3. Nick Vannett
Experience: Senior School: Ohio State
Height/Weight: 6-6/257 pounds Projected Round: 3rd
Career Stats: 55 receptions; 585 yards; 6 touchdowns
Nick Vannett comes out of Ohio State very much the same way that Heuerman did just a year ago. Both are similar in size (Heuerman is 6-5/255), both have potential to be solid in the run and pass game, both were not fully utilized at Ohio State and both could be third-round picks (Heuerman was Broncos third round pick).
Since Vannett was on a very talented Ohio State offense, his skills were not fully shown off in college. While he wasn’t used much in the passing game, he has good hands, which could be a hopeful sign for him being a threat in the passing game in the NFL.
He also proved that he could line up in many different positions and block effectively in space or on the line, which is an important quality for an NFL-caliber tight end.
A few places of improvement for Vannett is that he can work on getting separation in the passing game as well as being stronger at the point of attack in the run game. Route running and getting separation is very coachable and shouldn’t be viewed as a major negative. Once he gets bigger and adds muscle, he can develop his blocking power.
Vannett has a high ceiling for continued growth, and has not come close to that yet. He could have an impact on a team this year, even though he will continue to get better in the years to come. It would be very interesting if the Broncos went back-to-back years taking very similar players, from the same college, with their third-round pick in the draft.
