Broncos cut tight end Jeff Heuerman

The Broncos have cut tight end Jeff Heuerman.

The Denver Broncos have cut veteran tight end Jeff Heuerman, the team announced Friday.

Heuerman (6-5, 254 pounds) was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft out of Ohio State. He missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL and he missed four games with injuries in 2016.

Heuerman has battled injuries throughout his career, missing two games in 2017, five games in 2018 and two games last season. His best season came two years ago when he caught 31 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Denver selected Noah Fant in the first round of last year’s draft and Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round of this year’s draft. The Broncos also signed Nick Vannett during free agency, making Heuerman expendable.

Behind Fant, Vannett and Okwuegbunam, Denver also has Jake Butt, Troy Fumagalli, Austin Fort and Andrew Beck at tight end.

After placing Beck on their Reserve/COVID-19 list and parting ways with Heuerman, the Broncos now have 78 players on their offseason roster.

Heuerman, 27, has four seasons of experience in the NFL. He has caught 63 passes for 678 yards and five touchdowns in his career.

[vertical-gallery id=644127]

Denver Broncos depth chart prediction: Tight end

Which tight ends will make the Broncos’ 53-man roster?

As we continue our 2020 depth chart prediction series for the Denver Broncos, today we’re going to be looking at the tight end position.

Previously, we predicted the QB and RB depth charts.

TE1: Noah Fant

Believe it or not, Fant didn’t begin last season as the team’s No. 1 tight end. After a strong rookie season, he’s a lock to serve as the primary TE in 2020.

TE2: Nick Vannett

Vannett will probably be used primarily as a blocker so he’s not an exciting player but his experience might help him beat out Albert Okwuegbunam for TE2 duties, at least initially.

TE3: Albert Okwuegbunam

Okwuegbunam will be an exciting prospect to watch because he played with quarterback Drew Lock in college. That connection could help him rise up the depth chart during the season.

Pages: 12

3 players Broncos should try to trade during the NFL draft

Broncos should try to trade these three players during the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Denver Broncos are scheduled to have 10 picks in the draft this year, including five picks in the first three rounds. With so much draft capital, the Broncos will probably trade several picks to move up the board several times during the draft.

As they attempt to make trades, the Broncos should consider including these three players in negotiations. (In addition to adding value to trades, Denver will also need to create some roster spots for undrafted free agents.)

1. LT Garett Bolles

Bolles has done a great job staying healthy but he hasn’t done a great job playing mistake-free football. If the Broncos add an offensive tackle early in the draft, getting a late-round pick in a trade for Bolles would make sense.

Pages: 12

Broncos only have 4 players remaining from Super Bowl roster

Five years after winning the Super Bowl, the Broncos only have four players remaining from their 2015 roster.

After losing cornerback Chris Harris and defensive end Derek Wolfe in free agency, the Denver Broncos now have just four players remaining from their 2015 Super Bowl-winning roster.

Here’s a look at the team’s roster from 2015 and an update on where the players are now.

Player	Current Status
4. P Britton Colquitt	With Minnesota Vikings
8. K Brandon McManus	Still with team
10. WR Emmanuel Sanders	With New Orleans Saints
11. WR Jordan Norwood	Retired
12. WR Andre Caldwell	Retired
13. QB Trevor Siemian	Free Agent
14. WR Cody Latimer	With Washington Redskins
16. WR Bennie Fowler	Free Agent
17. QB Brock Osweiler	Retired
18. QB Peyton Manning	Retired
20. DB Josh Bush	Free Agent
21. CB Aqib Talib	Free Agent
22. RB C.J. Anderson	Free Agent
23. RB Ronnie Hillman	Free Agent
25. CB Chris Haris	With Los Angeles Chargers
26. DB Darian Stewart	Free Agent
29. CB Bradley Roby	With Houston Texans
30. DB David Burton	Retired
31. DB Omar Bolden	Retired
33. DB Shilo Keo	Free Agent
35. RB Kapri Bibbs	Free Agent
36. DB Kayvon Webster	Free Agent
37. CB Lorenzo Doss	Free Agent
40. RB Juwan Thompson	Retired
43. DB T.J. Ward	Retired
46. LS Aaron Brewer	With Arizona Cardinals
48. OLB Shaq Barrett	With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
51. ILB Todd Davis	Still with team
52. ILB Corey Nelson	Free Agent
53. OL James Ferentz	Free Agent
54. ILB Brandon Marshall	Free Agent
55. LB Lerentee McCray	With Jacksonville Jaguars
56. OLB Shane Ray	Free Agent
58. OLB Von Miller	Still with team
59. ILB Danny Trevathan	With Chicago Bears
61. OL Matt Paradis	With Carolina Panthers
65. OG Louis Vasquez	Retired
68. OL Ryan Harris	Retired
69. OG Evan Mathis	Retired
73. OL Max Garcia	With Arizona Cardinals
74. OL Ty Sambrailo	With Tennessee Titans
76. OL Tyler Polumbus	Retired
78. OT Ryan Clady	Retired
79. OL Michael Schofield	Free Agent
80. TE Vernon Davis	Retired
81. TE Owen Daniels	Retired
82. TE Jeff Heuerman	Still with team
84. TE Mitchell Henry	Died in 2017 from acute myeloid leukemia
85. TE Virgil Green	With Los Angeles Chargers
88. WR Demaryius Thomas	Free Agent
89. TE Richard Gordon	Free Agent
90. DL Antonio Smith	Free Agent
91. DL Kenny Anunike	Free Agent
92. DT Sylvester Williams	With Los Angeles Chargers
94. OLB DeMarcus Ware	Retired
95. DE Derek Wolfe	With Baltimore Ravens
96. DL Vance Walker	Free Agent
97. DL Malik Jackson	With Philadelphia Eagles
98. DL Darius Kilgo	With Detroit Lions

