Broncos need more pass-catching punch from the tight end position — again

There were sparks from the Broncos tight ends last year. Take Adam Trautman’s one-handed touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers, for example.

It’s just that there weren’t enough of them.

And that’s why so much of the speculation as to the Broncos’ offseason plan has centered around what they will do at the position. Because once again, the Broncos’ tight-end corps ranked near the bottom of the NFL in pass-catching production.

To wit:

• Times targeted: 72 — Rank: 30 (2023 rank: 30)
• Receptions: 51 – Rank: 30 (2023 rank: 32)
• Receiving yardage: 483 – Rank: 30 (2023 rank: 32)
• First downs via reception: 21 – Rank: 32 (2023 rank: 32)
• Touchdown catches: 5 – Rank: T-13 (2023 rank: T-19)
• Percentage of passes targeted to TEs: 12.6% – Rank: 30 (2023 rank: 30)
• Percentage of receptions made by TEs: 13.5% – Rank: 31 (2023 rank: 31)
• Percentage of receiving yards made by TEs: 12.7% – Rank: 31 (2023 rank: 31)
• Percentage of passing first downs by TEs: 12.3% – Rank: 31 (2023 rank: 30)
• Percentage of passing touchdowns scored by TEs: 16.7% – Rank: T-18 (2023 rank: T-23)

So, the Broncos improved their ranking in four categories, stood pat in five and dropped in one.

Progress from last year? Technically, yes.

They did all right in the blocking aspects of the game — with Nate Adkins emerging as one of the league’s better blocking tight ends, while also grabbing 3 touchdown receptions.

But by and large, the discussion is similar to where it was a year ago, with one exception: There’s no longer chatter about the possibilities of Greg Dulcich. Injuries short-circuited his first two seasons. A lack of production felled him in Year 3 — just five catches and two crucial drops in the first four games of the season. Having seen enough, the Broncos deactivated him for the next eight games before finally cutting him on Nov. 25.

In Dulcich — and even Lucas Krull — the Broncos went into the offseason with a pair of young, intriguing pass-catching options at the position. But Dulcich flamed out and Krull never really launched as hoped. He led Denver tight ends in receptions, but that modest tally — 19 catches — certainly wasn’t the production Denver hoped to find after giving him 13 games of work.

Which leads the Broncos to a decent free-agent class and one of the best draft classes at the position in years. As was the case with quarterback last year, draft depth and Broncos need aligns well.

WHERE THE BRONCOS TIGHT ENDS STAND

STARTER:

• Adam Trautman

You know what you’re getting with Trautman: dependable blocking, a credible — if seldom-used — dynamic pass-catching threat and leadership within the tight-end room. He also understands Sean Payton’s methodology perhaps better than anyone in the locker room, which can help with younger players who sometimes need another voice to convey “why” to go along with the “what.”

This is why Trautman still has plenty of value — especially if the Broncos go for an early-round tight end from a group that includes Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland, Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr., Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, Texas’ Gunnar Helm and LSU’s Mason Taylor, among others.

Denver might be drafting Trautman’s long-term replacement, but there ought to remain a rotational role for him.

RESERVES:

• Lucas Krull
• Nate Adkins

Krull was an offseason standout last year, but was not able to convert more snaps into greater production, and his blocking remained a work in progress for most of the year. His pass-catching production also tailed off as the season progressed; after accumulating 75 yards on eight receptions in his first four games, he had 79 yards on 12 catches in the next 10 contests, including the playoff loss.

The reality is that at minimum, the Broncos are looking for a more consistent option as the primary “F” tight end to operate in space.

Adkins can effectively line up as a fullback or H-back, which brings forward a discussion of where he fits in the backfield calculus — and whether he has advanced enough to handle full-time fullback roles, which have belonged to Michael Burton the last two seasons.

Practice-squad rookie Thomas Yassmin signed a reserve-future contract just after the season. Denver is playing the long game with the former rugby player, and it would be no surprise if he lands on the practice squad again this season to continue his development. His athleticism is intriguing.

EXPIRING CONTRACTS:

• None.

The real question here is how many contracts they add. New Orleans’ Juwan Johnson could make sense; the converted wide receiver had career highs in receptions (50) and yards (548) last season, giving him more yards and receptions than Denver’s entire tight-end corps had as a collective.

The recently-cut Gerald Everett, Cincinnati’s Mike Gesicki, Tyler Conklin of the New York Jets and the ageless Zach Ertz — who returned to his old form after a pair of injury-wrecked seasons in Arizona — would all represent upgrades.

What’s more, they could buy the Broncos time if they choose to draft a tight end beyond the first round. Loveland and Warren are likely Day One starters, but potential picks such as Fannin and Arroyo likely need a longer runway time. Any of these free-agent pickups would provide that.