The Broncos released Heuerman on Friday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Analysis: The Broncos have invested numerous draft picks on tight ends since Heuerman was selected in the third round in 2015: Noah Fant (2019 first round), Albert Okwuegbunam (2020 fourth), Troy Fumagalli (2018 fifth) and Jake Butt (2017 fifth). Over the past four seasons, Heuerman wasn't exactly productive, playing in 51 games but combining for a 63-678-5 line on 103 targets.
Jul 31, 2020 1:41 PM EST
The Broncos drafted Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round of the weekend's draft, adding competition for Heuerman, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Heuerman was already on the roster bubble with the acquisition of Nick Vannett in free agency. Drafting one of Drew Lock's favorite targets at Mizzou may push the veteran off. Noah Fant and Okwuegbunam look to be the future at the position for Denver and Vannett provides a veteran presence. Add Andrew Beck as the only one of the bunch with H-back versatility, and it's hard to see where Heuerman fits, particularly as he can be cut with just a $500,000 cap hit.
Apr 26, 2020 10:42 AM EST
The Broncos' signing of Vannett could place Heuerman's roster spot in jeopardy, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Analysis: Heuerman had a nice game or two as an underneath receiver for the Broncos in 2019, but has never really lived up to being the tight end Denver drafted him to be out of Ohio State in 2015. Now, it would seem as though his TE2 role will be taken by Vannett, who was drafted by Seattle out of Ohio State in 2016. Vannett is mostly known as a blocker, but he put together some nice receiving performances in 2018. With Noah Fant leading the way and cheap, promising youngsters like Andrew Beck and Austin Fort at the bottom of the roster, it would seem like there's only room for one of Vannett or Heuerman on the team. Cutting Heuerman would result in a cap hit of $500,000, but a savings of $3.9 million.
Mar 22, 2020 9:31 AM EST
Heuerman caught 14 of 20 targets for 114 yards and a touchdown during the 2019 season.
Analysis: Heuerman, not surprisingly, saw a drop off in production with the rise of rookie first-round pick Noah Fant. Heuerman's 114 receiving yards were a career low despite tying a career high with 14 games played. The Ohio State product had a couple of nice outings as a short, underneath target -- Week 2 against the Bears and Week 13 against the Chargers come to mind -- but his production was capped thanks to just one reception of 12 or more yards all season and one target inside the 10-yard line. He's a much-needed veteran presence in a young tight-end room and may benefit from tight-end enthusiast Pat Shurmur taking over as offensive coordinator in 2020. The question will be whether he can stave off young reserve tight ends including Andrew Beck, Troy Fumagalli, and Austin Fort.
Jan 26, 2020 10:55 AM EST
Heuerman caught both of his targets for 13 yards during Sunday's 27-17 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Heuerman caught multiple passes for just the second time since Week 3. The veteran tight end has had a little more production with Drew Lock under center -- 1.5 catches for nine yards per game -- than Denver's veteran passers -- one catch for 8.7 yards per game, but even the improved stats don't inspire much excitement. The Buckeye ends the season against an Oakland defense that kept him catchless in Week 1.
Dec 23, 2019 7:03 PM EST
Heuerman was not targeted during Sunday's 23-3 loss in Kansas City.
Analysis: Despite not being targeted, Heuerman saw the field on 24 offensive snaps -- 41% of Denver's total. It's hard to read too much into Sunday's game given the Broncos' recent history against the Chiefs and the blustery conditions. Expect for him to return to his role as a decent underneath target and occasional red-zone target for rookie passer Drew Lock. Sunday brings a matchup against Detroit's 31st-ranked pass defense.
Dec 17, 2019 6:00 PM EST
Heuerman caught his only target, an eight-yard touchdown, during Sunday's 38-24 win over the Texans.
Analysis: Heuerman extended Denver's hot start to three scores early in the second quarter, rolling out into the flat for a catch-and-run touchdown. It's still early, but rookie passer Drew Lock has been good for Heuerman, who led the team in targets in Lock's debut in Week 13. The Broncos are also mixing it up and getting more creative on offense with Lock, all four of the tight ends recording at least 15 offensive snaps Sunday, with Heuerman leading the way with 30. He could see more Sunday against Kansas City depending on the status of rookie starter Noah Fant (foot).
Dec 9, 2019 3:04 PM EST
Heuerman caught three of five targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Chargers.
Analysis: It's predictable for a tight end to serve as his rookie quarterback's security blanket, but many fans probably predicted it'd be Noah Fant helping out Drew Lock in his first start. Instead it was Heuerman tying Courtland Sutton for the team lead with five targets despite playing on just 28 of 57 offensive snaps, 13 fewer than Fant. All three of Heuerman's catches converted a third-down. Converting third-and-twos probably isn't the path to fantasy glory, but his reliability for Lock is worth taking note of, especially given a dearth of reliable targets on the roster behind Courtland Sutton. Next up is a trip to Houston and the Texans' 28th-ranked pass defense.
Dec 2, 2019 8:50 PM EST
Heuerman was not targeted during Sunday's 20-3 loss in Buffalo.
