Jeff Heuerman

Heuerman posted career highs across the board last year, his third in the NFL, even though injuries limited him to 11 games. Playing 555 snaps, he saw 48 targets, though he was unable to show good metrics in terms of either catch percentage (63.3) or YPT (5.9). Heuerman is likely a sub-replacement level player, and he's unlikely to see as much work going forward if Jake Butt (knee), Troy Fumagalli and first-round pick Noah Fant are available.

The Broncos drafted Heuerman in the third round of the 2015 draft, convinced that the coaching staff could turn him into the receiver he never was in Ohio State's run-heavy attack. He promptly tore his ACL and now, three years and just 18 catches later, enters a contract year having proved little thus far. The good news is that Denver did not make any big plays for a tight end in free agency or the draft. The bad news is that 2017 draftee Jake Butt is turning some heads early in team activities. Heuerman is a willing blocker and has posted an impressive 15.7 yards per catch during his career, but it's fair to wonder why things will suddenly turn around now if they haven't already.

It might be sink or swim for Heuerman in 2017. Denver's 2015 third-round pick looked like he was heading into a plum position, the tight end of the future for then-head coach, Gary Kubiak, who loved utilizing the tight end. A torn ACL in spring practice derailed those plans, and Heuerman has yet to fully get back on track. He caught just nine passes last season for a solid 15.7 yards per catch. He'll have an opportunity to take a step forward in 2017, but he faces a logjam at the position. Virgil Green, a far better blocker than receiver, is still the favorite to start the season as the team's in-line starter. In the past year, Denver has also invested two fifth-round picks in other tight ends -- A.J. Derby in a trade with New England and Jake Butt in this year's draft. Derby most likely slots in as Denver's flex tight end in 2017 and if Heuerman doesn't overtake Green in the traditional Y position, Butt may move past him to do so in 2018.

Following the departure of Julius Thomas last offseason, the Broncos seemed to have addressed the tight end group by resigning Virgil Green and adding veteran Owen Daniels. Somewhat surprisingly, the team invested a third-round pick in Heuerman despite tight end not being a position of immediate need. He went down early in the offseason with a torn ACL, but is back in time to help replace Daniels this term. Heuerman didn't catch the ball much at Ohio State, just 52 times in four years, but head coach Gary Kubiak has said that Heuerman's ability to catch the ball exceeds his college production. With veteran Garrett Graham and Green, who has been used more in an H-back role, as his primary competitors, it would not be a surprise to see Heuerman lined up as the Broncos' top tight end come Week 1.

Heuerman was drafted in the third round (92nd overall) in this year’s draft to help fill the void left by Julius Thomas. However, he was never much of a pass-catcher at Ohio State, though his solid size (6-foot-5, 254 pounds) makes him a big target in the red zone. Unfortunately, Heuerman tore his ACL in his first practice, and will consequently miss the entire 2015 season.