2015 NFL Draft: Scouting Denver Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman

The Denver Broncos selected former Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was ranked as the 97th overall prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports, and was ranked as the third best tight end in the entire draft.

We've picked Jeff Heuerman, a very experienced TE from Ohio State. He brings the right mentality & was the top guy on our board at the time.

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015

Heuerman played four seasons at Ohio State and put up some solid numbers. During his four-year career at Ohio State, he totaled 52 receptions for 792 yards(15.2 yards per catch), and 7 touchdowns. His best season came his junior year when he totaled 26 receptions for 466 yards(18 yards per catch), and 4 touchdowns. In 2014, selected second-team All-Big Ten and was honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2013.

Jeff Heuerman

Tight end, Senior, Ohio State

Height: 6"5" Weight: 254 yards 40 time: 4.80 seconds

Arm Length: 33 1/2" Hands: 10 1/8"

Vertical Jump: 34 1/2" Broad Jump: 10 feet

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• Arguably the best blocking tight end in the 2015 draft class
• Lines up his shoulders well defenders
• He's a physical blocker
• Takes good angles and eliminates his man from the play
• Looks the part as a tight end
• Athletic proportioned build
• A fluid route runner for a man of his size
• Shows natural body control
• Large reliable hands
• Runs hard with the ball and will look to run through you
• A team player who will do the dirty work
• Will play through injuries, and will go even if he is 90%
• He threatens the seam
• He's a team captain and a leader in the weight room

Weaknesses:

• Doesn't separate consistently while running routes
• Not a polished route rounnder
• Not dynamic after the catch
• Usually has reliable hands but can have episodes of "dropsies"
• While he's a good blocker, he's not a finished product just yet
• Has an injury history
• Injuries limited him in 2014
• Had a stress fracture in his surgically repaired foot in 2014

Quotes:

"Heuerman played last year with a bad foot.. He is a heck of a pass protector. Also, he can swing inside and be a lead blocking back. He's a lot more athletic than you think." -- Charles Davis

"Don't grade him off of 2014 tape, grade him off of 2013. He was able to show who he can be more in the 2013 offense." - NFL tight ends coach

My thoughts:

This guy is your perfect Gary Kubiak tight end. He can play tight end, he can play fullback, he can catch, he can attack the seam, and he's a very good run blocker.

I know some people are down on this pick, but I like this pick. His stat line isn't impressive, but he was used as a blocking tight end more last season to help Ohio State young offense and quarterbacks.

The Broncos have a full stable of tight ends now. Virgil Green and Owen Daniels figure to be the starters. Heuerman figures to compete with James Casey and Joe Duncan to be the team's third string tight end.

I think we will see Heuerman in some short yardage/tight end sets his rookie year, and I believe the Broncos view him as a future replacement for Owen Daniels.