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Broncos sign tight end Dan Light and waive wide receiver Solomon Patton

The Broncos waived receiver/return man Solomon Patton and added rookie tight end Dan Light.

By Scotty Payne
By Jennifer Toland TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

According to the Denver Broncos, they have signed rookie tight end Dan Light and waived wide receiver/return man Solomon Patton.

Light is a 6'5", 265lb rookie tight end from Fordham University. He went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft but did participate with the Chiefs during their rookie minicamp earlier this spring. Light had a try out with the Broncos on Friday, and they must have liked what they saw.

Light was nicknamed "Gronk of the Bronx" at Fordham because he was very "Gronk-like" while playing there. During his four-year career at Fordham, Light totaled 177 receptions for 1,494 yards, and 9 touchdowns.

He underwent surgery for a torn ACL earlier this winter so that probably is the big reason why he went undrafted during this year's NFL Draft.

Here's a scouting report for Light via Draft Insiders.

Positive: Nice-sized tight end with a well-rounded game. Displays a sense of timing and good eye/hand coordination. Gets high in a crowd to come away with the difficult reception. Plays with quickness. Consistently extends his hands and makes receptions away from his frame. Stays square as a blocker, works to get a pad on defenders and disrupts their angle of attack. Effective blocking in motion or down the field.

Negative: For the most part does not display naturally soft hands. One-speed tight end who will struggle to get downfield separation. Lacks dominant blocking strength.

Analysis: White was effective in all areas at Fordham and has the size as well as pass catching skill to hang on as a third tight end at the next level.

The Broncos added tight end Jake Murphy, last week so this addition tells me that the Broncos coaching staff isn't too thrilled about their tight end depth at this moment. The way Kubiak has been adding tight ends this offseason I wouldn't be shocked if there's another addition made once final cuts are made.

Look for Light to simply provide depth for the Broncos throughout the next few weeks, and be among the series of cuts they make in the coming weeks. Since he is a rookie, I could see them stashing him on their 10-man practice squad.

To make room for Light the Broncos waived kick returner/wide receiver Solomon Patton. The speedy Patton was earning some praise during Training Camp, but after a poor performance in the Broncos first preseason game, he fell out of favor with the Broncos.

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