Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Jeff Heuerman (82) of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Justin Reid (20) of the Houston Texans after a catch during the fourth quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Houston Texans at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. 
Getting your player ready...
John Elway switched things up this year.
Yes, he drafted a tight end for the fourth year in a row, and the fifth time in his last six NFL drafts. But this time he picked an SEC tight end with his selection of Missouri’s Albert Okwuegbunam. The previous four: All from the Big Ten.
Sometimes, you gotta zig when everyone else zags.
Here’s a look at how the previous four tight end draftees fared with the Broncos:
| Year | Round (overall) | Player (School) | Games | Rec-Yds-TDs |
| 2019 | 1 (20) | Noah Fant (Iowa) | 16 | 40-562-3 |
| Comment: Set Broncos rookie records for TEs in receptions (40) and receiving yards (562). | ||||
| 2018 | 5 (156) | Troy Fumagalli (Wisconsin) | 11 | 6-38-1 |
| Comment: Missed all of 2018 after sports hernia surgery, but played 157 snaps in 2019. | ||||
| 2017 | 5 (145) | Jake Butt (Michigan) | 3 | 8-85-0 |
| Comment: Knee injuries have kept Butt off field. Last regular-season snap came in 2018. | ||||
| 2015 | 3 (92) | Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State) | 51 | 63-678-5 |
| Comment: Started 29 of 51 games for Broncos, with best season coming in 2018: 31-281-2. | ||||