[vertical-gallery id=632547]

Bears have been exploring potential trades at tight end

If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that the Bears are doing everything to ensure that tight end won’t be an issue in 2020.

The Bears are doing their due diligence when it comes to the tight end position this offseason. This after a season where Chicago’s tight ends collectively failed to make any positive impact in an overall disappointing season.

There have been reports that Chicago is interested in pursing free-agent-to-be Austin Hooper, who is certainly the best tight end set to hit free agency. While the Bears would certainly love to bring in one of the game’s best to fix a position integral to Matt Nagy’s offense, it doesn’t seem likely.

Given the Bears’ salary cap situation, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to afford someone like Hooper, whose going rate looks to be around $10 million per season in what’s poised to be a competitive market.

But that doesn’t mean Chicago’s options at tight end are completely off the table. According to The Athletic‘s Adam Jahns, the Bears have been inquiring about potential trades at tight end.

One of those names that Jahns mentioned could be available is former first-round pick Hayden Hurst. He’s competing with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle for playing time with the Ravens, and perhaps the Bears could get Baltimore to listen to a possible offer.

Other names mentioned as possible targets include Tampa’s Cameron Brate, Denver’s Jeff Heuerman, Pittsburgh’s Vance McDonald, Tennessee’s Delanie Walker and Green Bay’s Jimmy Graham.

Chicago has already added Demetrius Harris, who has experience in Nagy’s offense. Harris’ one-year $1.15 million deal gives the Bears some financial leeway to bring in another veteran acquisition given their salary cap limitations.

The Bears have also spent plenty of time talking to tight end prospects, and it wouldn’t be a surprise for Chicago to select a tight end in the NFL Draft.

If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that the Bears are doing everything to ensure that tight end won’t be an issue in 2020. But that remains to be seen.

[lawrence-related id=439429,439319,439346,439274]

Broncos 2019 positional grades: Tight end

The Broncos had 69 receptions from tight ends in 2019 and 40 of them came from rookie Noah Fant. Denver needs another TE to step up.

Getting back to our positional grades series, it’s now time to look back at the tight ends for the Denver Broncos for 2019.

Tight end, at least in terms of having one that can stretch the field and be an offensive threat, is something the Broncos had lacked for quite some time. That is largely why the team used its first-round pick on a tight end in 2019.

Let’s take a look at how each of the team’s tight ends graded out this past season.

Noah Fant

Stats

Receptions: 40

Receiving yards: 562

Touchdowns: 3

Fant got off to a slow start for the team and there were some fans already frustrated over the fact that the team traded out of the No. 10 spot where it could have drafted Devin Bush and into the No. 20 slot where Fant was selected.

Perhaps some still are.

But Fant turned it on toward the end of the season and ended up being second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. With the ball in his hands, he becomes a serious threat, quick and agile for a tight end. That is what the Broncos drafted him for.

Fant played in all 16 games and earned some great experience. The ceiling is high for him and he should be expected to be one of the team’s best offensive weapons for many years to come.

Grade: B-

Pages: 1234

3 Broncos who may become cap casualties

The Denver Broncos could save nearly $18 million against the salary cap by moving on from these three players.

The Denver Broncos could potentially save some money against the salary cap this offseason by releasing three veteran players.

