TE · DEN · 31 yrs · exp 9 · Ole Miss
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Latest: Jul 24, 2026 · 2,192
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The Denver Broncos have an exciting group of rookies entering training camp. While many will be vying for practice squad spots, some have the potential to challenge for starting roles. Tight end Justin Joly is highlighted as a player who, despite not likely unseating starters Adam Trautman or Evan Engram, could earn significant playing time and a spot on the depth chart
Engram is a candidate to increase his production in his second season with the Broncos despite the team's addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the offseason, Susanna Weir of the Broncos' official site reports. Engram could benefit from decreased defensive attention as opponents focus on containing Waddle. Per Chad Jensen of SI.com, Engram seems to have earned more trust from Denver's coaching staff compared to his first year with the team, and the veteran tight end enjoyed a strong minicamp in June. Rookie fifth-round pick Justin Joly was the most notable offseason addition to a Broncos tight end room that also includes Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull
Broncos coach Sean Payton stated the team's clear intention to keep cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian long-term, highlighting his playmaking ability and skillset. McMillian is playing on a one-year, $5.767 million tender for the upcoming season, and while contract talks had not begun as of June, Payton's comments indicate he is a key piece for the team's future
One big question for the Denver Broncos in 2026 is how well their group of tight ends will perform. Last season, the group failed to impress as a whole, and high-profile free agent acquisition Evan Engram didn’t live up to the ‘Joker’ billing touted about him all offseason long. Even so, the Broncos brought back virtually everyone at the position group from last season for a chance to compete for a roster spot in this summer. One of those players is Nate Adkins who is entering his fourth year in the National Football League. A former FCS standout from East Tennessee State, Adkins finished his five-year collegiate career with the South Carolina Gamecocks. A longshot to make the Broncos’ squad in 2023 as an undrafted free agent, Adkins’ positional versatility, blocking ability, and special teams’ prowess earned him a spot on the final 53-man roster. After an impressive second season with the Broncos in 2024, his overall impact was limited in 2025 due to missing nearly half of the season after a knee injury late in Denver ’s win against the Dallas Cowboys . With some new players added to the position group can Adkins find a way to make the roster for a fourth straight season? Let’s discuss. Age: 26 | Experience: Fourth Year | College: South Carolina | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 252 pounds Arm Length : 31-3/8” | Hand Size: 9” | Vertical : 31” | Broad Jump: 10’ | Bench: 14 reps 40-Yard Dash : 4.87 seconds | 3-Cone: 7.33 seconds | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.40 seconds 2025 Statistics : 9 games played, 6 starts. 6 catches on 11 targets for 48 yards and 1 touchdown. 199 offensive snaps, 46 special teams’ snaps. In 2024, Adkins played in all 17 regular season games and had 14 receptions for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Last year, he notched just 6 receptions for 48 yards and only one touchdown. He saw 33-percent of Denver’s offensive snaps in the 9 games he played last season but had a career low 46 snaps (18-percent) on special teams. The Broncos extended Adam Trautman and have Evan Engram slated to be their move tight end. This past April, they added Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley to the tight end room on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Additionally, Lucas Krull and Caleb Lohner will also be challenging for a roster spot. In my opinion, Adkins isn’t a lock for the final 53-man roster. Given Joly’s status as a fourth-round draft pick, I’d say he is a far safer bet to make the roster as a third tight end for the Broncos. Even if the Broncos opt to have four active tight ends on the roster, the fourth-year pro will have to perform well during training camp and preseason to earn a spot on this year’s squad. Adkins’ ability to line up at multiple spots and perform well on special teams go in his favor. Additionally, he has a strong knowledge of the playbook giving him an edge against some of the other younger players mentioned. Perhaps Adkins’ true battle to make the final 53 isn’t a tight end numbers game, but a question on whether or not the Broncos’ brass believe he could replace fullback Adam Prentice ’s role on the squad
Brenton Strange is staying in Jacksonville for the long haul. The Jaguars and the tight end agreed to a three-year, $48 million extension Wednesday with up to $25 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported Wednesday. The extension keeps Strange in Jacksonville until at least 2029, as the 25-year-old was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Strange’s contract ranks fifth among tight ends in average annual value ($16 million) and eighth in total money. After playing for Penn State from 2019-22 and hauling in 11 touchdowns over four years, the Jaguars selected Strange 61st overall in 2023 to support quarterback Trevor Lawrence . Strange was buried behind Evan Engram on the Jaguars’ depth chart as a rookie, making just five catches for 35 yards despite appearing in 14 games. But with Engram playing just nine games in 2024 amid a disastrous 4-13 Jaguars season, Strange played in all 17 games and had 40 catches, 411 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Penn State product took his game to a new level in 2025, setting career highs in catches (46), receiving yards (540) and touchdowns (three). Strange’s progression last year was a major factor in how the Jaguars increased their win total by nine games to 13-4 en route to an AFC South title. When Strange was healthy for 12 games last season, the Jaguars went 11-1 and averaged 30.1 points. When he was sidelined for five contests, they went 2-3 and put up just 22.6 points per game. Strange should continue to play a key role in Liam Coen’s offense in 2026, even with the team taking another tight end in Nate Boerkircher early in the draft. The Jaguars open their 2026 season at home against the Browns on Sept. 13
