Fangio hints at a large role for TE Noah Fant in Broncos' offense

Noah Fant, welcome to the bigtime.

The Denver Broncos drafted tight end Noah Fant in the first round just a few months ago. Obviously, a player doesn't get drafted on day one without that team having big plans for him. 

Fant's training camp was far from sensational, but frankly, it was about what you'd expect for a rookie making the jump from college to the NFL. Some in the media felt like he was perhaps mailing it in or not approaching life as a first-round pick in Denver with the right attitude. 

Fant called those hot-takes 'bogus'. When the preseason games rolled around, Fant would catch a couple of passes each week but where he really surprised onlookers was in the blocking game. Suffice to say, the kid from 'Tight end U' has some blocking prowess — a skill-set perhaps underrated by the draftnik community coming out of Iowa.

Everything seemed to be progressing well for Noah Fant, and then he took a scary hit to the lower body in the Broncos' third preseason game vs. San Francisco. He hasn't been seen on the field of play since. 

Fant's omission from the Broncos' two final preseason games was simply a case of the team playing it safe with their young, talented offensive weapon. But it has caused some to wonder not only what his health status is but what his role will be in Week 1 at Oakland. 

On Monday, head coach Vic Fangio didn't exactly spell out what to expect from Fant in the regular-season opener a week from now, but he did make it clear that the rookie will have plenty of opportunities to make an impact. 

"Well, he'll be out there a lot," Fangio said, "so hopefully some of the targets will go his way."

Nominally, Jeff Heuerman is expected to be the Broncos' TE1 to open the season but from a snap-share perspective, don't be surprised if Fant gets the majority. Usually, rookie tight ends, especially of the pass-catching variety, are eased into live-bullet action because their run-blocking ability hasn't quite reached the level of their play-making ability. 

I don't think that's a concern for the Broncos. What's so exciting about seeing his clear progression as a blocker, is that when Fant's on the field, the opposing defense won't be able to key in and sell out to stop the pass. 

Fant has true 'Y' tight end ability to play in-line, unlike some of his Broncos' predecessors, like Julius Thomas, who couldn't block a runny nose. When Thomas was out on the grass, opponents knew nine times out of 10, it was going to be a passing play. 

Only time will tell exactly what type of role Noah Fant will carve out for himself this year. He'll need time to acclimate to the speed of first-team NFL defenses but it probably won't take long for him to get his game legs beneath him. He's a phenomenal talent. 

Fant's biggest asset will likely come in the red zone, where Joe Flacco can look for his big-bodied, uber-athletic TE when the field has shrunk. The Broncos will take the field to open the 2019 regular season on Monday Night Football, September 9. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.