Stokley: Broncos need to ‘find an upgrade’ at tight end position

When free agency rolled around on March 14, Brandon Stokley thought the Denver Broncos certainly would address at least one position of need in particular: tight end.

But, nearly a week into free agency — more than a week including the legal tampering period — Denver has not added a player to the tight end room, leaving the “Stokley and Zach” co-host confused.

“Be aggressive, and let’s address our tight end position and go get whoever. You’ve got money to spend. Let’s spend it on a tight end,” Stokley said. “Whoever our quarterback is, we’re going to need an upgrade at the tight end position. And I’m just left here shocked.”

On Friday, Stokley’s co-host Zach Bye asked him if, over the weekend, the Broncos would likely make a move to add a tight end — specifically Eric Ebron, who had been released by the Detroit Lions before the start of free agency and not found a landing spot.

Instead, Ebron signed with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week, leaving Stokley wondering “what direction” the Broncos are heading.

“Is he ‘special’ special? No, but he’s a huge upgrade over what we have. And nothing happened there,” Stokley said. “He signs with the Colts, and nothing has happened at all at the tight end position.

“So, I don’t know what their plan is here.”

With the departure of Virgil Green in free agency and A.J. Derby midway through last season — the team’s top two receiving tight ends — the Broncos have three players in left in the room — Jeff Heuerman and Austin Traylor, who played in limited roles in 2017, and Jake Butt, who spent his rookie season recovering from an ACL injury.

Combined, Heuerman and Traylor had 17 catches last season for 242 yards and two touchdowns — roughly the same amount of production as Derby, with 19 catches for 224 yards and two scores.

Stokley said the Broncos can’t rely on Heuerman having a “breakout year” as their plan, a sentiment in which “The Drive” co-host Alfred Williams agreed.

“I don’t want a situation where we are saying that Jeff Heuerman is going to be the guy that we depend on,” Williams said.

Williams pushed for the Broncos to bring in veteran free agent Marcedes Lewis, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday.

“At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, that is a great looking tight end who has an unbelievable range for catching the football,” Williams said.

“Also, the right tight end, when you’re talking about an inexperienced right tackle — if we don’t get one — can help secure the perimeter on the right side. It’s like having an extra offensive lineman.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.