Evan Engram — or any tight end with pass-catching bona fides — was a must-have for the Broncos this offseason.
They couldn’t go through another season with a position group that was among the league’s worst in terms of pass-catching production. Not if Sean Payton’s offense was to have a chance at producing at optimal efficiency.
For his scheme to work, it requires an effective interior target from the tight-end position. Ideally, the player can serve as what Payton calls a “joker” — one who has some versatility to align in space away from the offensive line, create mismatches and serve as a quick-opening outlet for the quarterback to help keep the offense on schedule.
That is an element the offense has lacked over the last two years.
It wasn’t for a lack of looking, but other needs had to take priority, and resources were limited. In 2023, the Broncos’ draft capital was depleted by the trades for Russell Wilson and Payton himself. They had cap space in free agency, but the first priority was toward the offensive line.
Given that the unit has become the league’s most effective in run-block win rate and pass-block win rate, that seems to be a wise call. The immediate investments in Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers helped stabilize the unit.
Thus, when the focus turned to quarterback in 2024 — with the first-round pick used on Bo Nix — he had the chance to operate efficiently, something many young passers lack. Compare the pocket Nix had last year with the helter-skelter situation faced by New England’s Drake Maye, who spent much of last year running for his life behind a unit that ranked No. 31 in pass-block win rate.
But “joker” had to wait.
Internal options were tried from the tight end position. They gave looks to Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich in 2023. But Okwuegbunam was traded before the regular season and Dulcich never got past the parade of injuries that continued knocking him off-course.
Now, in Engram, they believe they’ve found a player who can help complete the “interior triangle” of the passing game, along with a running back and a third receiver.
“The vision was pretty clear,” Payton said in March. “Obviously, he’s someone that we feel like can run and give us a passing threat on third down and [in the] red zone.
“I think he has good body control, and I think he is really good when he gets the ball into his hands. His run-after-the-catch numbers, statistical-wise, have been good.”
And Engram is embracing the notion — from the moment he shared a GIF of the Joker from the Batman franchise on social media in March.
“That’s a cool thing just to embrace,” Engram said. “You know, Sean talks about it a lot. It was a big part of the pitch coming here.
“… So, it’s definitely something that I like to embrace, but something I’m gonna go earn, too.”
BEYOND EVAN ENGRAM: THE RETURNING TIGHT ENDS
First, there are the returning tight ends. Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins are poised to handle roles that involve more blocking than Engram will see.
Adkins, a third-year veteran, brings versatility with the ability to align as a fullback, and he showed some adaptability catching passes in space last year. He appears to be on track to become one of those versatile roster pieces Payton likes.
Trautman should continue to get extensive use as the “Y” tight end aligned next to the tackle. His one-handed catch last year against Carolina showed his pass-catching capability when asked; his average of 14.5 yards per reception was a career high.
The returning tight end who could feel the squeeze is Lucas Krull, given that he needed to emerge as a pass-catching threat in order to find his footing. Krull led Denver tight ends in receptions last year, but with a modest tally of 19 catches, which is part of why Engram’s addition was necessary.
Two rookies round out the group. Undrafted rookie Caden Prieskorn turns 26 in September; heading into this year he seemed to be a more likely prospect to be drafted than the tight end the Broncos actually selected in the seventh round, Utah’s Caleb Lohner.
But Lohner is one of the most intriguing prospects to arrive in Denver in ages.
CAN CALEB LOHNER BE A LONG-TERM ANSWER?
It will probably take a long time to answer that question, given that Lohner may not be ready for any meaningful on-field contribution until 2026.
A basketball player through his college career, he only took up football in 2024 and was limited to just 57 snaps at Utah last season. All four of his receptions went for touchdowns, and the post-up ability evident in basketball could well translate in the red zone.
There were flashes from Lohner during minicamp, and he made the final reception of the Broncos’ offseason — a downfield catch that elicited “oooohs” from his teammates.
“He’s coming around. He’s doing well,” Payton said earlier this month. There are some things that are new to him, and then there are some things that he gravitates to that I think he’s further along with. He’s doing well.”
Engram’s recent injury history — he missed eight games last year — meant that the Broncos were still a candidate to take a tight end early in this year’s draft. Thus, it was a bit of a surprise that they didn’t take one until Round 7.
If Lohner develops long-term, no problem — assuming Engram stays healthy. But for the moment, all the pass-catching eggs are in Engram’s basket, because they’ll have to play the long game with Lohner.
