Broncos Eyeing Tight End Depth?
At the moment, the Broncos are set to return much of their same offensive skill players from 2025. However, if the front office has its way, that grouping will ultimately feature some new faces.
[RELATED: Broncos, TE Adam Trautman Agree To Deal]
According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Broncos may not “done yet” at the tight end position. The reporter adds that the team did have interest in Dallas Goedert before he re-upped with the Eagles. Breer also notes that David Njoku remains unsigned, although the reporter doesn’t go as far as to report any definitive interest.
To the Broncos credit, they attempted to address the position last offseason when they gave Evan Engram a three-year, $23MM deal. While the veteran was coming off a nine-game showing in 2024, he topped 100 receptions as recently as 2023. While the free agent acquisition did get into 16 games for his new squad, he disappointed when he was on the field.
His 28.8-yards-per-game mark was the second-lowest of his career, and his 3.1 receptions per game represented a new career-low. He ultimately finished the campaign with 50 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown. He was limited to only 42 percent of his team’s offensive snaps, the first time in his career he finished below the 50-percent mark.
The Broncos ended up leaning heavily on Adam Trautman at TE, and the veteran continued to perform as one of the league’s elite blockers at the position. The team showed their commitment to the 29-year-old by handing him a three-year deal last week. However, Trautman would never be confused with an offensive threat, as his best pass-catching season saw him haul in 27 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns with the Saints in 2021.
If the Broncos are looking for a legitimate pass-catcher at the position, then Njoku would likely be the best bet. Otherwise, the team is eyeing the likes of Jonnu Smith, Darren Waller, and an injured Zach Ertz. The team could also look to the draft, where Kenyon Sadiq would be a logical target. However, considering the Oregon product is the only tight end with a definitive first-round grade, the Broncos would likely have to move up from No. 30 to acquire the prospect.
Broncos Rumors: Franklin-Myers, Powers, Trautman, TE, Lewis, Singleton, Strnad
It looks like the Broncos are days away from losing John Franklin-Myers. Although a degree of interest has come from the reigning AFC West champs, no offer is believed to have come. Denver extended Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto during training camp and then paid Luke Wattenberg, Malcolm Roach and Wil Lutz. The Allen, Bonitto and Roach extensions followed Jonathon Cooper‘s 2024 re-up and the March 2025 D.J. Jones re-signing. The writing appears on the wall for Franklin-Myers, a solid Denver starter for two seasons.
This is also an ideal time for Franklin-Myers to hit free agency, with a dearth of higher-end inside D-line options available. As a result of this clear runway, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler hears a $20MM-per-year contract may be necessary to win this FA derby. Franklin-Myers is going into an age-30 season and played out a two-year, $15MM deal. The Jets had him on a four-year, $55MM accord but traded it in a salary-dump deal during the 2024 draft. After 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons — as part of two top-three scoring defenses in Denver — the Allen sidekick is poised to be one of this free agency’s biggest winners.
Here is the latest out of Denver:
- In PFR’s Broncos Offseason Outlook piece, I mentioned Ben Powers as a trade candidate. The Wattenberg extension gave Denver five O-line salaries at $12MM or higher, and Powers is going into a contract year and approaching his 30th birthday. The three-year Broncos left guard is carrying a $17.43MM cap number and continues to be linked to a possible trade. Fowler mentions the former Raven as a player who could be on the move soon. The Broncos have former UDFA Alex Palczewski as an internal replacement; the team will likely tender Palczewski (10 2025 starts) as an RFA by the March 11 deadline. If the Broncos trade Powers, they would save $8.38MM in cap space. Denver currently holds $25.23MM — 13th-most.
- Another cost-saving measure the Broncos can take would be an Evan Engram release. Sean Payton‘s would-be “Joker” performer was not a major factor in his first season of a two-year, $23MM contract; Denver can save $6.47MM by designating Engram a post-June 1 cut. Engram, 31, is not a lock to be released, per 9News’ Mike Klis, but Payton wants to add another receiving tight end this offseason. Denver hopes to re-sign starter Adam Trautman, per Klis, but he does not contribute much as a receiver. Engram (461 yards, one TD in 2025) would join Isaiah Likely, Dallas Goedert, Cade Otton, Chig Okonkwo and David Njoku as notable TEs available if cut. One of the outside options could be in play for the Broncos if they do move on. Denver is also unlikely to tender tight end Lucas Krull as an RFA, Klis adds.
