Jeff

Heuerman

27-year-old Heuerman was clearly on the outside looking in after the team drafted fourth-round specimen Albert Okwuegbunam to play behind last year’s No. 20 overall pick Noah Fant. Heuerman totaled 63/678/5 in 51 games with the Broncos the past four seasons. Releasing him saves $3.9 million in cap space.

Heuerman briefly worked as the offense’s lead TE when Noah Fant (shoulder) was sidelined in the second quarter. The Broncos’ backup TE isn’t on the fantasy radar ahead of next week’s matchup against the Lions.

The Broncos were featuring Noah Fant as their clear-cut No. 2 pass-game option while Heuerman missed time with a knee injury. Fant will still work as the more-involved receiver more weeks than not, but Heuerman’s return has lowered the rookie TE’s already-meh floor in this low-scoring offense. It’s unlikely Heuerman continues to offer this type of target share, although this will be a situation worth monitoring as we get more reps from Drew Lock.

Noah Fant’s recent surge has occurred with Heuerman sidelined. It’s a similar situation to T.J. Hockenson and Dawson Knox: Fant will work as the offense’s undisputed starter with or without Heuerman, but the absence of the team’s steady veteran TE would lead to a more fantasy-friendly every-down role. Both of Fant’s touchdowns this season have been thanks to his elite ability after the catch, but Allen fed his TE consecutive end-zone targets in Week 11 with the game on the line. Continue to fire up the undisputed No. 2 pass-game option in this offense as a low-end TE1 despite the tough matchup.

Heuerman’s vacated 20 snaps and eight routes from last week should lead to even more opportunity for rookie TE Noah Fant, who spiked season-highs across the board in Week 8 following Emmanuel Sanders’ departure. Broncos tackles are still expected to struggle against Cleveland’s ferocious pass rush.

Heuerman’s absence means Noah Fant should play a near every-down role against the Browns. The Broncos’ first-round rookie had a season-high nine targets and five receptions in the offense’s first game without Emmanuel Sanders last week. Fant has an underrated opportunity to emerge as the offense’s No. 2 pass-game option moving forward, although the floor is low here inside of the league’s 28th-ranked scoring offense.

Heuerman has stolen snaps and targets alike from first-round TE Noah Fant all season. Fant played 82 percent of the offense’s snaps and had a season-high eight targets in Week 8 with Heuerman banged up. Still, it’ll be even tougher to trust any of the pass catchers in this offense as long as Joe Flacco (neck) is sidelined.

Heuerman went down in the first half and never returned. It’s potentially good news for Noah Fant, who played 82 percent of snaps and had a season-high eight targets. Fant should have an every-down role if Heuerman misses time.

A third-round pick in 2015, Heuerman’s career has been derailed by injuries to this point. He’s yet to play a full 16-game season and has missed 27-of-64 games. After catching 18 balls his first three years, Heuerman flashed with a 31-281-2 line last year before going on I.R. with broken ribs and a bruised lung after Week 12. Heuerman is big and athletic at 6'5/255. The Broncos let Matt LaCosse walk as a free agent, so Heuerman is currently atop the depth chart.

The fourth-year pro operated as the Broncos’ lead tight end this season, catching a career-high 31 passes for 281 yards. His previous bests were nine and 142, respectively. Heuerman was sidelined for his entire rookie season with a torn ACL and missed the occasional game in 2016-17. Now 26, he is headed to free agency.