The Broncos’ tight end room has a ‘Joker’ in Evan Engram and a lottery ticket in Caleb Lohner.

Evan Engram gives the Broncos their ‘Joker’ tight end while Caleb Lohner could become the next Jimmy Graham.

The Broncos’ tight end room lacked a true receiving threat last season after former third-round pick Greg Dulcich was released and Lucas Krull failed to impress. That left Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins to be the Broncos’ top receiving threats at tight end. Both of which had their moments, but both are known for their blocking skills, not their receiving skills. So, finding Sean Payton his ‘Joker’ at the tight end position was a priority for the Broncos this offseason.

Thankfully, the Jaguars released veteran tight end Evan Engram, who quickly visited the Broncos and ended up signing with the team after a quick cup of coffee with the Chargers. He instantly slots in as Sean Payton’s ‘Joker’ and becomes one of the top pass-catching options in his offense. The Broncos did not stop there because with their final pick in the draft, they selected a bit of a lottery ticket. They selected former Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, who is a former basketball player transitioning to tight end. The last time Sean Payton drafted a former basketball player transitioning to tight end, he drafted Jimmy Graham. They ended up working out pretty well for him, and he has not shied away from making the comparison.

Outside of those two additions, you have veteran Adam Trautman returning, along with blocking specialist Nate Adkins. They give the Broncos traditional inline blockers who will help out in the running game while also contributing in the passing game occasionally as well.

With all that said, let’s take a look at the Broncos’ tight end and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.

Tight Ends

Evan Engram – Starter

The Broncos’ big offensive addition during free agency was signing Evan Engram. The productive pass-catching tight end will slot in as Sean Payton’s ‘Joker’ and give quarterback Bo Nix another talented pass-catching threat in the middle of the field.

He is likely going to line up in the slot or outside in Payton’s offense and could be the top-targeted player in the Broncos’ passing attack. Sean Payton loves to utilize the quick-passing game, and Bo Nix specializes in getting the ball out quickly. Engram will likely benefit from this and be a high-volume pass catcher for the Broncos like he was with the Jaguars.

He is coming off a shoulder injury and will turn 31 years old in September, so you have to keep that in mind, but he is an upgrade over what they had, regardless.

Adam Trautman – Starter

I am listing Trautman as a starter because he will likely be used like one this upcoming season. Engram is going to play mostly receiver, which will leave Trautman to be your traditional in-line tight end. This is the role he has held the past two seasons, and the former Sean Payton draft pick with the Saints is likely locked into a roster spot on the Broncos this upcoming season.

This is the sort of role Payton envisioned for him when he traded for him, but Greg Dulcich and others struggled to take over the receiving role, which made Trautman more of a full-time player. With that said, he can contribute as a pass-catcher when needed and should pair nicely with Engram.

Nate Adkins – Blocking specialist and Core Special Teamer

Former undrafted rookie Nate Adkins has quickly become a favorite of Head Coach Sean Payton. He does all the dirty work and does it well. He is likely the Broncos’ best run-blocking tight end on the roster, he can play fullback if needed, and is a core special-teams player. These are not the flashiest of roles, but roles that need to be filled on an NFL roster.

I believe we’ll see him in two tight end sets with Trautman, like we did last season in short-yardage and goal-line situations. We will also see him used in the passing game on occasion while also being a key member of the Broncos’ special teams units.

I believe he is locked into a roster spot and one of these blue-collar players that Sean Payton seems to really like.

Caleb Lohner – The Lottery Ticket

The 7th-round rookie had 4 career catches in college, all of which were touchdowns. He is an incredibly raw developmental player who does have some intriguing upside.

He is a 6’7, 250-pound tight end with 4.69 speed, long arms, and the potential to be a red zone nightmare for defenses. He needs a lot of development, but Sean Payton seems high on his potential, and I am intrigued to see how he looks in training camp and the preseason.

I believe he will be on the 53-man roster due to his upside and the team’s unwillingness to subject him to waivers, much like they did with Frank Crum last year. Outside of that, it is difficult to project what he will be moving forward, but he will be one of the more intriguing players to watch during training camp and the preseason.

Lucas Krull – Out of Chances

Lucas Krull has been given multiple chances and opportunities to step up and fill the receiving role for the Broncos the past two seasons. Despite multiple Greg Dulcich injuries and being released by the team, Krull failed to step up in his absence and is now on the outside looking in after the Engram and Lohner additions.

There was some Lucas Krull hype this time last year, but Payton pushed back on that when asked about it, and he failed to really stand out during camp, the preseason, and the regular season. Now, he will need to finally have his breakout year if he wants to make the team.

He is a possible practice squad candidate, but we will have to see what they do with Lohner and if they add from the outside.

Caden Prieskorn – Practice Squad candidate

The Broncos signed Prieskorn late in the spring, and he will now look to push for a spot on their practice squad. He is a blocking first tight end, so he will need to prove he can hold his own against NFL-level talent if he wants to stick around. If he does, he has a shot to stick on the practice squad.

After Trautman and Adkins, the Broncos do not have another blocking specialist on the roster, so he will have a shot to fill that role. If not, there will be a number of other veterans and younger players who can fill this role after the final cutdown period.

Final Thoughts

Evan Engram is the key player in this group. They need the veteran tight end to stay healthy and be productive. He was brought in to be their ‘Joker’ and a key member of their passing offense. So, a lot is riding on the 31-year-old veteran coming off a shoulder injury. I am hopeful he can live up to these expectations and be a major piece to the Broncos’ offense.

As for Trautman and Adkins, I don’t think much changes there. Both will have the same roles they had last season and be minimally impacted by the addition of Engram. Lohner is a big unknown with a ton of upside, while Krull and Prieskorn are fighting for a roster spot and/or a spot on the practice squad.

We shall see if Payton and the Broncos continue to add to this room in the coming weeks and months.