- The Broncos allowed Marcedes Lewis to set the record for seasons by a tight end (20), and no pure TE has played past 41 — Lewis’ age last season. The 2006 first-round pick is interested in playing one more season, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson tweets. Lewis, who has interest in coaching as well, played 81 offensive snaps over five games as a Bronco last year.
- Dre Greenlaw looms as a possible cap casualty after missing nine games due to injury in his first Broncos slate. That is not certain, as Denver has regulars Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad unsigned. GM George Paton said (via the Denver Post’s Luca Evans) is interested in keeping both linebackers. A four-year Broncos starter who recovered from testicular cancer, Singleton played out a three-year, $18MM deal. He turned 32 in December. Strnad, 29, was the team’s Greenlaw sub who logged a 55% snap share last season. Strnad, Denver’s Singleton injury sub in 2024, is interested in landing a starting role somewhere after playing out a one-year, $2.87MM contract. Keeping Greenlaw, with Denver also tied to first-round ILBs in mock drafts, likely would mean at least one of the Singleton-Strnad duo exits in free agency.
Broncos To Make WR Addition
Although Courtland Sutton extension talks are underway, the Broncos’ No. 1 wide receiver is heading into a contract year and an age-30 season. The team, which traded Jerry Jeudy for two Day 3 picks last year, has not seen a consistent option emerge beyond its veteran leader — a holdover from John Elway‘s GM tenure. As the draft approaches, many are mocking skill-position players to Denver early.
The Broncos would also could be a player for one of the veterans still on the free agency board. Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen and Tyler Lockett will likely wait until depth charts become clearer after the draft (and the compensatory deadline) passes, but with the Broncos having a few rookie-contract wideouts supplementing Sutton, they profile as a candidate for a rental complementary option. They were in the Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs markets, though it never sounded as though serious talks took place.
[RELATED: Broncos GM Confirms Team Will Draft RB]
Entering the draft, Sean Payton said the Broncos “add numbers to the position” — be it through the draft or free agency. Denver will assuredly include some receivers in its UDFA class, but it would surprise if a notable addition did not take place as well. Broncos fans will soon see how the team feels about the trajectories of Marvin Mims and 2024 draftees Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.
Payton praised Vele and Franklin’s progress, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson; a veteran addition or an early-round pick would stand to threaten the roles of those second-year players, as the team has Mims ticketed for a regular role after the two-time All-Pro returner showed considerable promise as a receiver late last season.
Nevertheless, the Broncos have met with Texas’ Matthew Golden and Missouri’s Luther Burden. They also are committed to adding to their running back group. The team’s confidence in its young WR cadre may well send a running back to Denver earlier. The team has met with Omarion Hampton — PFR’s Broncos selection at No. 20 — along with Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson and both Ohio State RB products (Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson).
Payton’s past with the Saints also featured a bevy of RB investments compared to top-heavy WR depth charts. The Saints drafted Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram in the first round and later paid Ingram and extended Alvin Kamara. Notable WR payments did take place (Marques Colston, Michael Thomas) under Payton, and the team did use a first-round pick on Brandin Cooks, but beyond the one-season Thomas-Cooks overlap, Payton’s teams did not overinvest at receiver.
Will the Broncos pass on an early-round Sutton sidekick next week? One move that would be a Payton first: trading down. Payton has never traded down in Round 1 (h/t the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel). Despite the rumblings about a running back or receiver addition early, a rumor about the Broncos devoting more resources on defense — even after the Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga signings — emerged as well, as smokescreen season runs wild.
The Broncos also lessened their tight end need by outmaneuvering the Chargers for Evan Engram. The former first-rounder’s agent said (via Gabriel) the recent Jaguars cap casualty viewed Bo Nix as a key driver for his signing, even as he considered other teams — the Bolts among them — with solid QB situations. Nix’s rookie contract runs through 2027, and his extension window does not open until after Engram’s contract expires.
Engram’s two-year, $23MM deal includes $16.5MM guaranteed at signing, likely tying the Broncos to their new TE1 for his age-31 and age-32 seasons. While the team could add at tight end as well in this draft, Engram’s presence would allow for patience.
