The Broncos have built a roster strong enough that obvious holes are hard to find. But if you start picking through the depth chart, one spot stands out fast: tight end.
Denver can make a case for needing help at linebacker and safety, too, mostly for depth. Tight end is different. That room has been a problem for three straight years, and the current setup still looks thin at the top and fragile behind it.
The free-agent route never really opened the way the Broncos wanted. They were reportedly priced out of some of the markets in March, which pushed them back toward Adam Trautman. He ended up signing for less than $1.5 million per year than the other tight ends Denver liked, but in hindsight the extra money might have been worth it if it landed the right player.
The draft didn’t help much either. The blocking tight ends came off the board early, before Denver was even on the clock with its first pick late in Round 2.
The Broncos didn’t pivot, and that left them without one of the top blocking options in the class. For now, they’re left waiting to see what they get from Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley, both pass-catching tight ends.
That’s why the options are so limited now. There aren’t quality tight ends sitting in free agency, and Taysom Hill doesn’t fit the bill. He has been used as a gadget tight end under Sean Payton and handled that role well, but he’ll turn 36 this month, has been one of the worst players to see the field over the past few years, and has also dealt with injuries.
So if Denver is going to make a real upgrade, the trade market is the only path left. Even there, the noise has been light.
The T.J. Hockenson chatter that hung around for a while has cooled off, and his contract and medicals would be enough to scare off a team like the Broncos anyway.
Other names have floated around at different points, but none look especially clean. The Chicago Bears have Cole Kmet, though they may want to use more 13 personnel, which would keep him in the mix. Michael Mayer has wanted out of Las Vegas for the past two years, but he doesn’t appear to be moving, and the Raiders are unlikely to trade him inside the division.
If Denver is shopping for a smaller swing, or a player who could develop into more, there are a few names worth watching. The New York Jets have been rebuilding their tight end room, making Jeremy Ruckert a player to monitor. The Washington Commanders are in a similar spot, so Ben Sinnott could also be a call worth making.
Luke Musgrave of the Green Bay Packers has been mentioned as being on the hot seat, though he is dealing with what could be a serious neck injury. Tip Reiman of the Arizona Cardinals is another possibility, but he suffered a severe ankle injury in October 2025 and is still working through lingering issues. In both cases, medicals would drive any decision.
Then there’s Luke Schoonmaker of the Dallas Cowboys. He has had his moments, but he has also been passed on the depth chart. That isn’t a major red flag given how strong the Cowboys’ tight end room is, and it could make him a worthwhile target.
For George Paton, the challenge is obvious: finding help here is tough. The free-agent market has dried up, the trade market isn’t exactly buzzing, and there are plenty of questions around who might actually be available.
As it stands, the Broncos’ tight end group looks set to be one of the league’s weakest again, even with Evan Engram shining in practice, just as he did a year ago. Denver still hasn’t translated that practice production into games, though perhaps new offensive coordinator Davis Webb can help change that.
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Breer also noted that Nixs arm strength appears to be trending in the right direction, and that growth is showing up in the way he is handling different kinds of throws as he works back into form. There is a clear sense that Denvers setup for 2026 could be promising if Nix keeps moving this way, especially with the coaching structure giving him room to continue developing as a leader. The important part now is whether that progress keeps building once the real pressure of the season returns. [Read more 🡒]