Denver Broncos draft preview: 5 potential tight end targets
Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland and Terrance Ferguson top list
The Broncos are nearing the NFL draft on April 24-26 with roster needs at several positions.
The team currently holds seven picks: No. 20 (1st), No. 51 (2nd), No. 85 (3rd), No. 122 (4th), No. 191 (6th), No. 197 (6th) and No. 208 (6th).
The Denver Gazette takes an inside look at five potential tight end targets:
1. Tyler Warren
School: Penn State
Size: 6-foot-6, 256 pounds
Career stats: 153 catches for 1,839 yards/19 receiving touchdowns and 32 carries for 224 yards/six rushing touchdowns.
Draft projection: First round
Bottom line: Landing Warren would require moving up in the draft. That’s bold after signing tight end Evan Engram in free agency. However, if Warren meets expectations, he is a franchise-altering talent. Warren lined up at tight end, slot wide receiver, running back and quarterback as a senior. His route running and pass catching are truly excellent.
2. Colston Loveland
School: Michigan
Size: 6-6, 248
Career stats: 117 catches for 1,466 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.
Draft projection: First round
Bottom line: Loveland is essentially a big wide receiver playing tight end. He can shake defenders in space with subtle movement, runs a full route tree and rarely drops passes. Loveland’s frame suggests he might never be an elite blocker. But he makes up for it as a dynamic receiving threat. The locals living in the City of Loveland would be excited, too.
3. Terrance Ferguson
School: Oregon
Size: 6-5, 247
Career stats: 134 catches for 1,537 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns.
Draft projection: Third round
Bottom line: Ferguson attended high school in-state at Heritage. He blossomed at Oregon as the program’s all-time leader in tight end receptions and touchdown catches. Ferguson touts excellent length, ball skills and body control. But he needs more time and commitment to develop into a reliable blocker at the next level.
4. Gunnar Helm
School: Texas
Size: 6-5, 241
Career stats: 79 receptions for 1,022 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
Draft projection: Fourth round
Bottom line: Another homegrown product (Cherry Creek High School) who developed into one of the nation’s top tight ends. Helm broke UT’s single-season record for tight ends with 60 catches last season thanks to strong route running. He’s an athletic target with a wide catch radius. Helm is another playmaking threat who needs to improve his blocking.
5. Harold Fannin Jr.
School: Bowling Green
Size: 6-3, 241
Career stats: 180 receptions for 2,396 yards/17 receiving touchdowns and 33 carries for 159 yards/five rushing touchdowns.
Draft projection: Fourth round
Bottom line: Fannin led all FBS players last season with 117 receptions for 1,555 yards. It wasn’t a matter of competition. He posted 100-plus yards and a receiving touchdown in games against Penn State and Texas A&M. Fannin ranks among the more intriguing prospects in the entire NFL draft. He doesn’t have the same bendy athleticism as his peers on this list. But the numbers don’t lie.
