Denver Broncos Invest Heavily In Rookies At Tight End Position To Boost Super Bowl Game
The Denver Broncos are counting on rookie tight ends Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley to fix their biggest offensive weakness as Sean Payton strives for a Super Bowl berth in 2026.
- Coach Sean Payton believes that the two rookie tight ends on the Denver Broncos can solve the offense’s primary problem.
- Justin Joly’s ability to do multiple things is generating buzz in the Denver Broncos minicamp.
- Caleb Lohner’s physical metamorphosis may turn out to be an offensive secret weapo
Entering the offseason, the Denver Broncos understood that one aspect could prevent them from contending for a championship. The team struggled with the production from its tight ends during the previous season.
With the unit ranking near the bottom of the league in receiving yards and touchdowns, the Broncos will now look to address the problem with young talent. Head coach Sean Payton sees the solution in-house after drafting rookies like Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley, as well as continuing to develop Caleb Lohner.
Rookie Tight Ends Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley Might Be Denver Broncos' Missing Pieces For Offensive Boost In 2026
Tight ends had a difficult year for the Denver Broncos during the 2025 season. The group managed to score only three touchdowns, while no individual averaged more than 10 yards per reception. With a league increasingly relying on two tight ends, the Broncos found themselves behind other top teams.
Dallen Bentley, selected in the seventh round, offers a more physically inclined in-line approach. He achieved most of his college stats in his senior year at Utah and has been praised for his mental approach to blocking. Payton apparently believes the duo can play complementary roles, thereby helping the team diversify its offensive strategy.
Tight end Evan Engram even admitted that the group underperformed last season despite his personal statistics. Engram contributed the lion's share of the room's output in 2025, recording 50 catches for 461 receiving yards.
Caleb Lohner's Athletic Leap Gives Sean Payton Another Dangerous Offensive Weapon
One of the most shocking moments during the rookie minicamp belonged to Caleb Lohner, a basketball player turned NFL prospect who played with Denver's practice squad last year. With an impressive physique measuring 6'7″ and weighing 250 pounds, Lohner caught the eye of Payton due to his drastic change in physique and improved mobility.
A product of the college basketball programs at Baylor, BYU, and Utah, Lohner is a very rough prospect when it comes to football. But judging by his athletic ability, Joly believes he has the potential to become a red-zone nightmare for opponents.