Finding Broncos: Two Tight Ends to Strengthen the Rotation
The Denver Broncos currently have a sneaky need at the tight end position, specifically looking for one with versatility as a receiver and blocker. Unfortunately, the Broncos don’t have a multifaceted player at the position that they can trust to be on the field no matter the situation and succeed.
Greg Dulcich and Albert Okwegbunam are more inclined to play flexed out wide or on the slot rather than attached, and Chris Manhertz is primarily a blocking tight end that has rarely been used as a receiver. Finding a player they can feature as a dual threat at the position would behoove a team trying to recover from the depths of the AFC West.
Sam La Porta | TE | Iowa
Pros:
- Solid athlete for the position working as a move tight end.
- Feisty and competitive as a blocker with decent footwork after contact.
- He has a good catch radius and reliable hands that consistently snatch the ball away from his body.
- Saw a lot of action all over the formation, including some reps in the backfield as a full-back.
- Nifty route runner that uses good angular leverage to help create separation out of the break.
- High target volume at Iowa with over 50 receptions each of the last two seasons.
- He also led the Hawkeyes in receiving yards over the previous two seasons.
- Difficult to bring down as a ball carrier, especially at full speed.
Cons:
- He can get overpowered as a blocker by bigger defenders.
- Lateral quickness is lacking as a blocker, though he fights and stays competitive.
- His initial punch power is lacking, with inconsistent hand placement.
- Occasional focus drops hurt his tape.
- Not overly explosive as a route runner and lacks the mismatch ability desired at the position.
- He needs to be more physical at the catch point and box defenders out more reliably.
- He needs to play to his length better.
Overview:
Sam LaPorta is a highly experienced tight end with enough upside to become an average-level starter at the NFL level. He played mainly as an in-line player for the Hawkeyes but was also featured as an attached wing, slot weapon, and a lead blocker as a fullback. He has nice size for the position and is a good athlete, making him a solid option as a pass catcher should he develop some more physicality at the catch point. When he has the ball, LaPorta is incredibly competitive and breaks many tackles, easily turning a modest gain into a big play.
The biggest warts on his tape are as a blocker, where inconsistent technique and a lack of power cause some issues. He can get rocked back fairly easily as a lead blocker and takes some bad angles, but his fight and competitiveness are everything you like to see. Should he improve his technique, LaPorta could become a high-quality blocker as a pass protector and in the running game.
Fit with the Broncos:
Should the Broncos take Sam LaPorta, they would instantly upgrade the position and make Albert Okwuegbunam expendable moving forward. Okwuegbunam has been in the dog house of the last two coaches and is incredibly inconsistent as a blocker. LaPorta has shown reliability as a pass catcher and shows upside in the running game at the point of attack despite his technical flaws. With Greg Dulcich and Chris Manhertz scheduled to see the bulk of the reps for 2023, LaPorta could develop for his first season and contribute as a rotational tight end, with an eye on taking over as a starter later in his career.
© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Davis Allen | TE | Clemson
Pros:
- Good size for the position.
- He makes some acrobatic catches down the field, using his length well to snatch the ball out of the air.
- He has a good “my ball” mentality when attacking the pass at the high point.
- He primarily lined up split out as a receiver, but he can play anywhere in the formation.
- Finds the soft spot in zone coverage easily and presents a big target.
- No drops to speak of, showing reliable hands inside the target area.
- The effort is there as a blocker.
- Hands get placed well as a blocker and reposition frequently.
- Smooth as a runner going vertically that gains a lot of momentum down the field.
Cons:
- Not a spectacular athlete by any stretch of the imagination.
- Clunky when moving laterally.
- Change of direction ability is severely lacking, as is short-area quickness.
- Power is not a thing as a blocker, and he constantly is moved off of the spot.
- Lack of lateral agility as a pass blocker allows rushers to cross his face easily.
- A single-speed runner that lacks explosiveness and high-end speed.
- He rounds his routes out too often and doesn’t create a lot of separation.
- He gets his head around late sometimes, leading to misconnections due to a lack of timing.
Overview:
Davis Allen is a developmental tight-end prospect that could see his best usage as a red zone target in jump ball situations. He has good ball skills and attacks the ball in the air, showing reliable hands catching the ball away from his frame. However, due to a lack of high-end athleticism, Allen likely will see a much lower volume of work at the NFL level than in college. Allen shows effort as a blocker, but his clunky lower half and lack of power are significant concerns.
While Allen does well at finding space and leveraging opponents against zone coverage, his lack of speed and nuance in his route running against man coverage will limit him as a pass catcher at the next level.
Fit with the Broncos:
Allen’s fit with the Broncos is a curious one, as his lack of athleticism would likely land him at the bottom of the depth chart. He doesn’t offer a solid presence as a blocker either, which is what the Broncos need to be better at with their tight ends. However, with his ability to win in jump ball scenarios, Allen could be added as a red zone weapon and utilized creatively by Sean Payton.
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