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These Second-Tier Tight Ends Could Fill A Major Need For Broncos In Next Week's Draft
TL;DR
The Denver Broncos face a tight end shortage ahead of the draft, lacking a first-round pick. They are exploring second-tier tight ends to address this pressing need.
Key points
- Denver Broncos have a tight end problem.
- Broncos lack a first-round pick in the draft.
- Top tight ends Kenyon Saddiq and Eli Stowers will be gone.
- Tight end need rated 9 out of 10 by Luca Evans.
- Justin Joly from NC State is a potential option.
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Denver Post
Kenyon SaddiqEli StowersJustin JolyLuca Evans
These Second-Tier Tight Ends Could Fill A Major Need For Broncos In Next Week's Draft
The Denver Broncos have a tight end problem, but solving it via the draft is going to be a tough task. The Broncos don’t have a pick in the first round after the Jaylen Waddle trade, and they know that the two top tight ends in the draft, Kenyon Saddiq and Eli Stowers, will be long gone by the time Denver gets to the podium.
But Luca Evans of the Denver Post did a deeper dive into this year’s draft class at tight end, which he described as deep but not illustrious, and it’s well worth taking a look at some of the names he came up with as Broncos possibilities. That’s especially so given that he scored the Broncos’ need at tight end at 9 out of 10 in his rating of different position groups.
Justin Joly, NC State
Unlike many of the second-tier tight ends who have been connected with the Broncos, Joly has a track record of production. He’s 6’3”, 240 pounds, and Joly did his best collegiate work catching the football at NC State and UConn. He’s caught at least 43 balls for at least 489 yards each of the past three seasons, according to Evans, who added that Joly has “a ton of versatility in the passing game, from screens and quick game to the middle of the field.” The Broncos have already had him in for a pre-draft visit, which marks him even further as a player to watch.
Max Klare, Ohio State
Klare is regarded as a balanced player, according to Evans, but like many collegiate tight ends, he’s more accomplished as a receiver than a blocker at this point. With some development in the run game, he could be an all-around player who could be a three-down player. He hasn’t done any testing that’s been made publicly available, but Klare is regarded as a terrific athlete at 6’5”, 246 pounds. Klare spent one year at Ohio State and caught 43 passes for 448 yards after a standout 2024 season at Purdue, and he’s yet another tight end who’s already done a Denver visit.
Q&A
Who are the top tight ends available in the NFL draft for the Broncos?
The top tight ends in the draft are Kenyon Saddiq and Eli Stowers, who are expected to be unavailable by the time the Broncos pick.
What is the Broncos' need rating for tight ends in the upcoming draft?
The Broncos scored their need at tight end as 9 out of 10, indicating a significant requirement for this position.
Which second-tier tight ends could the Broncos consider in the draft?
Justin Joly from NC State is one of the second-tier tight ends that the Broncos might consider to fill their tight end gap.