Broncos, Seahawks Pursued TE Juwan Johnson; Latest On Evan Engram’s Free Agency Call
In what may be the least surprising free agency what-if in this year’s cycle, the Broncos were one of the teams in on Juwan Johnson. The veteran tight end confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) a Sean Payton reunion was on the table.
The Broncos already employ two former Saints tight ends, in Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, and their roster and coaching staff includes other ex-Saints. Denver, though, looked to serve as the lead driver of a market that ended with a three-year, $30.75MM deal for one of Payton’s more successful UDFAs.
New Orleans carved out enough cap room, primarily using Derek Carr‘s contract as a tool, to re-sign Johnson and Chase Young and add Justin Reid. Johnson will stay with the team with which he has spent his entire career, remaining paired up with Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill. Johnson, 28, will be the lead target among this trio thanks to this contract.
The Seahawks also pursued Johnson, which represents a less predictable push due to the team having re-signed Noah Fant during last year’s legal tampering period. Fant is on a two-year, $21.5MM deal, but Johnson carries a season of experience with Klint Kubiak, who did not overlap with Fant in Denver. The former first-round pick does not have any guaranteed salary on the books for 2026, though he is a year younger than Johnson.
Prior to agreeing to return in a new Saints offense, Johnson said (via NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill) he met with new HC Kellen Moore. Johnson called the new Saints HC the night before he signed to go over his vision for himself in the offense. Evidently, this conversation went well, as Johnson will be a key piece of Moore’s first Saints operation.
Although we included Johnson as the only tight end in the PFR Top 50, the list emerged before the Jaguars cut Evan Engram. A more accomplished player, Engram also looks to have benefited from where the Saints went for Johnson. A day after the Johnson pact, the Broncos gave Engram a two-year, $23MM accord. That narrowly topped Johnson’s AAV number, as Engram has two Pro Bowls on a resume that includes five 575-plus-yard seasons (to Johnson’s zero).
Engram, though, is two years older than Johnson. The 30-year-old TE also received an offer from the Chargers, 9News’ Mike Klis adds, noting the Bolts’ proposal checked in around where the Broncos’ offer came in. Engram visited both teams, meeting with the Broncos before Johnson recommitted to the Saints. The Broncos may have passed on beating the Saints’ offer to reunite Payton and Johnson, but they received news of Engram’s commitment barely a day later. This stands to help a team that saw Trautman’s 188 yards lead its TE contingent last season.
Of Engram’s $16MM guarantee at signing, $5MM comes as part of his 2026 base salary ($10.99MM), KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. Though he gave the Saints a three-year commitment, Johnson did better at signing; New Orleans gave its TE find $21.25MM fully guaranteed.
Although they have signed half of last year’s AFC West starting centers (Bradley Bozeman, Andre James), the Chargers have thus far stood down at tight end. Their offer to Engram, of course, shows an interest in upgrading. Hayden Hurst hit free agency last week, while the team lost Stone Smartt to the Jets. Will Dissly, last season’s Bolts TE yardage leader, remains under contract.
Broncos To Sign TE Evan Engram
The AFC West duel that formed for Evan Engram has broken the Broncos’ way. After meeting with the Broncos and Chargers, Engram is heading to Denver.
The two-time Pro Bowl tight end is committing to the Broncos on a two-year deal, according to his agency (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). It is unclear if the Bolts submitted an offer, but they scheduled a visit with the eight-year veteran. Engram will join a Broncos team that featured a greater need for a receiving tight end.
Engram’s deal comes after another former Payton-era Saint, Juwan Johnson, signed a three-year, $30.75MM deal to stay in New Orleans. It would stand to reason the Broncos pursued Johnson, who is going into his age-29 season. They will land a player who has proven more as a receiver, but one going into an age-31 season. The Broncos are giving Engram $23MM over two seasons, with NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reporting $16.5MM will be fully guaranteed. This is a nice haul for a player the Jaguars cut last week.
Fetching more than Johnson and Mike Gesicki on a per-year basis, Engram also has done well for guarantees. This certainly points to the Broncos fending off competition for a player who has two Pro Bowls on his resume. The Jags bailed on Engram’s three-year, $41.25MM extension with one year left, and the Broncos will hope the former first-round pick can address a yearslong issue.
