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Tight ends Washington could consider trading for before 2020 NFL season

By Jacob Camenker

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during pregame before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during pregame before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 8: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos runs a pass in for a touchdown in the first half of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 38-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 8: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos runs a pass in for a touchdown in the first half of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 38-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. Jeff Heuerman, Denver Broncos

Jeff Heuerman is the one player on this list that doesn’t have a lot of long-term upside. Heuerman, 27, was a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product had trouble getting on the field early in his career due to injuries and the team’s tight end depth chart, but he has proven to be a solid option for the team in recent seasons.

In 2018, Heuerman had the best season of his career. He played in 11 games and made 10 starts, setting career highs in catches (31), receiving yards (281), and touchdowns (two). He did all that while serving as a good lead blocker and opening up plenty of running room for Phillip Lindsay. His season ended prematurely after he broke three ribs and bruised a lung, but the arrow was pointing up for him ahead of the 2019 season.

After re-signing with Denver on a two-year deal, Heuerman played second fiddle to rookie Noah Fant in the tight end core. But he continued to serve as a solid blocker and caught 14 passes for 114 yards and a score in 14 games (11 starts).

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At this point in Heuerman’s career, the sixth-year veteran is what he is. He’s a solid, well-rounded tight end who represents an upgrade over what Washington currently has. And he may be available for a seventh-round pick or a swap of late-round selections.

Denver has plenty of talent at the tight end position. They have Fant as their long-term starter and they signed Nick Vannett to be a blocking complement to him. Elsewhere, they drafted Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and have two other recent fifth-round picks, Troy Fumagalli (2018) and Jake Butt (2017), on the roster. So, they could consider moving on from Heuerman.

On just a one-year deal, Washington could consider acquiring Heuerman as a depth piece and Band-Aid. But the reason he comes in at No. 4 on this list is that the Broncos could cut Heuerman and if that happens, the team may be able to add him without parting with any draft capital.

So, while Heuerman may be an upgrade, he may not be as worthwhile of a trade candidate as the other options on this list.

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