ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When the topic of the 2015 Denver Broncos' offense comes up around the team, the discussion often centers around what the group didn't have.

It didn't have a healthy Peyton Manning, a fully healthy C.J. Anderson at running back, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas at his best or continuity on the offensive line.

And at tight end, the Broncos had high hopes for Jeff Heuerman. But his rookie season but it ended almost before it began. Heuerman tore his ACL in rookie minicamp shortly after the 2015 draft and missed the Super Bowl season.

But his recovery from that injury and his potential in this year's offense have already been noticed.

"I like what I've seen from him," said former Broncos running back Terrell Davis, who visited practice earlier this week. "He could have some real impact ... that's a big target and I like what I saw on the field from him."

Even after the shortest of glimpses of Heuerman before the injury, he was a player coach Gary Kubiak said would have a significant role.

When Manning was rehabbing his foot injury last season, he needed receivers for the workouts and Heuerman was used plenty. And when the season was done, after weeks in the School of Manning, it was none other than Manning who predicted Heuerman would have impact in the Broncos' offense in the season to come.

Thus far, Manning has been right. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Heuerman has worked plenty with the starters and flashed some down-the-field ability in the passing game to go with physical play along the line of scrimmage.

So much so, Heuerman may already be the best receiver/blocker combination the Broncos have at tight end.

"(Heuerman) has been good," Kubiak said. "He worked his tail off to get back and he's ready to go, no limitations in what we're doing and he gives us a chance to do some things at that position."

And things figure to be different this time around. The Broncos got four touchdown receptions from all of their tight ends combined in the 2015 regular season -- three of those from Owen Daniels, who was released in March.

The Broncos figure to be in more two-tight end sets and two-back sets this season. Heuerman and Virgil Green have lined up most often with the starting offense early in camp.

Green has 35 receptions in his previous five seasons combined to go with two career touchdown catches. And while Green has annually expressed his optimism at training camp, Heuerman looks like he could be the top receiving option at the position.

"I just am trying to stay consistent," Heuerman said. "That's my No. 1 goal is to be consistent in how I do things, in my assignments."

Heuerman's defensive teammates say he's been tough to cover at times, even as he essentially goes through what is his rookie training camp.

He's a big guy," said Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall. "He can kind of shield the ball, runs well, gets to the ball. I think they'll get him the ball a lot on offense. I would, that's a tough match-up."