Broncos tight end Caleb Lohner will miss the rest of the offseason program after a cleanup surgery, Mike Klis of 9News reports. The body part is specified only as lower body. Lohner is expected to be ready for training camp. The Broncos made him a seventh-round pick in 2025. He was primarily a basketball player before transitioning to football in 2024 when he caught four touchdowns for Utah. Lohner spent last season on Denver’s practice squad but did not play in the regular season. The Broncos elevated him to the game-day roster for the divisional round game against the Bills, but he ended up being inactive. The Broncos have Evan Engram, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins on the depth chart ahead of Lohner, and the team drafted Justin Joy, so Lohner has his work cut out for him to make the roster
Broncos tight end Caleb Lohner will miss the rest of the offseason program after a cleanup surgery, Mike Klis of 9News reports. The body part is specified only as lower body. Lohner is expected to be ready for training camp. The Broncos made him a seventh-round pick in 2025. He was primarily a basketball player before transitioning to football in 2024 when he caught four touchdowns for Utah. Lohner spent last season on Denver 's practice squad but did not play in the regular season. The Broncos elevated him to the game-day roster for the divisional round game against the Bills, but he ended up being inactive. The Broncos have Evan Engram , Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins on the depth chart ahead of Lohner, and the team drafted Justin Joy, so Lohner has his work cut out for him to make the roster
According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, Broncos tight end Caleb Lohner underwent a routine lower-body procedure and will miss the next two weeks of OTA and minicamp practices. However, Klis notes that Lohner is expected to be full-go by the start of training camp. Multiple media members who attended last week’s practice noted that Lohner was among the players not participating, and some were speculating whether he suffered an injury or not. Well, now we know he underwent a lower-body procedure and will be sidelined until the start of training camp. This is a small setback for Lohner, who drew praise from head coach Sean Payton earlier this spring when he, out of the blue, went out of his way to praise Lohner and his development. This put the former 7th-round developmental tight end on the radar of players who could have breakout performances this spring/summer, but this is certainly a step in the wrong direction. Lohner needs all the snaps and reps he can get, so missing out on two weeks of practice and development isn’t great. With that said, he still has all of training camp and the preseason to continue making his case for a roster spot and obviously already has the attention of the head coach. So, all is not lost for Lohner and his quest for a spot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. With Lohner sidelined, all eyes will be on the two Broncos rookie tight ends, Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley. Both are competing for roles and potentially a roster spot(Joly is probably a lock) and are competing with Caleb Lohner for a role and roster spot with the Broncos. These two weeks will give them a chance to possibly separate themselves from Lohner before he eventually returns for the start of training camp. The competition behind veteran tight ends Evan Engram and Adam Trautman is going to be one of the more intriguing aspects of Broncos training camp. You have a developmental project in Lohner, two rookies in Joly and Bentley, a blocking specialist in Nate Adkins , and Lucas Krull . We’ll see how it all shakes out moving forward, but in the short-term, Caleb Lohner will be sidelined these next few weeks but will be ready for the start of training camp later next month
Courtland Sutton stated he is unconcerned with being the primary wide receiver for the Denver Broncos following the acquisition of Jaylen Waddle. Sutton emphasized a team-first mentality and confidence that targets will distribute naturally based on performance, referencing the team's success with a selfless approach last season. The Broncos already spread the ball around in 2025, with Troy Franklin and Evan Engram also recording significant receptions
Adds: Evan Engram. Drops: Josh Cuevas
Drops: Evan Engram
Sleeper trending/drop: Evan Engram (4066) count=1840 (Δ1840 vs prior poll)
