Adam

Trautman

Trautman caught just 13 balls in Year 2 under coach Sean Payton in Denver, who also coached Trautman in New Orleans. Payton clearly loves the seam stretcher, but he’s a month shy of his 28th birthday and due to count a preposterous $4.5 million against the cap next season. At the very least, an adjustment is coming.

It was Trautman’s second touchdown of the 2024 season and his highest receiving yardage total in well over a month. He logged a pass route on a meager 12 of the Broncos’ 39 drop backs against the Colts. Nate Adkins, who also caught a touchdown in Week 15, ran 11 routes on the day. Neither Denver tight end is fantasy viable.

Two Chiefs defenders collided with each other over the middle as Trautman rumbled into Chiefs territory to set up Devaughn Vele’s touchdown. Trautman out-snapped Lucas Krull 33 to 12. Neither player is particularly fantasy-interesting in Week 11 against the Falcons.

It was National Tight End Day so of course Trautman had a big day. The former third-round pick made a nifty one-handed catch on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix, and a few other nice plays. Trautman offers some athleticism, but is more of a blocking option than someone fantasy managers should count on. That includes his matchup in Week 9 against the Ravens.

Krull mixed in for one first-team-offense snap, playing behind starter Adam Trautman (0 targets) and Greg Dulcich (who caught 1-of-2 targets for 5 yards). Should the Broncos continue their tight end quagmire, none of the three will be fantasy-relevant.

Trautman began his career with Sean Payton in New Orleans and closed out his rookie deal with Payton once again, this time in Denver after the Broncos traded for him last offseason. With Greg Dulcich missing most of the season due to injury, Trautman appeared in all 17 games and was credited with 12 starts. He totaled 22 receptions for 204 yards and three scores. Trautman isn’t on the fantasy radar for 2024 but he should see enough run on offense to prevent a Dulcich breakout as well.

Acquired via a draft day trade, Trautman reunited with Sean Payton for 2023. He was forced into a larger-than-expected role with Greg Dulcich missing most of the season but was unable to make much of the extra reps. He caught 22 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns despite appearing in all 17 games, the bulk of which were credited as starts. Trautman will likely sign a short-term deal as a backup in free agency. Given how much Payton values system knowledge, Trautman’s most likely landing spot is Denver.

A 10-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter gave Trautman his third touchdown of the season. The Broncos’ tight end position has been a productive one this season as far as fantasy managers are concerned, as Trautman’s 19 receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns currently lead the position group. Fantasy managers need not chase Trautman’s Week 14 production into Week 15 when the Broncos take on the Lions.

Trautman continues to play nearly every offensive snap for the Broncos but remains an afterthought in the pass game, most valuable as a blocker off the edge. Next up for the veteran tight end is a difficult matchup with the man-heavy Browns in Week 12.

The return to health of tight end Lucas Krull put a cap on an already low route participation rate for the veteran tight end in Week 10. That could signal an end to any remnant of fantasy value moving forward.