Tag: Nate Adkins

Broncos’ rookie TE/FB Nate Adkins is ‘a coach’s dream’

“He’s a coach’s dream because he can do so many different things,” Broncos GM George Paton said of rookie TE/FB/special teamer Nate Adkins.

Nate Adkins wasn’t a household name in April.

Most NFL fans probably hadn’t heard of the South Carolina tight end going into the draft. The Denver Broncos knew who he was, though, and the team likely would have drafted Adkins if they had more than just five picks.

After roster cuts last week, Broncos general manager George Paton praised Adkins for his versatility, toughness and smarts.

“He’s a football player,” Paton said on Aug. 29. “He’s a guy we had targeted throughout the process just like Jaleel [McLaughlin]. We almost drafted him. It just didn’t fall. We didn’t have a lot of picks. We were really fortunate to get him as an undrafted free agent.

“He’s been everything we thought. We had him in on a Top-30 [visit]. [We] loved the visit. He’s got a great mind, and he can do a lot of different things. He’s a coach’s dream because he can do so many different things. [He can] play special teams as well.”

Adkins is listed as a tight end on the depth chart, but he will also serve as a backup fullback behind Michael Burton. And — as Paton mentioned — the rookie will likely have a key role on special teams this fall.

“He’s pretty consistent each day,” coach Sean Payton said. “You know what you’re getting. I think if he is assigned the SAM linebacker and the play is over with — it may not have been perfect all of the time — but he probably blocked the SAM. He was just one of those guys who day in and day out got his job done.

“He’s got some position versatility. You see him playing some fullback. He’s kind of that ‘F’ tight end if you will. He can play on the ball, but he’s probably a little bit better off the ball. He was someone we considered drafting, and he was someone who was very sought after, after the draft. We felt it would be hard to get him to a practice squad spot.”

Now on the 53-man roster, Adkins is set to make his NFL debut when the Broncos host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 (Sept. 10).

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10 surprises from Broncos’ initial 53-man roster

There were a few surprises when the Broncos set their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.

After making 39 roster moves (including two trades) on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos finalized their initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season.

It’s important to note that this is an initial roster for the Broncos as several more roster moves will be on the way within the next 48 hours. While we wait for the finishing touches on the active roster, though, here are 10 surprises from Denver’s moves on roster cuts deadline day.

Broncos buzz: RB Javonte Williams back in action

Javonte Williams’ return will provide a big boost to the Broncos’ offense.

Broncos Wire will have weekly updates now through the end of training camp on the latest storylines from practice and preseason. This is the fifth edition.

Javonte returns: After missing 13 games last season with a torn ACL and LCL, RB Javonte Williams recovered quickly and he avoided the PUP list to begin training camp this summer. Williams made his return to the field in Week 2 of preseason against the 49ers and made an immediate impact. The third-year running back rushed three times for 12 yards and he was targeted five times as a receiver out of the backfield. Williams hauled in four receptions for 18 yards, giving him seven total touches for 30 yards in his return. The running back looked healthy and elusive and he is on track to start against the Raiders in Week 1. Denver’s second-string RB, Samaje Perine, rushed three times for 22 yards against San Francisco.

Rookie watch: TE/FB Nate Adkins delivered several key blocks on running plays against the 49ers and caught three passes for 17 yards (he also had two receptions nullified by penalties). Adkins seems unlikely to make the 53-man roster over veteran FB Michael Burton, but he will likely be a top candidate for the Broncos’ practice squad this season. Burton will become a 32-year-old free agent next year, so Adkins might be a long-term option at fullback.

This post originally appeared in Sports Weekly.

Broncos roster series: No. 45, TE/FB Nate Adkins

Nate Adkins is a versatile tight end who is expected to get reps at fullback this summer. He has also practiced as a long snapper.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie tight end Nate Adkins, No. 45. (During the offseason, more than one player can wear the same number if they play on different sides of the ball. Allen wears No. 45 on defense.)