Analysis: Sunday was Heuerman's first game in nearly a month as he battled through a knee injury. Even accounting for that three-game absence, Heuerman has been extremely quiet this season with just two catches since Week 3. Noah Fant's emergence and the team's use of two-back sets further limits the veteran Buckeye's role. Next up is a matchup against a Chargers defense that has limited yards, mostly because they've been dinked-and-dunked on all season. Heuerman would probably be satisfied if he comes away with a dink.
Nov 25, 2019 7:05 PM EST
Heuerman (knee) is active Week 12 against Buffalo.
Analysis: Heuerman is set to see his first action since Week 8 and will presumably serve as the secondary option to starting tight end Noah Fant. Troy Fumagalli may also be in the mix after catching his first career touchdown last week against Minnesota, though it's likely he takes a step back with Heuerman on the active roster. Heuerman had just 11 total targets in eight games to begin the season, but it's unclear what his role might be following the switch to a new quarterback in Brandon Allen.
Nov 24, 2019 8:36 AM EST
Heuerman (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Analysis: Heuerman logged a trio of limited practice this week. The fifth-year tight end last suited up for game action Week 8 against the Colts. If Heuerman manages to retake the field against Buffalo on Sunday, he'll fill in as the No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant for Denver.
Nov 22, 2019 1:07 PM EST
Heuerman (knee) will likely be questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Analysis: Coach Vic Fangio said Heuerman's truly "50-50." His practice status will likely be closely monitored during the practice week, but the fifth-year tight end isn't fantasy owners' concern with just eight receptions for 78 yards this year. If he's unable to go, Troy Fumagalli will fill in as the No. 2 option behind Noah Fant again.
Nov 20, 2019 12:23 PM EST
Heuerman (knee) won't suit up in Sunday's road contest against Minnesota, Ben Swanson of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Heuerman came into the contest with a doubtful tag due to the knee issue, so this news isn't quite surprising. It will be the Ohio State product's second straight missed game, and in his stead, Troy Fumagalli will be the team's No. 2 tight end for Week 11.
Nov 17, 2019 8:44 AM EST
Heuerman (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's tilt against the Vikings, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Heuerman appears to be trending toward missing a second straight game due to a lingering knee issue. If he's indeed unable to suit up in Minnesota on Sunday, expect Troy Fumagalli to serve as Denver's No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant.
Nov 15, 2019 1:07 PM EST
Coach Vic Fangio said Thursday that Heuerman (knee) has a "50-50 or less" chance of suiting up against the Vikings on Sunday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Fangio also evaluated Heuerman as being "just so-so" in Wednesday's practice, during which he was a limited participant. With rookie first-round pick Noah Fant fully healthy and coming off a career performance, the Broncos may not feel pressured to rush Heuerman back to action until he's fully healthy. Troy Fumagalli would step up as the team's No. 2 tight end if Heuerman were forced to miss any more time.
Nov 14, 2019 12:15 PM EST
Heuerman (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Analysis: Heuerman sat out Week 9 but appears to be in better shape coming out of Denver's bye week. The 26-year-old has primarily served as a blocker this season and should return to that role if he can play Week 11.
Nov 13, 2019 9:00 PM EST
Heuerman lined up on 32 of Denver's 62 offensive snaps during Sunday's 16-0 win over Tennessee, but did not garner a target.
Analysis: Heuerman has consistently played at least half of Denver's offensive snaps, but he has not been much of a factor with just one catch in his last three games. Denver has played relatively conservatively on offense as of late, pounding the ball and playing great defense. That keeps the experienced Heuerman on the field, but doesn't necessarily translate to fantasy value. He might have a shot to fill the stat sheet a little more Thursday against a Chiefs defense that can be run on and with the Broncos potentially missing Emmanuel Sanders (knee).
Oct 14, 2019 8:10 PM EST
Heuerman caught one of three targets 26 yards during Sunday's 20-13 win over the Chargers.
Analysis: Heuerman wasted no time getting involved Sunday, cutting upfield for a 26-yard shot play on the game's first play from scrimmage. The Buckeye has maintained solid offensive snap counts and ended Sunday with 37 offensive snaps, five more than WR3 DaeSean Hamilton, but his presence on the field seems to be to the benefit of the running game more than anything else. A whopping 43.5 percent of Denver's targets have gone to Courtland Sutton or Emmanuel Sanders this season and there just hasn't been much room to get Heuerman going. Don't expect much to change Sunday against Tennessee's 10th-ranked pass defense.
Oct 8, 2019 8:39 PM EST
Heuerman was not targeted during Denver's 26-24 loss to Jacksonville.
Analysis: The veteran tight end still managed to see just over half of Denver's offensive snaps (29), but it wasn't enough to get involved in a game in which the Broncos scored quickly early and then were deprived of the ball for much of the second half. Even when Heuerman is getting the ball, he's working mostly underneath with just 41 yards on six catches this season. He should not be on your radar.
Sep 30, 2019 6:15 PM EST
Heuerman caught both of his targets for 20 total yards during Sunday's 27-16 loss in Green Bay.
Analysis: The Broncos got creative with Heuerman in the first quarter, running a little play-fake rollout only to throw a quick crosser to Heuerman for a 10-yard gain. Overall, though the veteran tight end saw the field for just under half of Denver's offensive possessions, but the production still wasn't particularly newsworthy. With six catches, but just 41 yards, over the past two weeks -- Heuerman shouldn't be in consideration for fantasy purposes.
Sep 23, 2019 3:45 PM EST
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