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The Denver Broncos added undrafted free agent tight end Austin Fort soon after the 2019 NFL Draft concluded as part of their first round of UDFA signings.
Austin Fort Profile
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 244 lbs
Age: 24
Experience: Rookie
The Wyoming tight end began his career as a quarterback there, but ended up making the team as a walk-on tight end. He was largely an unknown having very little college highlights to speak of. In fact, Fort wouldn’t likely have been a player to even garner notice as an undrafted free agent if it wasn’t for Wyoming’s Pro Day.
The good
Fort turned heads at Wyoming’s Pro Day, showing off NFL speed with a 4.56 40-yard time, a 6.80 on the 3-cone, and 4.25 20-yard shuttle.
Top 3 TE numbers @NFLCombine in 40 and 3 cone and top 5 short shuttle for @Austin__Fort on his pro day @wyo_football @NFL #fullcontactmgmt pic.twitter.com/9gMrLS9Rvd
— MGC Sports (@mgcsports) March 8, 2019
When it comes to undrafted players, you are looking for projects that could develop into solid contributors or even starters on your roster. Fort is going to need a lot of work to make this a career, but with his athletic talent he has a legitimate shot at achieving those goals.
The bad
Fort’s career stats in three seasons at Wyoming was a whooping 17 receptions for 221 yards and four touchdowns. That’s not much film to go off of. The good news there is that he was clearly more of a red zone weapon for Wyoming.
Quotable
The Broncos were very interested in Fort’s athletic intangibles. The impression their staff made at Wyoming’s Pro Day is a big reason why Fort chose the Broncos UDFA offer over the Kansas City Chiefs offer.
“When I did the local pro day there, I got to work with (tight ends) coach (Wade) Harman, and we sort of clicked right off the bat,” Fort said in a Casper Star Tribune piece in early May. “I felt comfortable in the building, and they made it clear that they wanted me there. The Chiefs were definitely really interested, but it was more of we can bring you in and see what you can do where the Broncos were kind of saying that we want you here.”
Austin Fort Highlights
Gillette's own @Austin__Fort with the touchdown catch to put Wyoming up 14-0 on New Mexico! #OneWyoming #GoWyo pic.twitter.com/wTZdkshqmU
— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) October 29, 2017
Austin Fort’s roster status with the Broncos
Going into this roster review, I didn’t really know much about Austin Fort. Having looked through some of his highlights and read up on his potential, I am feeling like he could be a dark horse kind of guy who the Broncos could sneak onto the practice squad to keep coaching him up.
The Casper Star Tribune article linked in the quotable section was a really fun read on Fort. They interviewed him and really helped shed light on the rookies mentality heading into his first NFL season. I came away hoping he sticks around.