Before the Broncos: Adkins (6-3, 252 pounds) started his college career at East Tennessee State, earning All-Southern Conference recognition three times in four seasons. He made a graduate transfer to South Carolina ahead of the 2022 season. Adkins was used primarily as a blocking tight end with the Gamecocks, catching 13 passes for 168 yards in 13 games last year. In addition to playing tight end, Adkins was also a key player on special teams, and he even worked out as a long snapper at South Carolina’s pro day.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Adkins as an undrafted free agent in May. He is expected to get reps at both at fullback and at tight end this summer.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Adkins is unlikely to make the active roster if fullback Michael Burton stays healthy. Adkins might be a strong candidate for the practice squad, though, potentially giving the Broncos more depth at TE/FB without taking up a spot on the 53-man roster.

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Broncos rookie Nate Adkins a candidate for fullback snaps this summer

Broncos undrafted free agent rookie Nate Adkins is expected to get reps at both tight end and fullback at training camp.

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As we expected, Denver Broncos rookie tight end Nate Adkins is a candidate to get snaps as a fullback this summer.

Adkins (6-3, 252 pounds) wears jersey No. 45 and he’s listed as a tight end on the 90-man offseason roster, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him used in a hybrid role similar to the position Andrew Beck used to play in Denver.

“The first question we asked ourselves is, ‘Does he go with the tight end room, or does he go the running back room?’” coach Sean Payton said on June 14 when asked about Adkins’ position.

“He can go to either. He goes to the tight end room, but he would be an ‘F’ tight end that would be used at times in some roles like [Michael] Burton would be used in. He would be an ‘F’ candidate.”

The “F” tight end will presumably be similar to an H-back role — typically a tight end who lines up in the backfield.

Burton is set to serve as the team’s starting fullback in 2023 and it looks like Adkins is the top candidate to back him up, at least this summer. The Broncos seem extremely unlikely to dedicate two roster spots to fullbacks, so Adkins will probably be competing for a spot on the practice squad.

Burton is scheduled to become a 32-year-old free agent in 2024, so if Adkins impresses this summer, he might be able to parlay a rookie season on the practice squad into a larger role in Year 2.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, though, first up for Adkins is training camp this summer. He will likely split reps between TE and FB.

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Broncos’ updated tight end depth chart with new signing

Following the arrival of Tommy Hudson, here is an updated tight end depth chart for the Broncos.

After signing tight end Tommy Hudson last week, the Denver Broncos now have five true tight ends on the 90-man offseason roster: Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Chris Manhertz, Albert Okwuegbunam and Hudson.

Nate Adkins, an undrafted rookie, might be a tight end/fullback hybrid. If that is the case, he will end up behind Michael Burton on the depth chart.

On the TE-specific depth chart, Dulcich leads the way as the team’s top receiving option entering his second season in the NFL. Behind him, the Broncos just traded for Trautman during the NFL draft. Before that, the Broncos signed Manhertz during free agency.

Okwuegbunam is a wildcard. He could emerge as a key receiving tight end this season or he could end up not making the 53-man roster. Neither scenario would be a big surprise given that Denver has a new coaching staff and a new offense going into the 2023 season.

Broncos (Projected) Tight End Depth Chart

Broncos’ updated tight end depth chart after the NFL draft

Here is our projected tight end (and fullback) depth chart for the Broncos following the NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos did not select a tight end in the 2023 NFL draft last week, but they did acquire Adam Trautman in a late-round trade with the New Orleans Saints.

Following Trautman’s arrival, here is our updated tight end depth chart for the Broncos as the team gets set to begin organized team activities this month.

TE1: Greg Dulcich, a third-round pick in 2022, returns as Denver’s primary tight end entering his second season.

TE2: Adam Trautman, who was drafted by coach Sean Payton in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, instantly becomes the team’s TE2. Payton has spoken glowingly about Trautman’s ability to block and contribute as a receiver.

TE3: Albert Okwuegbunam (receiving) and Chris Manhertz (blocking) have contrasting strengths and neither of them are as well-rounded as a TE as Truatman. The Broncos also signed Kris Leach as an undrafted free agent.

FB: Michael Burton is the obvious choice to start at fullback for Denver this year and he might occasionally have a tight end-type role. The Broncos also signed UDFA Nate Adkins, who could be a candidate for a tight end/fullback hybrid role that Andrew Beck previously held in Denver.

It’s a pretty solid tight end room for the Broncos, with Dulcich expected to have the biggest receiving role in 2023.

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