The Denver Broncos are heading into their postseason opener against the Buffalo Bills with a bold move that’s raised some eyebrows-and maybe even a few expectations. On Friday, the team elevated seventh-round rookie Caleb Lohner from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. That alone might not turn heads-until you realize Lohner hasn’t played a single snap all season and, frankly, hasn’t played much football at all.
Lohner’s journey to the NFL is anything but conventional. He was a college basketball player first, suiting up for BYU, Baylor, and Utah.
It was at Utah where he dipped his toes into football, catching just four passes during his time with the team. But here’s the kicker: all four of those receptions went for touchdowns.
That kind of efficiency, even in a small sample size, is enough to pique the interest of a coach like Sean Payton.
And Payton clearly saw something. The Broncos used a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft to take a flyer on Lohner, banking on his athletic upside and rare physical traits.
At 6-foot-7, Lohner brings a basketball player’s body and instincts to the football field-traits that have translated well for others in the past. Think Antonio Gates.
Think Jimmy Graham.
Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. No one’s saying Lohner is the next Gates or Graham.
But the comparison isn’t totally out of left field, especially when you consider who’s coaching him. Sean Payton helped turn Graham, another college basketball convert, into one of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history.
Under Payton in New Orleans, Graham racked up 719 career receptions-eighth-most all-time among tight ends-and became a matchup nightmare in the red zone.
That’s the kind of upside the Broncos are quietly hoping for with Lohner. His size and athleticism could create mismatches, especially in tight spaces near the goal line. And in a win-or-go-home playoff game, even a few snaps from a player like Lohner could force the defense to adjust.
Of course, there’s a chance Lohner ends up inactive on game day. But the fact that he’s even in the conversation for playing time in a divisional playoff game says a lot. It suggests that Payton might have been developing a wildcard behind the scenes all season-one that could be unleashed at just the right moment.
Whether or not Lohner sees the field, the move signals that the Broncos are willing to get creative. And in the postseason, that kind of unpredictability can be a powerful weapon.