Saubert impressing coaches
Over 40 career games across four seasons in Atlanta, Chicago and Jacksonville, Eric Saubert established himself as a reliable reserve tight end and special teams player.
He’s cemented that rep, and then some, as the Broncos’ new No. 3 tight end thanks to a strong training camp and preseason performance. Saubert’s shown enough for coach Vic Fangio to declare the veteran “a good addition” to an already-talented Denver tight end room.
“He’s definitely a guy you can tell has played in the NFL,” Fangio said. “He likes football, he’s tough, he’s competitive, he’s a good teammate.”
Special teams coach Tom Mcmahon singled Saubert out for his business-like approach and on-field aggressiveness since signing with the Broncos on May 3. Mcmahon said Saubert will be a core player on all of Denver’s special teams units in 2021.
“It’s hard to find a tight end who can run like him, and he’s as physical as a linebacker,” Mcmahon said. “He can shed (blocks), he does every single thing you ask him to do, he’s prepared. He comes into the (special teams) meeting rooms and all the guys see his notebook. And he’s just mean on the field.
“That’s what you need — you need a physical guy that’s your third tight end. And he accepts his role, he loves his role and he wants to be the best tight end in the league on special teams.”
Saubert, who has 10 catches for 85 yards and zero TDS in his career, has been reunited with Broncos tight end coach Wade Harman, who was Saubert’s positional coach for two seasons with the Falcons. Despite his track record of being mostly a blocker, Saubert — who has four catches for 54 yards in two preseason games with Denver — didn’t rule out getting some targets from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
“I just love working with this room and working with Wade,” Saubert said. “Where that (exact role) leads, I don’t know yet, but I’m excited for it.”
At 27, Saubert is the oldest player in a Broncos tight end
room headlined by 23-year-olds Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam. Austin Fort, 26, is also still on the roster, as is undrafted free agent Shaun Beyer, 24, and fullback/tight end hybrid Andrew Beck, 25.
Fort says Saubert’s age and experience has translated to leadership.
“He’s been our vet guy since he got here,” Fort explained. “He’s just been a rock. He knows what it takes to be successful in the league and to stay around, he’s a hard worker, he’s consistent. He’s showing us a blueprint and I’m taking a lot of things from his game.”
Harman has also seen Saubert embrace his role as a positional mentor, and echoed Fangio and Mcmahon’s feelings about the Broncos’ faith in their tight end depth heading into the season.
“He’s a veteran guy who will do whatever you need done,” Harman said. “And we know that if Noah or Albert are off the field, the level (of execution) won’t fall off.”