Including Noah Fant in their 2022 Russell Wilson trade, the Broncos have not come especially close to replacing the middling TE’s production. Injuries significantly limited Greg Dulcich in Denver, and the former third-round pick did not prove a fit in Sean Payton’s offense. While the Broncos re-signed ex-Saints draftee Adam Trautman last year, he posted just 188 receiving yards; that led Denver tight ends in 2024. The Chargers may have possessed a need as well, but 2024 addition Will Dissly nearly reached 500 yards last season.
Not profiling as a prolific red zone threat (25 touchdowns in eight seasons), Engram still helped the Jaguars during most of his stay. Given a one-year deal in 2021, Engram broke Jacksonville’s single-season TE receiving yardage record — with 766. That led to a franchise tag and an extension, as Engram added seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Jags’ wild-card comeback win over the Bolts that year. Engram’s 963-yard season in 2023 came on 114 catches — second-most in Jaguars history. A hamstring issue and a labrum tear slowed Engram in 2024, limiting him to nine games.
Surpassing 650 yards twice as a Giant, Engram was inconsistent during Eli Manning‘s final seasons and Daniel Jones‘ early years. A more refined version of the playmaker should have a chance to make noise in Denver, which did not boast much receiving consistency outside of Courtland Sutton last season. Engram will join Sutton and younger receivers for Payton, who appeared to have placed the Broncos’ TE and RB needs over perceived desire to add a starter-level WR.
Chargers To Meet With TE Evan Engram
Both the Broncos and Chargers carried similar issues into the playoffs, as both teams made surprise postseason voyages with top-heavy skill-position groups. Where the Broncos relied on Courtland Sutton, the Chargers depended on Ladd McConkey.
Neither team carries much at tight end, but they may be vying for Evan Engram. Following his Jaguars release, Engram visited the Broncos but left without a deal. The Chargers are throwing their hat in this ring, as NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicates they have booked an Engram visit.
Hayden Hurst played out a one-year deal with the Bolts, who enjoyed better production from their tight end spot than the Broncos. No Bronco TE surpassed 200 yards last season, while Will Dissly took over as the Bolts’ leading pass catcher at the position. The ex-Seahawk posted a 481-yard season and remains under contract. Stone Smartt (208 yards) has not yet been tendered as an RFA.
The Jags moved on from Engram despite the ex-Giants draftee breaking and then re-breaking a franchise record for single-season tight end yardage. After a 766-yard 2023 that featured Engram scoring a touchdown in the Jaguars’ wild-card shootout/collapse against the Chargers, he posted 963 yards in 2024. Engram caught 114 passes in 2023, after signing a three-year extension; only Jimmy Smith‘s 1999 featured more catches (116) by a Jaguar.
Previously tied to a three-year, $41.25MM deal, Engram joined Christian Kirk as prominent Trevor Lawrence weapons shipped out this month. Engram has two Pro Bowls (2017, 2020) on his resume and is going into an age-31 season. Juwan Johnson just scored a Saints deal worth just more than $10MM per season. Although he is going into an age-29 campaign, Engram has outperformed Johnson. He will probably be eyeing a comparable contract, as this is not a strong tight end market.
Broncos To Meet With TE Evan Engram
Bo Nix‘s breakthrough rookie season came without much help at the tight end position. As the Broncos would seem to need help at all three skill-position spots, Sean Payton has emphasized tight end and running back over wide receiver.
A Denver free agency visit underscores that, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Evan Engram is meeting with the Broncos today. The Jaguars made a few moves stripping down their skill group last week, and Engram was moved off the roster. He may well have shot up the TE free agent rankings, and the Broncos will see about a fit ahead of the former first-rounder’s age-31 season.
The Jags moved on from Engram despite the ex-Giants draftee breaking and then re-breaking a franchise record for single-season tight end yardage. After a 766-yard 2023 that featured Engram scoring a touchdown in the Jaguars’ wild-card shootout/collapse against the Chargers, he posted 963 yards in 2024. Engram caught 114 passes in 2023, after signing a three-year extension; only Jimmy Smith‘s 1999 featured more catches (116) by a Jaguar.
Engram’s 2022 slate prompted the Jags to franchise tag him, letting their other tag candidate (Jawaan Taylor) walk. That proved to be a wise decision, but the Jags fired both Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke this offseason. Liam Coen and James Gladstone are retooling, having traded Christian Kirk and cut Josh Reynolds and Devin Duvernay. As the Jags regroup around Brian Thomas Jr., the Broncos are in dire need of receiving help at tight end.
