The Broncos figure to try and add another tight end threat this offseason.

DENVER — Even after signing free-agent Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million contract last year, the Broncos were hoping to land another tight end within the first two rounds of the draft.

They hoped against hope Michigan’s Colston Loveland would fall close to their No. 20 overall selection in the first round. He didn’t, getting snatched at No. 10 by the Chicago Bears for whom he had an impressive rookie season (70 catches, 906 yards, 6 TDs, counting his two playoff games).

The Broncos also had interest in the tight end likes of Terrance Ferguson, Mason Taylor and Elijah Arroyo with their No. 51 overall selection in the second round.

All three came off the board within picks 42 through 50 and the Broncos traded back from 51 to 57 and then again to No. 60 where they took running back RJ Harvey.

A year later, here the Broncos are again. Engram was OK in 2025 with 50 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown but more was expected after head coach and play caller Sean Payton talked up the “Joker” position throughout the offseason.

Given Engram has $5 million guaranteed on his 2026 scheduled payout of $11.5 million along with a $10.33 million dead cap, it would make sense for the Broncos to keep him and hope new offensive coordinator Davis Webb can make better use of him than Payton did.

There is widespread belief Webb will replace Payton as the Broncos’ play caller this year, although this has not been publicly confirmed by the head coach himself. Payton will no doubt address Webb’s role in game planning and play calling during his NFL Combine news conference next week.

But even if Engram does return and even if Webb is the new play caller and co-game planner, the Broncos figure to add another tight end threat for quarterback Bo Nix, preferably one who is a little stronger in the run game.

A look at the Broncos’ tight end position as their offseason unofficially begins next week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis:

Free agent: Adam Trautman, Marcedes Lewis

Restricted free agent: Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins

Under team control: Evan Engram, Caleb Lohner

Top tight end free agents: Dallas Goedert, Eagles; Cade Otton, Bucs; Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans; Travis Kelce, Chiefs; Taysom Hill, Saints

Top tight ends in draft: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon; Joe Royer, Cincinnati; Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt; Max Klare, Ohio State; Jack Endries, Texas; Marlin Klein, Michigan

Summary: Wouldn’t be surprised if Payton gives Webb a chance to better utilize Engram’s talent. If so, I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Broncos draft a tight end behind Engram.

Taking Sadiq with the Broncos’ No. 30 overall pick would be a mockster’s dream, although don’t go too far with the Bo Nix connection. Sadiq only caught 5 passes for 24 yards from Nix as a freshman in 2023 while playing behind Terrance Ferguson at Oregon.

Given Payton’s affinity for Adkins, I would think the Broncos would slap the strong-blocking, athletic tight end with at least the low, right-of-first-refusal restricted free agent tender for about $3.55 million. To be safe, the second-round tender is for $5.8 million.

Trautman has been the Broncos’ No. 1 tight end all three years in the Payton regime. He almost signed with another team in 2024 before Payton stepped in at the last minute and brought him back on a two-year, $7.5 million deal that is now expired.