As the dust settles on the 2025 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos’ approach to upgrading their tight end room remains a topic of concern. Despite a clear need for improvement at the position, Denver’s moves suggest they may still be walking a tightrope heading into the new season.

Tight end productivity was a problem — is Evan Engram the solution or just a stopgap?

The Broncos’ tight end corps struggled mightily in 2024, with Lucas Krull leading the group with just 19 receptions. That level of production is far from what’s expected in a modern NFL offense, especially one that lacks elite wide receiver depth.

In response, Denver made a splash by signing veteran Evan Engram in free agency. A former Pro Bowler, Engram posted an impressive 100 receptions in 2023. However, red flags remain. The 30-year-old missed eight games last season due to injury and has a history of durability issues. Additionally, while Engram can be a high-volume target, concerns persist about his ability to generate yards after the catch — a critical skill in Sean Payton’s offense.
If Engram is sidelined again, Denver could be forced to rely on a group that already proved inadequate last season. That’s a troubling possibility for a team trying to build a stable foundation around a still-developing quarterback situation.

Late-round flier Caleb Lohner is intriguing, but far from ready

Rather than targeting tight end help early in the draft, Denver waited until the seventh round to select Caleb Lohner — a player better known for his basketball resume than football. The 6’8″ Lohner played hoops at Baylor, BYU, and Utah before switching to football, where he recorded just four catches — all touchdowns — in one season.
Lohner is clearly a long-term developmental project, not a plug-and-play contributor. While his size and athleticism make him an intriguing red-zone weapon, he’s unlikely to offer meaningful production in 2025.
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With the season approaching, Denver’s tight end room hinges heavily on Engram staying healthy and producing at a high level. The team may look to bolster the position via late free-agent signings or post-camp roster cuts, but as of now, depth and experience remain thin.
If Engram goes down, it’s hard to see how the Broncos avoid falling back into the same offensive rut. The potential is there — but so are the risks.