Virgil Green – Denver Broncos BT Profile

Name: Virgil Green Height, Weight: 6’3″, 252 Position: Tight End Age, Experience: 28, 2 College: Nevada-Reno

Virgil Green was a seventh round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 2011. One of two rookie draft pick tight ends for the Broncos, he emerged as the more game-ready player at the position than fourth round pick Julius Thomas, along with a handful of veterans the Broncos brought into training camp. It’s interesting that Green was tabbed an athletic, pass-catching workout wonder following the Combine, but his impact in his first year was really felt in the run game. His physicality paid the Broncos dividends in their rushing offense and on all four phases of special teams.

2011 Analysis: Green had a solid training camp and preseason, elevating himself from the roster bubble and beating out the likes of Richard Quinn and Dan Gronkowski for the third tight end spot. GM Brian Xanders gave Green high praise before the season began — he said he watched the tight ends closely in nine-on-seven drills and game tape and that Green earned that third slot through his run blocking. The decision proved fortuitous come game time — Green’s blocks launched Willis McGahee to a number of long runs in 2011. He had three catches for 24 yards in the regular season.

Contract Status: Signed through 2014; Free agent 2015

2012 Outlook: Is Green the future of the Broncos’ tight end position? He just might be. Some had him tabbed as the draft’s top tight end prospect in 2011 and were surprised he fell to the seventh round (microfracture knee surgery as a freshman may have scared many teams off), and while Green didn’t become a game-changer in his rookie season, he made his impact felt. If he can elevate his route running and receiving skills in the offseason without cutting too much into his run blocking, he could become a real weapon for the Broncos.

As always, we invite you, the readers, to participate. Are you excited about the young Virgil Green, or was he too one-dimensional in his first year for your tastes?

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