Denver included Noah Fant in the Russell Wilson blockbuster and has been unable to approach the middling first-rounder’s production since. Adam Trautman has been among the brigade of ex-Saints players and coaches to trek to Denver to rejoin Payton, but he has offered little receiving-wise. The Broncos have seen their starting TE go for 204 and 188 yards, respectively, over the past two seasons. This makes even Engram’s nine-game 2024 (365 yards) appear flashy.
While Engram could help the Broncos immediately, it would stand to reason they will explore a draft addition — in a strong TE class — after largely sitting out the market last year. Nix still threw 29 touchdown passes — second-most by a rookie in NFL history — but the Broncos are early in a mission to further help out their new centerpiece player. It would be interesting to see the Broncos add Engram when ex-Saints TE Juwan Johnson is on the market, but the sides are exploring a move that would stand to prevent a Johnson-Payton reunion.
Jaguars Release TE Evan Engram, WR Devin Duvernay
MARCH 7: The Jags have announced the Engram and Reynolds releases. This will mean Engram cannot be designated a post-June 1 cut. While the eight-year veteran is free to sign with any team now, the Jags will take on more dead money as a result of making him a standard release.
MARCH 6: A Jacksonville skill-position purge will continue with two more veterans. Following the team’s intra-division Christian Kirk trade, Evan Engram and Devin Duvernay are also out.
The Jags are releasing the veteran tight end and All-Pro return man, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero respectively report. One season remained on Engram’s extension, which was signed after the Jags franchise-tagged him in 2023.
Count Josh Reynolds among the skill-player cap casualties as well, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. The Jags had claimed Reynolds off waivers from the Broncos late last season. This release will save the Jags $4.26MM, as they had taken Reynolds’ two-year, $9MM contract from the Broncos.
If the Jaguars are moving on from Engram via a standard release, they would take on $13.5MM in dead money. If they wait to officially cut the former first-rounder on March 12 and give him a post-June 1 release designation, the team would be tagged with just $4MM in 2025 dead cap and would save $15.5MM in cap room. Engram, 30, was due to count $19.49MM on Jacksonville’s 2025 cap — the second-highest total on the team’s payroll.
The Duvernay release will save the Jags $2.7MM this year. Jacksonville added Duvernay last March, doing so as it signed Gabe Davis as well. Davis did not live up to his $13MM-per-year contract in his first season, but he is the only veteran skill player left standing after this week’s moves. While the team is prepared to build around Brian Thomas Jr., it will need to fill out some spots alongside the blossoming first-rounder.
Given the tag over Jawaan Taylor in 2023, Engram signed a three-year, $41.25MM extension. That deal called for a $14.75MM 2025 base salary. Three void years tacked onto the end of it will bring the dead money, which would stretch to 2026 if the Jags make Engram a post-June cut. This could certainly make Engram the top tight end on the market, one that includes the likes of Mike Gesicki, Juwan Johnson and Tyler Conklin.
A 2017 Giants first-round pick, Engram has a Pro Bowl (2020) on his resume but became more consistent with the Jags. He twice set the franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end, accumulating 766 in 2022 and then 963 in ’23. Engram was not a strong red zone option for Trevor Lawrence, but the now-well-paid QB peppered him with targets. Engram caught 114 passes in 2023; only Jimmy Smith‘s 1999 featured more receptions (116) by a Jaguar.
Even as Engram scored only nine touchdowns in three seasons and is heading into his age-31 season, he should be in line for a starting job elsewhere soon. The Jags have given him a few days to beat the market. This release does come after Engram closed last season on IR with a labrum tear; he totaled 365 receiving yards in nine games.
Duvernay, 27, arrived during an offseason that saw the departures of Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones. The Jags had attempted to re-sign Ridley, being outbid by the Titans, before releasing Jones. In 2023, the team had deployed four veteran skill-player contracts around Lawrence’s rookie deal. They are now down to one (Davis’), and the ex-Bills WR2 totaled just 239 receiving yards last season.
Known more for his return-game skills than at receiver, Duvernay caught 11 passes for 79 yards in 2024. The two-time Ravens Pro Bowler served as the Jags’ kickoff and punt returner, leaving more jobs open amid this transition. Reynolds, 29, caught just one pass in four games as a Jaguar. He does have two 600-plus-yard seasons on his resume — including the 2023 season in Detroit — but has now been cut twice since December.
