The Denver Broncos find themselves in a pivotal draft cycle as they continue to reshape the franchise under head coach Sean Payton. With Bo Nix now entrenched as the quarterback of the future following a transitional 2024 season, the focus shifts to putting the right pieces around him. One of the more overlooked but critical positions in need of long-term reinforcement is tight end — a position Payton historically values in his offensive designs. While the Broncos do have Evan Engram, a recent acquisition via free agency, his role is more that of a move tight end or oversized slot receiver. The team lacks a true all-around option who can help both as a pass-catcher and a blocker, particularly someone who can contribute right away while growing into a long-term offensive centerpiece. With several intriguing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, Denver has a real opportunity to land a high-upside tight end who complements the current roster and helps elevate the overall offensive output.
The first name that continues to generate buzz in draft circles is Georgia’s Oscar Delp. A former high-profile recruit, Delp finally stepped into a full-time starting role in Athens this past season and made the most of it. His combination of size, athleticism, and route-running polish makes him a natural fit in an NFL offense. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Delp moves like a big wide receiver but with the physicality to line up inline and hold his own as a blocker. What makes him particularly appealing to Denver is how well he would mesh with a creative play-caller like Payton. Delp can be motioned out wide, flexed into the slot, or used traditionally with his hand in the dirt. His catch radius and comfort in traffic also give Nix a much-needed safety valve, especially on third downs and in the red zone. With early Day 2 value, Delp could be available when the Broncos make their second selection — a sweet spot for tight ends in this class.
Another potential target is Ja’Tavion Sanders out of Texas. Though he projects to go early, should he slip due to the depth at other positions, Denver could be an ideal landing spot. Sanders is arguably the most polished receiver among tight ends in this class. His route running, hands, and ability to generate yards after the catch resemble more of a hybrid receiver than a traditional tight end, but that’s not a knock in today’s NFL. The Broncos, who have struggled to generate explosive plays down the seam, could benefit from Sanders’ vertical ability and fluidity in space. He’s the type of player who can stretch defenses, force mismatches against linebackers and safeties, and create clear opportunities for other offensive weapons. While he’s not the most refined blocker, he’s competitive and willing, which is often enough in a league that values movement skills over pure power at the position. If Denver goes with an offensive lineman or cornerback in the first round, Sanders becomes a prime option early in the second — provided he lasts that long.
Looking further down the board, a high-upside developmental option is Colorado State’s Dallin Holker. Holker exploded in 2024, finishing among the top tight ends in receptions and receiving yards nationwide. What stands out about Holker is his natural feel for space and timing. He’s one of the best zone-beaters in this class, which is something that can’t be overstated when considering how many teams employ two-high safety looks and coverage-heavy schemes. Holker isn’t the biggest or the fastest, but his football IQ and hands are elite traits. He knows where to sit in zones, understands leverage against man coverage, and rarely drops passes. For Denver, who may be looking for a reliable option rather than a flashy one, Holker could be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 steal. He’d likely begin his career as a second or third tight end, but it’s not hard to imagine him carving out a major role by year two — especially if Engram’s durability or fit becomes a question.
Another intriguing candidate is Theo Johnson out of Penn State. While his college production wasn’t overwhelming, his physical tools are arguably unmatched in this class. At 6-foot-6 and nearly 260 pounds, Johnson is a true specimen. He runs extremely well for his size and has the type of raw athleticism that coaches dream of molding. His flashes at Penn State showed a player capable of making acrobatic catches, running away from linebackers, and dominating at the point of attack as a blocker. The question with Johnson is consistency. Too often, he would disappear in games, and his technique — both in route running and blocking — remains a work in progress. But if Denver is looking for a long-term solution who can develop into a legitimate Pro Bowl-caliber talent, Johnson is worth the gamble. He fits the mold of a player who might start slowly but could eventually become the offense’s centerpiece alongside Bo Nix. His red zone upside alone might be worth using a mid-round pick.
Lastly, a name that could rise late in the process is Minnesota’s Brevyn Spann-Ford. A massive presence at 6-foot-7 and nearly 270 pounds, Spann-Ford is built like a left tackle but moves with surprising grace for his size. His appeal is more projection than production — his college numbers were solid but not spectacular — yet his potential is undeniable. He’s a mauler in the run game and a true inline Y-tight end, the kind that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s pass-happy NFL. If the Broncos want to add a physical edge to their offense, particularly for short-yardage and red-zone packages, Spann-Ford is a great fit. He could pair well with Engram’s finesse game, giving Denver the flexibility to mix personnel groupings and adjust based on matchups. While his route running still needs work and he may never become a 700-yard-per-season receiver, his presence could elevate the team’s run game and overall physical identity.
All five tight ends offer something a little different, and that’s what makes this year’s draft so fascinating for a team like Denver. They don’t need a do-it-all player, though that would be ideal — they need someone who fills a role within a balanced and increasingly modern offensive system. Whether it’s the vertical explosion of Sanders, the physical dominance of Spann-Ford, or the steady reliability of Holker, each prospect offers a unique path forward. Denver has long been in search of a reliable long-term answer at tight end, dating back to the Julius Thomas days. For a young quarterback still adjusting to the speed of the league, having a dependable target in the middle of the field is invaluable. Moreover, with the AFC West as competitive as ever and featuring some of the league’s best pass rushers, adding a tight end who can chip or help anchor the edge could also play a major role in protecting Bo Nix and extending plays.
As the Broncos prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, the tight end position presents both an opportunity and a challenge. There’s no shortage of talent available, but the key will be identifying the player whose traits most naturally align with Payton’s offensive philosophy and Denver’s long-term plan. The selection doesn’t need to be flashy. It needs to be smart, forward-thinking, and tailored to the vision of building around a young quarterback with high expectations. If Denver can strike the right balance of upside and immediate contribution, the tight end they select this year could quietly become one of the most important pieces in their ongoing rebuild.