Of course, there is still the contract of Joe Flacco on the books and the decision on what to do with him remains to be seen. Will the team be able to talk him into sticking around as a veteran backup to Drew Lock, or will the Broncos cut ties and choose to eat over $13 million in dead money?

Though that sounds like a lose-lose situation to many, there are some moves the team can make to get some money back.

Recently, I have talked about pending free agents the team should move on from as well as free agents the team should re-sign. But in order to fully evaluate the roster, the team must also consider players that are not scheduled to become free agents.

The three players below are all guys that the Broncos could and probably should move on from due to a combination of lack of production as well as a way to get back some cap space.

All figures were taken from Over the Cap.

1. Ron Leary, guard

Dead money: $875,000

Cap savings: $8.5 million

Leary has a club option for the 2019 season and the Broncos choosing not to pick that up is a no-brainer.

The signing of the veteran offensive lineman seemed like a great move when it was made, but he has been a disappointment for the team.

Leary has yet to play in a full 16-game season for the Broncos and out of a possible 48 games, he has played in just 29 as various injuries have forced him to end multiple seasons on injured reserve.

Pages: 12

WATCH: Broncos QB Drew Lock throws TD pass to Jeff Heuerman

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock threw a touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Heuerman against the Texans in Week 14.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Heuerman against the Houston Texans in the second quarter of Sunday’s game.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter page:

🙌🙌🙌#DENvsHOU pic.twitter.com/0ErUVqq8eR

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 8, 2019

Heuerman’s touchdown extended Denver’s lead to 21-0.

[vertical-gallery id=628913]

Broncos injuries: Heuerman and James doubtful to play Sunday

Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) are doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

The Denver Broncos are placing cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve. The team considers tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) doubtful to play Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

If Heuerman is inactive this week, Troy Fumagalli and Andrew Beck will likely get more snaps than usual at tight end. If James is inactive, Elijah Wilkinson will fill in again at right tackle.

The Broncos’ complete injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate. N/L = not listed. IR = injured reserve.

Player	Injury	Wed	Thur	Fri	Status
CB Bryce Callahan	Foot	DNP	DNP	DNP	IR
TE Jeff Heuerman	Knee	Limited	Limited	Limited	Doubtful
OT Ja’Wuan James	Knee	Limited	Limited	Limited	Doubtful
CB Duke Dawson	Foot	Full	Full	Full
RB Phillip Lindsay	Wrist	Full	Full	Full
DB Will Parks	Hand	Full	Full	Full
DE DeMarcus Walker	Shoulder	Full	Full	Full
WR DaeSean Hamilton	Knee	N/L	Limited	Limited	Questionable

The Minnesota Vikings’ complete injury report can be seen below.

Player	Injury	Wed	Thur	Fri	Status
DT Linval Joseph	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
OG Josh Kline	Concussion	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
DT Shamar Stephen	Knee	DNP	Full	Full
WR Adam Thielen	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
CB Mackensie Alexander	Groin	Limited	Full	Full
DB Anthony Harris	Groin	Limited	DNP	DNP	Out
OL Brett Jones	Knee	Limited	DNP	IR	IR
DB Andrew Sendejo	Groin	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable
CB Trae Waynes	Ankle	Limited	Full	Full
FB C.J. Ham	Ankle	Full	Full	Full
LB Eric Kendricks	Hip	Full	Full	Full
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo	Shoulder	Full	Full	Full
CB Xavier Rhodes	Elbow	Full	Full	Full
DT Armon Watts	Elbow	Full	Full	Full

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 11:00 a.m. MT (view the TV map here).

[vertical-gallery id=627611]

Broncos CB Bryce Callahan will try to practice Tuesday

Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) is expected to return to practice Tuesday.

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (thumb) isn’t the only injured player expected to return to practice Tuesday. Broncos coach Vic Fangio said during his Monday press conference that cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) will try to practice as well.

“Yeah, I believe he’s going to try to practice tomorrow and we’ll see [how it goes],” Fangio said.

Callahan suffered a foot injury while playing with the Chicago Bears last year and the injury has prevented him from playing this season. The cornerback had a procedure to try to speed up the healing process in late September and was given a recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks.

We’re now more than six weeks removed from that procedure.

Wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand), safety Will Parks (hand) and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (shoulder) are also expected to practice Tuesday. Patrick is still on injured reserve but he might be activated to the 53-man roster later this week.

Fangio also said tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) might be able to practice and it’s “up in the air” whether offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) will be able to practice or not. James has missed all but two games this year.

[vertical-gallery id=627411]