The Denver Broncos traded up to pick 152 to select NC State tight end Justin Joly in the 5th round of the 2026 NFL Draft. We all expected the Broncos to draft a tight end, and they ended up drafting two, with Joly being the first due to a trade-up. Joly is a 6-3, 245-pound tight end with 32 3/4 inch arms and 10 5/8 inch hands and profiles as a contested catch move tight end who will be a weapon in the middle of the field and in the red zone. After starting his college career at UConn, Joly played the past two seasons at NC State and turned into one of the better playmaking tight ends in the nation. During his two seasons, he appeared in 25 games and totaled 92 receptions for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns. This past year, he totaled 49 receptions for 489 yards and 7 touchdowns The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Justin Joly as his TE5 in this draft and had a 3rd/4th round grade on him. Now, the Broncos trade up to get him in the 5th round. Brugler calls Joly a versatile pass catcher, and due to his athleticism, ball skills, and upside, he profiles as a three-level threat. Joly is a good-sized athlete who can drop his weight at the top of routes and uncover with foot quicks and savvy. He has large, strong hands and has developed into a ball winner with his ability to frame the catch and finish, regardless of his surroundings. He competes as a blocker and has the coordination to stay attached but lacks the body power to dominate the point of attack. Joly is a versatile pass catcher, because of his athleticism, ball skills and upside as a three-level threat. Built in the mold of Jonnu Smith , he is more Robin than Batman and ideally suited as a “move” tight end in a 12-personnel offense. Joly was drafted to give the Broncos some life to their tight end room, which was not very good last season. Veteran Evan Engram failed to live up to expectations after being signed to be the ‘Joker’, and Adam Trautman is mostly used to block. Joly is a contested catch monster and can be a receiving threat in the middle of the field and in the red zone/end zone for quarterback Bo Nix . Most analysts projected Joly to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 player, but he slipped into the 5th round, and the Broncos had to pounce. They got some good value and a tight end who could turn into a potential playmaker for the Broncos moving forward. Justin Joly | Tight End | Broncos Height: 6-3 Weight: 245 pounds Arm Length: 32 3/4 inches Hand Size: 10 5/8 inches Age: 21 years old Experience: Rookie Vertical Jump: 30.5 inches Broad Jump: 9-6 Short Shuttle: 4.65 seconds 2025 stats: 49 receptions for 489 yards and 7 touchdowns Joly should have a role in the Denver Broncos offense this upcoming season. While he’s a 5th-round pick, I am confident in saying he is locked into a roster spot. He is someone who many believed could be in play for the Broncos in Day 2 and certainly in the 4th round. However, he slipped into the 5th round, and the Broncos moved up to get him. He is your classic “move tight end” who thrives at contested catches and inside the red zone. We could see him used in some two-tight-end sets, be a target in the middle of the field, and be a featured red-zone weapon for quarterback Bo Nix. He has big, strong hands and has thrived in those roles in college, and I believe that is how he will be used in the NFL moving forward. With that said, veteran Evan Engram is expected to be the featured pass-catching tight end once again this season, so Joly will need to earn his playing time. Like all pass-catching tight ends, Joly will need to prove himself as a blocker at the next level, too, but Head Coach Sean Payton told reporters that they view Joly more as an “F” tight end while fellow rookie tight end Dallen Bentley is more of the in-line guy. With Bentley, there’s a more in-line wide, bigger. He does a great job down the field. With Joly, that would put him more in the ‘F’ category. Both are tight ends, and both have unique skill sets. Th [... truncated ...]
Drops: Evan Engram
Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram remains atop the depth chart after the team didn't select any other tight ends until Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Engram was held to just 50 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown last year, posting the worst per-game averages of his nine-year career. It was a frustrating transition to Denver after Engram had been a top-five tight end in two of his three years with the Jaguars. A lot of people expected Engram to have a big role in head coach Sean Payton's offense, so it was concerning to see him finish as the TE29 last year. That outcome raised questions about his fantasy outlook going forward, but the Broncos' front office hinted that Engram will be far more involved in 2026. Additionally, the team didn't bring in any competition in free agency, and they waited until the fifth round to select NC State tight end prospect Justin Joly. With Day 3 draft capital, it will take a while for Joly to compete with Engram, if that ever happens at all. Engram remains the clear-cut No. 1 tight end in Denver, so now, he just needs to perform like one. There's still top-12 upside here if he's as involved as the Broncos have been hinting
Broncos GM George Paton said the team wants to add to TE Evan Engram's workload next year. It is also worth noting that Denver has been linked to the top tight end prospects in next week's draft. That will need to be monitored to get a better idea of Engram's role heading into next season
Broncos tight end Evan Engram signed with Denver in 2025 following an injury-hampered final season in Jacksonville, and while he was able to appear in 16 games, his 28.8 yards per contest were the second-lowest total of his nine-year career. The Broncos got flashes out of their young receiving core of Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr., and the team recently paid up to pair explosive playmaker Jaylen Waddle with the steady target-earner Courtland Sutton. All of that amounts to a crowded group of pass catchers before even factoring in the 83 Denver targets that went to running backs in 2025. Head coach Sean Payton has made no secret that he wants to add a level of dynamism to the tight end position, and with the 2026 NFL Draft offering a deep class with varied skillsets, he will likely be on the hunt to fill the fabled Joker role he's struggled to implement since coming to Denver. Engram is RotoBaller's TE35 in dynasty rankings, and should the Broncos spend early capital at the position, it could mark the official end of what was at times an exciting fantasy career
Adds: Evan Engram
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