Broncos TE Nate Adkins will return as a blocking specialist and core special teamer

Broncos tight end Nate Adkins, the run blocking specialist will return as an overlooked but valuable member to the team.

After all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, South Carolina tight end Nate Adkins did not hear his name called. However, he quickly received a call from the Denver Broncos and would soon sign with them as an undrafted free agent. His odds of making the team seemed low at the time, but he was viewed as a solid blocker who could contribute on special teams.

Despite these low odds, Adkins quickly became a favorite of Head Coach Sean Payton due to his versatility. He was arguably the best run-blocking tight end on the roster, could play fullback, had some receiving upside, and would become a key member of the special teams. Due to this, Adkins would make the Broncos’ 53-man roster coming out of training camp and play in 10 total games during his rookie season, totaling 4 receptions for 22 yards.

Adkins would enter year two firmly on the roster due to his versatility and saw his role grow a bit more in Sean Payton’s offense. He was once again one of the best run-blocking tight ends on the roster; he was used more in the passing game and saw his role on special teams grow as well. He would finish the year with 14 receptions for 115 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, along with being a key run blocker and core special teamer.

Now, he enters his third year with the Broncos with a roster spot and role likely secured in Sean Payton’s offense

Player Profile

Nate Adkins | Tight End | Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 252 pounds

Age: 25 years old

Experience: 3rd NFL season

2024 stats: 14 receptions for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns

Broncos TE Nate Adkins 2025 Outlook

Adkins has little to no competition for his role in Sean Payton’s offense as the run-blocking specialist tight end and seems fairly locked into a roster spot. Add in his versatility as a core special-teams player and his versatility to play fullback if needed, and he is a valuable bottom-of-the-roster player who does a lot of the dirty work.

On top of all that, he seems like a favorite of Head Coach Sean Payton. Last August, during training camp, Payton was asked about Adkins and spoke glowingly about his tight end. He told reporters that Adkins always grades out well during practices and that he’s very smart. dependable, and a really good blocker.

“Here’s the one thing I would say. He’s one of those guys—even when he came out of South Carolina. You could count on one hand his catches in college. He was a blocking ‘F’, not just fullback but tight end. Whatever the assignment is, he’s one of those guys that when you grade the practice, he ends up in the 90s always. The same thing happens in the kicking game. He gets his guy blocked. So he understands space and leverage. He’s a little better receiver than we expected, but he is that F-type player so he meets with the tight ends. If one day I said, “Go meet with the fullbacks and the running backs,” nothing would change. He’s very smart. He’s very dependable, and I would say he’s really good relative to blocking and blocking in space and that’s why it carries over in the kicking game.”

After these comments, we saw Adkins’ role grow during the 2024 season, and it appears he’ll have a similar role this upcoming season.

The Broncos did bring in veteran tight end Evan Engram during free agency, but his addition doesn’t really impact Adkins. Engram was brought in to catch passes and will line up in the slot or outside more often than not. Adkins will be your traditional in-line blocker who will help open up running lanes for rookie running back R.J. Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins.

Could we see Adkins play fullback this upcoming season? It’s possible, but the Broncos did re-sign veteran fullback Michael Burton. It is possible you could open up a roster spot here and have Adkins be a TE/FB, but it all depends on how Payton structures the Broncos’ 53-man roster.

Final Thoughts

Adkins is locked into a roster spot, in my opinion. While it’s not the sexiest role on the team, the blocking specialist/special teamer role is pretty important in a Sean Payton team. He values both aspects and will round out his roster with players like these.

Payton likes Adkins, and he’ll be the Broncos’ run-blocking specialist tight end, core special teamer, and someone who catches a few touchdowns this upcoming season.