Tag: Fullback

Here are Michael Burton’s contract details with the Broncos

Michael Burton’s cap hit (just over $1M) ranks 12th among 17 fullbacks. He’ll earn less than half of what the Texans will pay Andrew Beck.

The Denver Broncos signed two offensive linemen, a blocking tight end, a fullback and a running back early in free agency. It’s not hard to connect the dots: Broncos coach Sean Payton wants to run the ball in 2023.

Michael Burton, the team’s new fullback, agreed to a one-year, $1.3175 million contract with Denver on Tuesday. Burton received a $126,250 signing bonus and he will have a $26,250 roster bonus. That combined with his $1.165 million base salary will give Burton a 2023 salary cap hit of $1,092,500.

That will represent the 12th-highest salary cap hit among fullbacks in the NFL this season. Considering that only 17 teams carry fullbacks on their roster, another — perhaps more appropriate — way to put it would be saying Burton is the sixth-lowest paid FB in the league.

A good direct comparison is Andrew Beck, who the Broncos let walk in free agency this week. Beck signed a two-year deal with the Houston Texans and he will have a cap hit of $2,441,176 this year, seventh-highest among FBs.

Denver brought in a cheaper fullback who has a year of experience in a Sean Payton offense (2020 with the New Orleans Saints). It seems fair to say Burton was a good signing for the Broncos.

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Sean Payton’s Broncos to sign another former Saints player

Sean Payton’s Broncos are going to sign another former Saints player, having reached an agreement with Chiefs fullback Michael Burton:

It doesn’t seem to end. Yet another former New Orleans Saints standout is expected to join Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos — with fullback Michael Burton leaving the Kansas City Chiefs for a new deal with Denver, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Burton played for Payton in New Orleans during the 2019 and 2020 seasons before leaving for the Chiefs, and now they’re going to be reunited.

Payton’s Broncos recently signed former Saints practice squad wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, which followed the hirings of multiple old Saints assistant coaches and staffers. Payton siphoned a lot of talent out of New Orleans once he returned from hiatus, but it remains to be seen how well all of these new parts will work together with embattled franchise quarterback Russell Wilson.

Saints fans will get their up-close look at Payton’s Broncos team when they visit the Caesars Superdome for a game in 2024.

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Broncos signing fullback Michael Burton to 1-year contract

The Broncos are bringing in Super Bowl champion Michael Burton to serve as their new fullback.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent fullback Michael Burton, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The one-year deal will be worth $1.3175 million, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Burton (5-11, 242 pounds) will replace tight end/fullback Andrew Beck, who the Broncos let walk in free agency this week. Beck agreed to a two-year, $6.75 million contract with the Houston Texans on Monday.

Burton, 31, has spent time with five NFL teams, most recently with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2021-2022. He now lands with a division rival after winning Super Bowl LVII with the Chiefs last season.

In Denver, Burton will reunite with coach Sean Payton after he previously served as the New Orleans Saints’ fullback in 2020. Burton also spent time with the Saints in 2019, but only in the offseason.

Through eight seasons in the NFL, Burton has rushed 28 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns and totaled 18 receptions for 123 yards and another score as a receiver out of the backfield. His primary duty is blocking — it’s not a glamorous role, but it’s an important part of Payton’s offense.

After signing two offensive linemen, a blocking tight end, a running back and a fullback early in free agency, Payton seems to have sent a clear message that the Broncos plan to run early and often in 2023.

We are tracking all of Denver’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos lose free agent tight end to Texans

The Texans are signing former Broncos TE/FB Andrew Beck to a two-year, $6.25 million contract.

The Houston Texans are signing former Denver Broncos tight end/fullback Andrew Beck to a two-year, $6.25 million contract, according to Doug Kyed of AtoZ Sports Nashville.

Beck (6-3, 255 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas with the New England Patriots in 2019. After failing to make New England’s 53-man roster as a rookie, Beck was immediately picked up by the Broncos.

Beck played 16 games for Denver right away in his first season, earning six starts. He went on to spend three more years with the Broncos, earning four starts as a fullback last season.

Capable of playing both as a tight end and as a fullback, Beck hauled in 14 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown in four years (51 games) in Denver.

In Houston, Beck will reunite with former backfield partner Mike Boone, who has also agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Texans. Beck blocked for Boone and the Broncos’ other running backs from 2021-2022.

We are tracking all of the team’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

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Fullback Troy Hairston questionable with rib injury

Hairston is considered to be questionable for the remainder of the #Texans’ matchup against the #Browns in Week 13

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The Houston Texans are looking good in the second quarter of their matchup against the Cleveland Browns but may be without the services of their fullback Troy Hairston after he left the game with an injury to his ribs. He is considered questionable at this juncture, and his status for the rest of the game is unknown.

Hairston was targeted by quarterback Kyle Allen on a passing play near the goalline in the second quarter and took a hard hit as the defensive coverage collapsed on him. The play took place on a fourth down, and Houston would later score a safety on the ensuing possession by Cleveland.

The loss of their fullback could be a crushing blow to Houston’s offense if they intend to run the ball more in the second half. Hairston is a capable lead blocker, and would usually serve as an extra body to clear a path for Dameon Pierce on running plays.

Without him, Houston will need to sub a tight end at the position in sets that would usually feature fullbacks, or opt to only run in formations that do not involve designated lead blockers in the backfield.

Andrew Beck has carved out an important role in the Broncos’ offense

“It gives you a lot of options when he’s out on the field,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said of Swiss Army Knife Andrew Beck.

When Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said in March that Andrew Beck had a “great chance” to win the team’s fullback role, some fans and pundits brushed it off as coach speak. As preseason drew to a close last month, Beck wasn’t even a consensus pick in 53-man roster predictions.

Beck did make the team, though, and he served a key role on offense in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. The tight end/fullback hybrid caught two passes for 52 yards and delivered key blocks on multiple run plays.

Beck also had a would-be touchdown catch negated by a penalty.

“He’s a guy that when we evaluated him when he came in here, we thought that he was definitely going to be able to contribute to this football team with that personnel package,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday.

“I think that as he continually grows — now watching and being able to catch the ball and do things with it in his hands and split him out and bring him in — it gives you a lot of options when he’s out on the field.”

Beck might not have a huge role on offense every week, but he demonstrated in the team’s season opener that he’s more than capable of stepping up when called upon.

Playing a Swiss Army Knife position, Beck could end up being an unsung hero on offense for the Broncos this season.

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Broncos made a change on the practice squad

Dominique Dafney will presumably serve as a practice squad backup to Andrew Beck.

The Denver Broncos made a tight end swap on the practice squad Tuesday, signing Dominique Dafney and releasing Dylan Parham, the team announced.

Dafney (6-2, 243 pounds) was with the Green Bay Packers from 2020-2021, playing under then-Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Dafney was a tight end in Green Bay, but he earned second-team All-MVFC recognition as a fullback at Indiana State University in 2019.

Dafney’s experience at fullback likely means he’s going to provide depth behind Andrew Beck on Denver’s practice squad. Beck is also listed as a tight end, but the Broncos use him in a fullback-like role on offense.

In 15 career games with the Packers (four starts), Dafney caught four passes for 60 yards and one touchdown. He also played 106 snaps on special teams in Green Bay last season.

Beck was a key part of the Broncos’ offense in Week 1, catching two passes for 52 yards and delivering key blocks on several big runs. If anything happens to Beck during he season, Dafney would presumably be his replacement.

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Broncos’ Andrew Beck has done ‘a really good job’ learning FB role

If Andrew Beck makes the Broncos’ 53-man roster, he’ll play both as a tight end and as Nathaniel Hackett’s version of a fullback.

Nathaniel Hackett’s offense occasionally uses a fullback, but if Andrew Beck ends up making the 53-man roster, it won’t be simply because he has fullback experience.

Beck plays multiple positions and he can provide depth and experience at tight end in addition to filling the fullback role when it’s utilized. He’s not a lock to make the team, but Beck’s versatility helps his chances.

“He’s a guy that has come out here and played that swing position,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Tuesday. “He’s been both fullback, he’s been on the line, he’s been a ‘Y’ during 11-personnel, so he’s a guy that is kind of like a Swiss Army knife. He can do so many different things. He does a really good job stretching the field down vertically, but also has done a really good job learning the fullback position and how we want to do it.

“So where that goes, you never know. We want to be as multiple as possible. We want to take advantage of defenses, so as much as we can utilize him in that role we will.”

Denver’s presumed roster locks at tight end are Albert Okwuegbunam and rookie Greg Dulcich. After them, Eric Saubert is a veteran option and Eric Tomlinson is a top blocking candidate. Depending on how many TEs the Broncos decide to carry on the 53-man roster, Beck might have to beat out Saubert or Tomlinson for a spot on the active roster.

Beck will have one more preseason game on Saturday to prove that he belongs in the Hackett offense.

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Texans staking fullback role on Troy Hairston

The Houston Texans are putting all their chips on Troy Hairston for fullback.

The Houston Texans are investing in fullback. The battle throughout training camp and preseason was between Troy Hairston and Andy Janovich, but that battle has been decided.

The Texans released Janovich on Monday as part of their cuts to get at 80 players. As a result, Hairson, an undrafted free agent from Central Michigan, is the Texans’ lone fullback on the roster.

“He’s caught our eye throughout camp,” coach Lovie Smith told reporters on Monday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “Versatile player and was a defensive lineman in college, low linebacker. Normally those guys can transition over to the fullback position.”

Hairston caught a 4-yard pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the 24-20 win over the defending Super Bowl champions Aug. 19 at SoFi Stadium. The 5-11, 245-pound fullback also played 14 snaps on special teams.

“Brings a lot of athletic ability,” said Smith. “He’s an excellent special teams player, also good lead blocker. We like a lot of things that he’s done.”

With Hairston having a monopoly on fullback duties, it helps the Texans solidify a position as they prepare for their final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 25 at NRG Stadium.

How fullbacks are valued (and devalued) in today’s NFL

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick discusses the fullback position and how fullbacks are used in today’s NFL.

Over the last two decades, the fullback position has become an anomaly. Only a few teams in today’s game even have them on their roster let alone giving them consistent reps. On average, fullbacks that do see the field are only out there for 25% of their offensive snaps throughout a season.

In the early decades of the NFL, fullbacks were a critical part of the offenses, but when coaches started finding more efficient ways to score, they no longer relied on power on the ground to convert first downs and touchdowns. They went to the air instead. The more points, the better.

Today, almost no fullbacks even get selected in the draft. There has only been one fullback drafted over the last four years — the Baltimore Ravens selected Ben Mason in the fifth round in the 2021 NFL draft; and he was waived in less than a year.

They do say that history repeats itself, and since there is a need for faster and lighter linebackers, the fullback position may find its way back onto rosters in an attempt to counter defensive speed, with power.

It’s time to go over the top fullbacks around the league right now, how they help their offenses win in the modern NFL, and where those trends might be going.