ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — New Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello requires a pass-catching threat for his system.
New Broncos’ quarterback Joe Flacco has viewed tight ends like the English consider their teas.
After trading back 10 spots to the No. 20 pick, the Broncos took the top receiving tight end in the draft in Iowa’s Noah Fant.
“Joe Flacco has been a Super Bowl quarterback. He’s a legend," said Fant in a video conference call with the Denver media. “I’m super stoked to get in there and get to work.”
Fant had a combined 69 catches for 1,1013 yards and 18 touchdowns his sophomore and junior seasons at Iowa while sharing the tight end position with T.J. Hockeson, who was selected with the No. 8 pick by Detroit.
Fant said he was “super excited” or “super stoked” or “super hyped” or “super special” or “super emotional” or “super happy” – or simply, “super super’’ eight times throughout his short first interview as a professional.
With the Broncos’ tight end core of Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli all battling injuries last year, Elway felt he had to upgrade the position. Heuerman just signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the expectation he will start. Fant, though, would appear to take reps away from Butt, who has suffered three ACL tears in recent years.
Tight end is one of the toughest covers in the league as they usually match up with slower and shorter linebackers or undersized safeties.
"He's got the ability to get vertical and stretch the field and also run the underneath tree as a tight end," Fangio told 9NEWS after the Fant pick. “And I also think he can evolve into a good blocker. He has the potential to be an all-round, good tight end."
