The Denver Broncos waited until Day 2 of the 2026 draft before their first pick, and had difficulty landing desired targets later on. Two rumored targets, Eli Stowers and Nate Boerkircher, landed with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.
Denver still addressed the position, albeit with mid and late-round picks Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley.
They are also running back what was an underwhelming group led by Evan Engram.
Broncos’ TE Plans Fell Through During Draft
GettyThe Denver Broncos had interest in Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, now of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Engram and the rest of the Broncos’ tight ends combined for 78 receptions, 719 yards, and 3 touchdowns during the 2025 regular season, with the two-time Pro Bowler posting a 50-461-1 line on his own.
The Broncos were linked to various tight ends in free agency and the trade market this offseason, and the trend continued ahead of the draft.
However, Denver found itself just out of position, potentially more than once.
“Denver explored taking a tight end somewhat early, but the board didn’t fall that way. The Broncos would have considered Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers if he made it to No. 62 (he went eight picks earlier),” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on April 30.
“Fifth-rounder Justin Joly out of N.C. State can be a pass-catching weapon. The Broncos really like his tape from 2024, when he played at a lighter weight.”
Fowler’s note on Joly is encouraging, but the Broncos may have missed on another target.
“Realistically, [Nate] Boerkircher entered the draft thinking he would go late in Day 2, early in Day 3 (so, let’s say in the third or fourth rounds),” Fowler wrote. “He was notified in the process that multiple teams listed him as their top blocking tight end. Boerkircher believed Denver was high on him and considered him a viable option early in the fourth round. Either way, Boerkircher had no idea he was on Jacksonville’s radar.”
Fowler also confirmed the Broncos’ high hopes for fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman, whose character has drawn praise, while his physical skill set has garnered comparisons to new teammate J.K. Dobbins and could earn him looks for a role on third downs.
Still, the Broncos’ situation at tight end leaves plenty of room for uncertainty. That is true even with Engram and co-starter Adam Trautman both returning for the Broncos.
Broncos Miss Out on Evan Engram Clone
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos throws the ball during a timeout during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Stowers was a target that seemed to be of particular interest to the Broncos. He went to the Eagles with the 54th (Boerkircher was the 56th overall pick). He has notably also drawn comparisons to Engram after the draft.
“Will have more thoughts about Eli Stowers in a bit, the new #Eagles tight end, but he’s more of a receiver than true in-line tight end. Mismatch weapon, vertical threat ability, an H-back type that is very similar skill set wise to Evan Engram,” the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Devin Jackson posted on X on April 24.
“Former QB background. Very intriguing player who can command middle of the field targets.”
In addition to Bentley, Engram, Joly, and Trautman, the Broncos also have Lucas Krull and Nate Adkins in their tight end room.
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