Iowa product Noah Fant was a dynamic receiving tight end in college, hauling in 18 touchdown receptions during his final two years with the Hawkeyes. To be a successful tight end in the NFL, though, Fant will have to improve as a blocker.
Fortunately for Fant, he won’t face many edge rushers better than the one he has to go up against every day in practice: Von Miller.
“I’m going against the best pass rusher in the league, in my opinion,” Fant said after practice on July 18. “Watching him every day in practice, nobody can really top what he does, so it’s getting me better every day and I wouldn’t want that any other way. I’d rather be prepared in practice than have to go be up against him in a game and not really knowing what he’s going to do.
“That’s definitely a good thing for me and hopefully it’s a good thing for him too. Hopefully I can give him some competition and try to make each other better.”
Fant has done a decent job of blocking through a week of training camp, which hasn’t been a shock to coach Vic Fangio.
“I’m not surprised by it,” Fangio said after practice on July 22. “I thought he had the ability and the mindset to potentially be a better blocker than people thought he was or could be. That’s coming along. I’m pleased with that.”
Jeff Heuerman and Fant seem to be the favorites to win Denver’s top two tight end spots this summer. Fant will make his NFL debut when the Broncos take on the Falcons in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.
