HEADLINES

Stokley: Either Butt or Heuerman must step up as go-to Broncos TE

Jun 19, 2018, 5:46 PM

On way to an NFC Championship Game berth with the Minnesota Vikings, new Denver Broncos starting quarterback Case Keenum targeted tight end Kyle Rudolph 15.57 percent of the time.

Comparatively, Rudolph’s 81 targets fell just behind Stefon Diggs’ 95 (18.26 percent) and Adam Thielen’s 142 (27.3 percent).

When talking about the percentage of touchdown passes caught, Rudolph’s numbers soar. His eight scoring receptions, which tied Diggs for the team-lead in 2017, make up 32 percent of Keenum’s touchdown tosses.

The point being, Keenum likes to target the tight end.

Tight end utilization was the “one glaring difference” between the Broncos and Vikings in 2017, “Stokley and Zach” host Zach Bye said on Tuesday.

Of the club’s 19 passing touchdowns last season, Broncos tight ends caught five (26.32 percent). As for receptions and targets, however, Denver’s tight ends accounted for 15.06 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively.

And with a lot of passes potentially coming their way this season, Bye’s co-host Brandon Stokley said Jake Butt and Jeff Heuerman better take advantage.

“Case Keenum likes to use the tight end. They’re going to have opportunities to make plays and contribute,” Stokley said. “And you’ve got a competent quarterback. It should really help that group out.”

However, Stokley questioned whether Broncos Country will see the emergence of Heuerman — who has just 18 career receptions for 283 yards and two touchdowns — or if Butt will overtake him at the club’s top tight end target.

“Will we see the emergence of Jeff Heuerman, or will Jeff Heuerman stay the same, and then all of a sudden we’ll see the emergence of Jake Butt?” Stokley said. “One of those two guys has to step up and play a big role in the tight end position for the Broncos next year.”

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

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