{"id":169640,"date":"2025-06-30T05:56:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T05:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/169640\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T05:56:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T05:56:15","slug":"how-transformative-can-evan-engram-be-for-the-broncos-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/169640\/","title":{"rendered":"How transformative can Evan Engram be for the Broncos’ offense?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Evan Engram \u2014 or any tight end with pass-catching bona fides \u2014 was a must-have for the Broncos this offseason.<\/p>\n

They couldn\u2019t go through another season with a position group that was among the league\u2019s worst in terms of pass-catching production. Not if Sean Payton\u2019s offense was to have a chance at producing at optimal efficiency.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cjoker\u201d \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

That is an element the offense has lacked over the last two years.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t for a lack of looking, but other needs had to take priority, and resources were limited. In 2023, the Broncos\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Given that the unit has become the league\u2019s most effective in run-block win rate and pass-block win rate<\/a>, that seems to be a wise call. The immediate investments in Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers helped stabilize the unit.<\/p>\n

Thus, when the focus turned to quarterback in 2024 \u2014 with the first-round pick used on Bo Nix \u2014 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\u2019s Drake Maye, who spent much of last year running for his life behind a unit that ranked No. 31 in pass-block win rate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But \u201cjoker\u201d had to wait.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> and Dulcich never got past the parade of injuries<\/a> that continued knocking him off-course.<\/p>\n

Now, in Engram, they believe they\u2019ve found a player who can help complete the \u201cinterior triangle\u201d of the passing game, along with a running back and a third receiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vision was pretty clear,\u201d Payton said in March. \u201cObviously, he\u2019s someone that we feel like can run and give us a passing threat on third down and [in the] red zone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Engram is embracing the notion \u2014 from the moment he shared a GIF of the Joker<\/a> from the Batman franchise on social media in March.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a cool thing just to embrace,\u201d Engram said. \u201cYou know, Sean talks about it a lot. It was a big part of the pitch coming here.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 So, it\u2019s definitely something that I like to embrace, but something I\u2019m gonna go earn, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

BEYOND EVAN ENGRAM: THE RETURNING TIGHT ENDS<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Trautman should continue to get extensive use as the \u201cY\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s addition was necessary.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Caleb Lohner.<\/p>\n

But Lohner is one of the most intriguing prospects to arrive in Denver in ages.<\/p>\n

CAN CALEB LOHNER BE A LONG-TERM ANSWER?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

There were flashes from Lohner during minicamp, and he made the final reception of the Broncos\u2019 offseason \u2014 a downfield catch that elicited \u201coooohs\u201d from his teammates.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s coming around. He\u2019s doing well,\u201d 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\u2019s further along with. He\u2019s doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Engram\u2019s recent injury history \u2014 he missed eight games last year \u2014 meant that the Broncos were still a candidate to take a tight end early in this year\u2019s draft. Thus, it was a bit of a surprise that they didn\u2019t take one until Round 7.<\/p>\n

If Lohner develops long-term, no problem \u2014 assuming Engram stays healthy. But for the moment, all the pass-catching eggs are in Engram\u2019s basket, because they\u2019ll have to play the long game with Lohner.<\/p>\n

\"YouTube<\/p>\n

\t
\n<\/a><\/p>\n