Finding Broncos: 5 TEs and RBs to Bring Additional Depth

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a group of tight ends and running backs who can bring additional depth.

The Denver Broncos have made vital additions to their tight end and running back room. However, they can still use additional depth at those positions. 

Griffin Hebert | TE/FB | Louisiana Tech

© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He is an exceptional athlete and can be a versatile piece on offense. 
• A creative play caller could have fun making plays to utilize his athleticism. 
• He will give blocking everything he has. 
• He is a twitchy player and can be used after the catch. 
• His production as a receiver was filled with big plays. 
• His athleticism could be a boost to special teams. 

Cons

• He doesn't have the ideal size to be a tight end full-time in the NFL. 
• His hands are not ideal, with eight drops in his career. 
• The blocking technique isn't there, and his blocking isn't anything more than getting in the way. 
• He may not have a clear path to success without a creative play caller. 

Fit with Broncos

If Sean Payton wants a versatile weapon that he can be creative with, Hebert would be an excellent option. His athleticism can be easy to work with and see success with his creativity. 

Jack Colletto | TE/FB | Oregon State

© BRIAN HAYES / STATESMAN JOURNAL / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pros

• He is a solid athlete, but not a great one. 
• There is no doubting his toughness or willingness to do the dirty work on offense. 
• He can be a significant boost to a special teams unit. 
• There is a solid technique when working as a blocker. 
• He is decently smooth and fluid with his movements. 

Cons

• He is undersized for a tight end that will likely be a fullback in the NFL.
• There isn't one area he excels at as a prospect. 
• He has been used in multiple spots on offense and defense without a chance to settle in at one spot. 
• He has played less than 800 snaps on offense and defense. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos have met with Colletto, so there could actually be interest there. His versatility could be a boost, and he can develop as a fullback and special teams contributor. 

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Joel Wilson | TE/FB | Central Michigan

© Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He is a solid athlete that can move around the offense. 
• He has reliable hands, with only four drops in his career. 
• He caught 12 touchdowns over the last two seasons. 
• He is physical and works hard as a blocker. 
• Despite limited contested catch situations, he did well securing the ball. 

Cons

• He is a little undersized for an NFL tight end.
• His technique and consistency as a blocker isn't there.
• His strength to hold up as a blocker isn't there and can cause issues through his routes. 
• He isn't overly twitchy and doesn't bring much after the catch. 

Fit with Broncos

If the Broncos want to add a depth receiving tight end, Wilson wouldn't be a bad option. However, he doesn't have the ideal size to be a full-time tight end, so he could see usage as a receiver out of the backfield as a fullback. 

Brady Russell | TE/FB | Colorado

© Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He is a solid athlete with solid marks around the board with the athletic testing. 
• There is a decent twitch to make something happen after the catch. 
• While his hands aren't great, they weren't terrible, with nine drops over five seasons. 
• There is a decent catch radius. 
• He gives effort as a blocker and does well to stay in the way. 

Cons

• He is undersized for a tight end and may need to clean up his weight to be a fullback in the NFL. 
• There isn't a lot of versatility with what routes he can run due to issues with his change of direction. 
• He doesn't have great blocking technique and lacks consistency. 

Fit with Broncos

Russell isn't projected to get drafted, but the fit with the Broncos isn't terrible. He wouldn't be an option to make the roster as a rookie, but he can work as an undrafted signing to compete for a spot on the practice squad to try and develop. 

Emari Demercado | RB | TCU

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He has a small compact build. 
• He has good burst, long speed, and solid agility to change direction. 
• He has a good burst and vision to find the lane and burst through the hole, taking what the defense gives him. 
• He can make himself small between the tackles and become harder to tackle. 
• He has only fumbled once on almost 400 touches on offense. 
• He has plenty of tread left with less than 400 touches on offense. 
• He is reliable in picking up yards consistently with his touches. 

Cons

• He isn't overly explosive of a runner. 
• His college production lacks those explosive plays. 
• There is limited experience as a receiver out of the backfield. 
• He was only targeted 47 times and dropped three passes. 
• There are times he can be easy to bring down by the defense. 

Fit with Broncos

While he isn't an explosive runner, Demercado is a reliable runner that can be an ideal backup. The Broncos need more explosive ability, but Demercado, who is projected to go undrafted, could be a good addition to bring more competition at the bottom of the depth chart. 

It is an excellent class for tight ends, and the Broncos should take advantage of it even if they take advantage of the strength of the class with an undrafted free agent. As for running backs, the Broncos have been linked to multiple prospects and are expected to add to the room with a rookie or two. 

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