Finding Broncos: Two Tight Ends to Round Out Position

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with two tight ends who can round out the position group.

The Denver Broncos added Chris Manhertz to their tight end room, giving them a reliable blocking option. With Greg Dulcich and Albert Okwuegbunam, they have their receiving tight ends. They could use a fourth option that can develop into the #2 tight end in the room after the 2023 season. This is a strong tight-end class, and while the Broncos don't currently have a lot of picks, they should look to add from the class. 

Josh Whyle | TE | Cincinnati

Pros

• He played over 1,100 snaps the last two seasons on offense while also playing a key role on special teams the last four seasons.
• Has excellent size and decent length. 
• He has the right attitude and temperament to work as a blocker. 
• There is a good enough foundation to work with as a blocker. 
• He brings good versatility to line up anywhere on the field and work as a receiver or blocker. 
• His timing as a receiver is consistently excellent, with natural hands that pluck the ball. 
• He has soft and reliable hands, with only six drops over his five seasons. 
• He consistently uses his size well, making him a dangerous redzone threat. 
• He uses his length extremely well as a blocker to keep defenders off his body. 
• He is a good athlete and shows up well with his movement and agility. 
• He knows how to find the soft spot in zone coverage and create a big target for the quarterback. 

Cons

• Potential is there as a blocker, but he has to improve his technique. 
• Has to learn how to get and sustain leverage when working as a blocker. 
• He can get jolted off his spot with power and could use a bit more sand in his pants. 
• Doesn't offer up much after the catch. 
• He plays high with a poor bend, hurting his execution in all phases. 
• There are too many instances of mailing it in with his routes. 
• He struggles to secure catches when contact was there, being under the 50% mark. 
• While he posted a good Relative Athletic Score, 9.23, the athleticism isn't always there on tape, especially the burst and acceleration. 

Overview

Josh Whyle is a good athlete, but he doesn't always show it on tape, especially as a receiver, which is something that should be more consistent. However, there's plenty of versatility, especially if you can unlock the athleticism consistently. Whyle has a good foundation as a blocker, with room to work and develop, but a key for tight ends is having the right mentality as a blocker, which he does. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos have built a solid foundation in the tight end room, but they could use one to develop to work as the second guy behind Greg Dulich, provided both develop for years to come. Josh Whyle has the traits to be that counterpart to what Dulcich brings to the offense. With Chris Manhertz, the role of Whyle could be more on the limited side on offense and special teams while he develops, and then he can compete for a more prominent role next year. 

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Payne Durham | TE | Purdue

Pros

• Prototypical size and mass to be an inline tight end in the NFL. 
• Has good technique as a blocker that will need little refinement and development. 
• Has the right attitude and temperament as a blocker. 
• Brings enough power after the catch to force the initial tackle to be missed. 
• Plenty of exposure as a receiver, with 126 catches on 174 targets and only eight drops. 
• He picked up 21 total touchdowns, with 14 in the last two seasons. 
• Soft and reliable hands. 
• He uses his frame well to protect the catch point in contested catch situations. 
• He has excellent awareness when moving and climbing as a blocker to find his man and engage. 

Cons

• While he wasn't expected to test out well at the Combine, his Relative Athletic Score of 6.46 is below what was expected. 
• He is not a flexible tight end, and it impacts his catch radius, limiting him outside the frame. 
• Doesn't have the burst to get separation in an instant and lacks acceleration. 
• Labored movement with heavy feet. 
• Doesn't have the speed or vertical push to challenge the seam. 
• Might be a safety net tight end that runs the short and shallow routes as the late read/emergency read. 
• He has to improve his hands as a blocker that can get wide as he works to sustain blocks. 

Overview

There is a lot to like with Durham because of what he brings as a blocker, as he is an ideal Y-tight end for the NFL. However, he isn't just blocking tight end, with enough there to work as a receiver. While he isn't a great athlete, he knows how to use his size and create wins for the offense when working as a receiver, being the safety outlet for the quarterback. 

Fit with Broncos

With his blocking ability, Payne Durham can be a significant boost to the Broncos' tight end room. There is enough to be relied on as a blocker as a rookie, and the Broncos are in a position where they don't have to rely on him. He would be good competition for Chris Manhertz for that role and could be in place to take over for him after this season or after the 2024 season if Manhertz plays out his contract. 

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