Before I start going over players I think it is important to know that there are two kinds of tight ends in the NFL. A traditional tight end who lines up in a 3 point stance, or at the end of the offensive line is called a "Y" tight end. They are usually the better blocker, and play the position in a more traditional role. Not to say that they can't be great receivers as well, but they are just your more traditional tight end. The prime example of a tight end like this is Rob Gronkowski who can block, and catch passes. The second type of tight end is called the "F" tight end. They are usually the better receivers, and can line up anywhere. Sometimes they will line up in the slot, sometimes they will line up in the backfield like an H-back, and at times they can even line up outside like a regular wide receiver would. Probably the best example of an F tight end is Jimmy Graham, or Julius Thomas. Ideally you would like to have a guy who can do both, but those types of players are difficult to find.
Going into this offseason Denver has Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt as the two tight ends on the roster. My personal opinion is Heuerman should be released as he just simply hasn't worked out. He would be what you consider an F tight end, but he has done nothing to warrant being brought back. Jake Butt is a guy who could be special, and is coming off an injury he sustained during his final year in college. Denver drafted him in the 5th round, but draft experts said that had he not been hurt he would've been a first round pick. Jake Butt has the potential to be one of the special tight ends who can play the Y, or the F. If Denver is going to have success in the 2018-2019 season Jake Butt will be a big part the reason why. After spending the last few days watching film on tight ends I feel pretty confident with the list of players I will name as potential compliments to Jake Butt at the tight end position.
The first guy will mention is Troy Fumagalli from the University of Wisconsin. NFL.com has him listed at 6'6 and 248lbs. He is projected to go in rounds 3 to 5, and he is similar to Jake Butt in that he can play the Y or F position comfortably. He would be a player that you could put on the field with Jake Butt and create some serious match up concerns for opposing defenses. Playing for Wisconsin he had to learn how to sustain his blocks in the running game, and pass protection when called on to do so.
The next tight end I will take a look at is a player from Notre Dame named Durham Smythe. NFL.com has him listed at 6'5 and 257lbs. Smythe would be what you consider a Y tight end. Can he line up in the slot? Sure, but he plays with the demeanor of an offensive linemen. He is able to block defensive ends in 1 on 1 situations, but still can go out and make the big catch. His route running isn't the greatest, but he does have great hands. He is also projected to go in rounds 3-5.
The third guy I will name as a potential tight end is Ian Thomas who played at the University of Indiana. In my opinion he has ability to play the Y or F tight end spot, and reminds me a lot of Antonion Gates. He is 6'5 and weights 247lbs, and projected to be taken in round 4-6. He looks deceptively fast on film, and has no issue going up and high pointing the ball. His route running needs some coaching, but scouts who have been around him say that he is a nice guy, and humble enough to know that he has room to grow. He is a project, but one that could pay off with the right team.
Ryan Izzo from Florida State is the next guy I took a in depth look at. Izzo is listed at 6'5 and 245lbs, and is a traditional Y tight end. He is going to have to gain some weight if he wants to make an impact at the Y tight end in the NFL. Scouts have said he probably should've come back for his senior season, but since he declared for the draft he should be viewed as a project. He a good blocker, but his route running leaves a lot to be desired. He is projected to go in rounds 5-7, and will require solid coaching to make it in the NFL.
The final guy I will go over is Dallas Goedert from South Dakota State University. Coming from a small school could potentially hurt him, but he has all the tools to be a great tight end in the NFL. I would say he is more the F tight end than a Y, and will need to work on his blocking ability to be able to be a mainstay at tight end in the NFL. He is listed at 6'5 and 255lbs, and is a better receiver than he is blocker. He has the ability to make the amazing catch, but at times get caught up trying to get off the line of scrimmage.
If I was in charge of drafting the next tight end in Denver my first pick would be Troy Fumagalli. He could step in immediately and help create match up problems for opposing defenses. He is the closest thing of a full package of a tight end that could pick up the slack if Jake Butt isn't completely healthy, or doesn't return to the form he was when he was drafted. The other player I would look to take is Durham Smythe as I think he can be the big body Y tight end that Denver has really been lacking since the days of Byron Chamberlin and Dwayne Carswell. Finally, if Dallas Goerdert somehow falls to the 5th or 6th round I think if you are Denver you take a chance on him. The NFL is a game of match ups, and this kid is a match up nightmare, but with the needs Denver has in my opinion he is not worth the risk in the earlier rounds.
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