Report: Broncos to hold a pre-draft workout with San Jose State tight end, Josh Oliver

According to Matt Barrows who writes about San Francisco 49ers for The Athletic, the Denver Broncos will hold a pre-draft visit/workout with former San Jose State tight end, Josh Oliver.

Oliver is a 6’5”, 249lb tight end who played his college ball for San Jose State. He ran a 4.63 40-time during last months NFL Scouting Combine and is compared to Vance McDonald by NFL Networks Lance Zierlein.

Here is what Zierlein had to say about Oliver in his scouting report on him that is currently on NFL.com

Above-average, mid-air athlete with plus ball skills who was forced to deal with coverages that were consistently shaded in his direction thanks to an excessive target count. Oliver’s route-running and ball-tracking talent allow him to work beyond the first level and can help NFL team’s looking to push the ball downfield. Oliver will flash as an in-line blocker at times but might need to enter the league as a TE2/3 who works from the slot until he becomes more skilled and consistent at the point of attack.

Oliver had a bit of a breakout season for San Jose State this past year. He recorded 56 receptions, 709 yards, and 4 touchdowns. This play earned him an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl where he joined the South Team that was coached by San Francisco 49ers Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan.

Oliver makes sense for the Broncos as a mid-round selection who can serve as their “move tight end” in Rich Scangarello’s offense. He has the size and athleticism to be a matchup issue for teams, but his blocking issues will limit his playing time, at least early on.

Oliver has previously met with the Broncos coaching staff/decision makers at the Combine so this is the second-time at least they are meeting with him. This shows some level of interest in the prospect.

Look for the Broncos to draft a tight end at some point during the 2019 NFL Draft. Could they look to the athletic Oliver to fill that need in mid-rounds?