It was in 2023, of Sean Payton’s 1st year. They had a TE room that consisted of Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Chris Manhertz, Lucas Krull and Nate Adkins. That position was an eyesore considering that they couldn’t get much out of the tight end position (if at all, something from their TEs). They were ranked near the bottom in terms of TE stats (yards, receptions, TDs), and if their “main” TE produced 204 yards that season, that’s a problem in all facets…because a lot of people would have clowned the Broncos for having one of the worst TE rooms they have seen in the modern day.
In 2024, they returned with the same TE room minus Manhertz. They had Donald Parham for a time on their PS and they never considered promoting him to the active roster. It was the same ol’ story with the Broncos because much like last season, the TE position was severely underutilized. In fact…they finished last in total yards combined from their TEs. It seemed as if Bo Nix had zero trust with his TEs…and one would have hoped that in 2025’s draft, they would have given him that someone who could help fix their TE woes (especially when you factor that it was the deepest in terms of talent at the time). Instead, the Pa(y)tons punted on that draft and got a guy who could be far away from being able to seeing the field, if at all (Caleb Lohner).
Fast-forward to 2025, Denver brought in Evan Engram in FA. That signing was a total dud considering that the Broncos didn’t get much out of him. It wasn’t the worst FA signing that George Paton brought in…but it’s definitely up there.
Here’s why. Evan was in his early 30s and coming off of a 2024 season in which he dealt with a hamstring injury and a season-ending torn labrum that cost him half his season. Denver’s TE production improved that season, but it wasn’t exactly a major leap considering that they only got 461 yards and a TD off of Engram. No bueno. EE is entering 2026 in what is a contract year, and with the Broncos returning the same TE room as last season, this was one where a lot of people had to question whether or not they should take the Pa(y)tons seriously in that regard. Signing Trautman to a 3-year deal maybe was a bit suspect, but Krull and Adkins, more questionable. Lucas missed nearly the entire season with an injury that required surgery, and Nate missed half the season with knee problems. At that point, those two feel like they are on a short leash (but mostly Lucas because they gave him so many chances to hope he could have taken advantage of his opportunities when given the chance he had), and one wondered if the FO was gonna finally address the TE position after not taking full advantage of the depth of talent in 2025’s draft.
Sure enough, it seems that they listened to what some clamored on them to do, and they got not one, but TWO tight ends in the 2026 draft. Justin Joly (in the 4th), and Dallen Bentley (in the 7th). Were they the ‘sexiest’ picks they kind of went for? Yes and no. On one hand, a bunch on MHR wanted to see Bentley in a Broncos uniform (considering that Dallen would be the 3rd straight Ute TE to come over to Denver), but Joly wasn’t exactly a name some would have wanted. It seems a portion of those on here wanted them to grab one of the multi-role TEs (Sam Roush, Oscar Delp, Jack Endries, Dae’Quan Wright) instead of Justin. But finally…everybody on MHR can forget about that position being a need for the next few years with the addition of those two to the TE room.
It was intriguing to see that Sean Payton chose to not find that somebody who could be the next “Jimmy Graham” considering both Bentley and Joly are 6’4″ and instead, this feels as if they are maybe hoping one of them can turn into the next reincarnation of Shannon Sharpe, which, may be a bit of a high standard, but…at this point, that’s what may be the outlook to what could be seen out of DB and JJ in terms of potential. Lucas Krull and Nate Adkins should definitely be put on notice if those two end up balling out in training camp and do end up on the final roster before the 2026 season starts.
How would you guys look at the TE position from a developmental perspective with Bo Nix and what adding Joly and Bentley did to change their future?