The Denver Broncos used their final pick (241st overall) in the 2025 NFL draft to select University of Utah tight end Caleb Lohner last Saturday.
Lohner (6-7, 256 pounds) became a two-sport athlete at Utah in 2025, when he played basketball and football for the Utes. In college, Lohner played at three Big 12 schools for basketball: the BYU Cougars, Baylor Bears and Utah. Lohner came mostly off the bench in basketball, but played his only year of football in 2024.
In 2024, Lohner only caught four passes for 56 yards… and four touchdowns. You read that right, all four of Lohner’s catches went for touchdowns. Perhaps the Broncos were impressed by his size. Coach Sean Payton believes he may become a new receiving threat for quarterback Bo Nix.
Although Denver’s recent draft history at tight end has not gone according to plan (Greg Dulcich in the 2022 NFL draft following Albert Okwuegbunam in the 2020 NFL draft), the team is hoping it can develop Lohner into an NFL-caliber tight end. As a seventh-round pick, he’s a low-risk, high-upside prospect.
There is a precedent for tight ends who previously played basketball, including 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Antonio Gates. Hopefully the Broncos will see some great play out of the former basketball player.
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