The Denver Broncos‘ two biggest needs on offense following the 2024 season were tight end and running back. Both positions were addressed this offseason.

Denver double-dipped at running back, selecting RJ Harvey in the NFL draft before later signing J.K. Dobbins as a free agent. The Broncos also added a tight end during free agency, bringing in veteran Evan Engram.

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Engram figures to emerge as a new favorite target for second-year quarterback Bo Nix. When players reported for organized team activities in May, Nix was asked about the process of building chemistry with his new tight end.

“It starts by getting to know him,” Nix said. “See what makes him tick, what makes him go and what his passions are. It’s very clear from the beginning that he’s all about football and he’s all about taking care of himself. He’s been here since he was signed, getting ready and preparing. That’s been fun to see. So, I’ve gotten to be around him a lot. Then we just started working on the field.

“Early on in OTAs, you get to come out here and throw routes and just see what he’s like. See what kind of routes he runs and see what he’s thinking. We talk a lot. He’s always asking me about certain things. When you get him out to practice, it’s just seeing how he reacts. I’m excited to include him and add him to what we already have. I think it’ll be good for us.”

Engram will serve as a “Joker” in coach Sean Payton’s offense, and he will undoubtedly prove to be a reliable target for Nix this fall.

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“I think it helps a lot depending on the coverages you’re getting,” Payton said of a TE like Engram giving Nix an option in the middle of the field. “Your third-down and your red-zone game plans, I think it really helps.”

Engram, 30, was hindered by injuries with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. In the nine games he did play, Engram hauled in 47 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown. Denver will hope the veteran TE can now return to his pre-injury form. Two years ago, Engram had 114 catches for 963 yards and four touchdowns with the Jags. The Broncos haven’t had that kind of production at tight end since the Peyton Manning era. That could change in 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Broncos QB Bo Nix excited about big-name free agent addition