Kirk and Engram both had signed with the Jags in 2022, with each helping Lawrence after a woeful rookie season. Kirk is Houston-bound, while Engram — who has five seasons of at least 575 yards on his resume — should find a new home soon. The Jags have moved past $40MM in cap space with these moves and will be on the lookout for new Thomas supporting-casters soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/24
Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: P Michael Palardy
- Placed on IR: RB Emari Demercado, P Blake Gillikin
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: DT Michael Pierce
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, LB William Kwenkeu
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, QB Mike White
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: RB Mike Boone, LB Jacoby Windmon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: QB Logan Woodside
- Elevated: T Andrew Coker, K Cade York
- Placed on IR: LB Joe Bachie
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Andrew Booth, T Dakoda Shepley
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo, CB Reese Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: S Jamal Adams, LB Abraham Beauplan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: DE DJ Coleman
- Placed on IR: TE Evan Engram (story)
Houston Texans
- Elevated: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Anthony Firkser
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Laviska Shenault, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Reagor
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: WR Grant DuBose
- Signed to active roster: DT Matt Dickerson
- Elevated: T Ryan Hayes, LS Zach Triner
- Waived: QB Skylar Thompson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Jack Westover
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Placed on IR: G Jon Runyan (story)
- Elevated: DB Raheem Layne
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Elevated: TE Zack Kuntz, WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: DT Montravius Adams
- Placed on IR: T Calvin Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Artie Burns
- Elevated: QB Jaren Hall, RB George Holani
- Placed on IR: S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, S Ryan Neal
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis
Demercado has taken a backseat to Florida State third-round rookie Trey Benson, but he has averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 24 carries this year. Palardy will take over punting duties with Gillikin landing on injured reserve.
Jackson signed with Bills in late July, and although he was among the team’s final roster cuts he was immediately retained via a practice squad deal. This elevation means Week 15 will mark his first time spent on the active roster this season. The 36-year-old has started all but 10 of his 203 NFL games, but last season was marred by suspensions which led to his Broncos release. Jackson could suit up for Buffalo down the stretch as a gameday elevation in a bid to rebuild his stock to a degree.
With the playoffs nearly out of reach and quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with a few ailments (wrist and knee), the Bengals don’t seem to be taking any chances. Jake Browning will continue serving as the primary backup, while Woodside’s promotion will allow him to act as the emergency backup.
Adams has seen his biggest NFL roles during his time in Pittsburgh. Though he hasn’t gotten the same number of starts as he had in 2022 and 2023, he’s continued the same level of production. After missing the last four games, he’ll be looking to return to the field as early as tomorrow.
Jaguars TE Evan Engram To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
The Jaguars will be shorthanded at the tight end spot to finish the campaign. Evan Engram is dealing with a torn labrum, and head coach Doug Pederson announced on Friday he will require season-ending surgery as a result.
Engram missed time early in the season due to a hamstring injury, but since returning he has operated as a key figure in Jacksonville’s passing attack. The 30-year-old has received seven or more targets five times in his nine games played in 2024, and his absence will be felt down the stretch. The Jags are already without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence and No. 1 receiver Christian Kirk.
Jacksonville sits at 3-10 on the year, and a postseason berth is not possible as a result. Given where the team stands, the blow of losing Engram for the final four games of the campaign will not be as notable as if a playoff push was taking place. ESPN’s Michael DiRocco notes the severity of Engram’s injury was discovered this week when additional testing took place. His attention will now turn to recovery.
One year remains on Engram’s contract, and he is owed a $14.75MM base salary for 2025. $1.5MM of that total is set to vest early in the new league year, so a decision will need to be made on the team’s part before that point regarding any potential restructure or an extension. Engram has proven to be a valuable acquisition since his arrival in Duval County in 2022, highlighted by his career-best outing last season. The former Giant posted new personal highs in receptions (114) and yards (963), earning his second career Pro Bowl nod as a result. Expectations will remain high for him provided he remains with the Jags for next year.
In the meantime, Jacksonville’s Mac Jones-led offense will move forward with Brenton Strange, Josiah Deguara and Luke Farrell at the tight end spot. The team has matchups against the Jets, Raiders, Titans and Colts to close out the campaign, one which could see changes made on the sidelines and/or in the front office depending in part on how the final stage of the season play out.