Although glaring needs did not appear to exist on the Broncos’ depth chart entering the draft, the team carried a few positions that could use help. Tight end and inside linebacker were at or near the top of that list, but Denver waited until Day 3 of the draft to address those spots.
The Broncos chose tight ends Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley in Rounds 5 and 7, respectively, and made linebacker Red Murdock this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. But the team looked into these positions earlier in the draft.
Tight end was a consideration “somewhat early” for the Broncos, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Considering the pre-draft work the Broncos did at tight end, it is unsurprising the team looked into the position earlier. Denver held the No. 62 overall pick but traded down to No. 66. Two of the TEs the team used “30” visits on — Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Ohio State’s Max Klare — went off the board in Round 2, with the Rams taking Klare one spot before the Broncos’ second-round pick. The Texans also chose Michigan’s Marlin Klein at No. 59.
Joly, however, also made a trip to Denver for a pre-draft meeting. The NC State product was a consistent producer in Raleigh and put up notable stats at UConn from 2022-23. Joly caught a career-high seven touchdown passes last season but was more productive for a yardage standpoint in 2024, when he tallied a career-best 661 to go with four TD grabs (his 15.4 yards per reception ranked fourth among Division I-FBS tight ends). The Broncos preferred Joly’s 2024 tape, according to Fowler, who notes the pass catcher played at a lighter weight that season.
Joly weighed 241 pounds at the Combine but was listed at 263 on the Wolfpack’s 2025 roster. With the team trading up 18 spots to land Joly at No. 152, it will be interesting to see where he checks in during his first Bronco campaign. The team decided to retain Evan Engram, despite an unremarkable 2025 season, and $5MM of his $10.99MM 2026 salary is already guaranteed. Engram, 31, could serve as a bridge while Joly develops in Sean Payton‘s offense. Denver also re-signed Adam Trautman in free agency.
The Broncos also re-signed linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, recommitting to each and releasing Dre Greenlaw. Singleton is 32, while Strnad will turn 30 before Week 1. The team not identifying a linebacker prospect earlier than No. 257 (Murdock) may inject some risk into the proceedings and make the Broncos a candidate for a pre-Week 1 signing. The team does still roster Drew Sanders, who has battled injuries as a pro, and is planning to try edge rusher Jonah Elliss at ILB this offseason.
Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt said (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) the team wanted to add a linebacker in the draft but did not see it as a critical area of need. The draft also saw some ILB options go off the board shortly before No. 62. The Vikings, Colts and Titans respectively chose Jake Golday (No. 51), C.J. Allen (No. 53) and Anthony Hill Jr. (No. 60). The Broncos opted to trade down, and they made Texas A&M interior D-lineman Tyler Onyedim their first draftee.
Teams are going to regret passing on Joly.