Adam Trautman is not a flashy tight end.
The 26-year-old veteran turned heads with an impressive touchdown catch last week, but he is not typically heavily involved in the passing game. Trautman has 16 receptions for 125 yards and two scores so far this year, modest production through 11 games.
Since the start of preseason, though, Trautman has been listed as the team’s starting tight end. That was a surprise depth chart development at the time, but it wasn’t surprising to those familiar with Sean Payton’s history.
Back in 2020, Payton traded all four of the New Orleans Saints’ remaining draft picks to move up in the third round to draft Trautman out of Dayton. Then, after joining the Broncos this offseason, Payton traded another draft pick to the Saints to acquire Trautman again. Payton has traded five total picks in two trades to land the tight end.
So what does he like so much about Trautman?
“I would say you know exactly what you’re getting,” Payton said earlier this week. “In other words, there are certain things he does well. I think he has a good feel in zone coverage. I think he’s a good blocker. I think he’s smart. We felt with [Greg] Dulcich, and we felt with [Chris] Manhertz that there was a role for each one of these players, and certainly, with Adam. [I] drafted him out of Dayton. We kind of knew exactly what we were getting, and there’s something to be said for that.
“Sometimes when you’re game planning and putting together a plan, what can be frustrating is if you don’t know what you’re getting week-to-week from a player. I was pleased. His pitch count was higher yesterday and not as high a few weeks back. The catch he made was important. He’s a smart player. We’re glad we have him. I’m glad we didn’t have to give up the back end of our draft to get him.”
Trautman has totaled 76 receptions for 766 yards and six touchdowns through four seasons in the NFL. It’s not flashy production, but Trautman consistently does the role asked of him well, and Payton values that.
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