5 burning questions the Broncos must answer in 2019

3. Could TE Noah Fant become QB Joe Flacco’s Dennis Pitta?

When last we saw quarterback Joe Flacco in the Super Bowl, he was in the midst of a magnificent four-game playoff stretch which saw the eventual NFL champion throw a combined 11 touchdown passes without interception in the Baltimore Ravens’ 2012 championships postseason. That team featured a more-than-capable wide receiving corps in prolific Anquan Boldin, speedster Torrey Smith and multi-threat Jacoby Jones.

But Flacco also relied heavily on tight end Dennis Pitta, arguably the unsung star of the offense. That season, the 2010 fourth-round draft choice from BYU totaled 61 receptions for 669 yards and seven scores in 16 regular-season outings. There were also 14 catches for 163 yards and threw more touchdowns in the team’s playoff wins over the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.

In April, the Broncos used the 20th overall pick on University of Iowa tight end Noah Fant. He earned high praise from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein before the draft in terms of a receiving target. “He needs to get stronger and more competitive at the point of attack to help a run game, but if that never happens, his ability to uncover and hit big plays will still make him a coveted prize for teams ready to add a move tight end as their new matchup toy.”

Could Fant be Flacco’s new Pitta? The 6’4”, 249-pound target could open up the Denver offense in numerous ways.

Next: No. 2