Giants. His mother, Rochelle, was a collegiate volleyball player at Minnesota as well.

As you can see, Williams was a natural-born athlete.

He chose Minnesota over offers from other Division I programs, and he redshirted in 2012. It didn’t take long for Williams to make an impact for the Gophers in 2013, and he started seven games, catching 25 passes for 417 yards and five touchdowns.

Williams continued to prove his value in 2014. He led the Gophers in receptions last year, hauling in 36 catches. Williams racked up 569 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as well.

His greatest game as a collegian might have been his final game with Minnesota. In the 2015 Citrus Bowl against Missouri, Williams caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was one of the best plays of the bowl season—he scored a 54-yard touchdown, leaping over defenders on his way to the end zone.

Skill Set

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Williams has a skill set similar to that of Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. Like Witten, Williams is a fluid athlete who can get open on underneath routes. Williams is a fearless player when going over the middle, and he’s actively aggressive when running after the catch. He’ll lower his pads to deliver a blow and keep his legs charging after contact.

While not a seam-ripper, Williams does have enough speed to make him difficult to match up with. He’s too fast for most linebackers to cover, but he’s also too big and too strong for safeties to contend with.

Williams does a good job with the ball in his hands and can consistently move the chains. He has the flexibility to make difficult catches, and Williams has the footwork to make plays near the sideline.

As a blocker (incredibly important in the Broncos' new offense), Williams does a good job of squaring up to his man. He’s a physical player who understands his role when asked to help blast open holes for the ground game.

Williams can line up all over the field. He has the ability to play in-line tight end, but he can also line up in the slot or out wide like a receiver.

Imagine Julius Thomas as a better blocker, and you have Williams.

Earlier this year at the scouting combine, Williams showed off his speed with a 4.78-second 40-yard dash. His explosion was on display as he recorded a 34.5-inch vertical leap, and his strength showed as well when Williams pushed up 225 pounds 17 times.

The Competition

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

At this time, the Broncos are set at the tight end position in terms of two starters. They kept Virgil Green around, signing the 2011 seventh-round pick to a new long-term deal. Green is mostly known as a devastating blocker, but he is a seriously underrated receiver who could set a career high for catches in 2015.

In addition to keeping Green, the Broncos went out and signed veteran tight end Owen Daniels in free agency. Daniels has played almost every snap of his career under Kubiak. He was originally a fourth-round pick by the Kubiak-led Houston Texans in 2006, and Daniels followed Kubiak to the Baltimore Ravens in 2014.

Daniels knows this offense like the back of his hand, and he’ll be able to put up solid numbers for the Broncos this season—if he can stay healthy. He’s a fine player, but Daniels hasn’t played a full 16-game season since 2008. In fact, Daniels has only played a full season twice (2007, 2008) in his nine-year pro career. Just two years ago, Daniels missed 11 games for the Houston Texans.

The Broncos need to be ready in case the injury bug continues to bite Daniels. Behind Green and Daniels, the team doesn’t have much at the position.

They added Joe Don Duncan earlier this year, but the Broncos worked him out at fullback—not tight end—and that’s where he’s expected to play in 2015 if he stays healthy and makes the final roster. James Casey was also added, but he’s more of an H-back and a jack of all trades but a master of none.

Daniels is no spring chicken either, and Denver needs to have a talented young tight end to groom behind him. Also, while Green is an underrated receiver, he’s likely maxed out as a second tight end in the NFL. Williams is a true TE1 who can step in and start from day one as a reliable receiver.

Summary

Many Broncos fans talk about the need at right tackle, but the need at tight end may take precedent. There will still likely be talented right tackles on the board when the Broncos draft in the second round. However, this is not a great tight end class, and Williams is clearly head and shoulders above others available.

Elway’s draft philosophy has been “best player available” ever since he took over for the Broncos. Team need does not rule the roost for Elway, as he’s looking for supreme talent first—regardless of the depth already on the team.

If Williams is on the board at 28th overall, it would be difficult to find any player better than him.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.