The Denver Broncos had their eyes set on adding a dynamic tight end early in the NFL draft last month, but the board simply didn't cooperate. As the second round unfolded, a flurry of tight end selections—Eli Stowers (No. 54 to the Eagles), Nate Boerkircher (No. 56), Marlin Klein (No. 59), and Max Klare (No. 61)—came off the board in rapid succession, leaving the Broncos at pick No. 62 without their top targets.

Denver had reportedly explored the option of taking a tight end early, hoping to give quarterback Bo Nix a new weapon in the passing game. However, with the run on the position, the Broncos pivoted, trading down into the third round instead of reaching. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted, "Denver explored taking a tight end somewhat early, but the board didn't fall that way. The Broncos would have considered Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers if he made it to No. 62." Stowers was snapped up eight picks earlier by Philadelphia, and to add a touch of drama, someone at his draft party was spotted wearing a Broncos hat—a sign of what might have been.

Despite the early disappointment, Denver didn't leave the draft empty-handed at the position. In the fifth round, they landed NC State tight end Justin Joly, a player who has drawn praise for his 2024 tape, particularly when he played at a lighter weight. Fowler reported that "the Broncos really like his tape from 2024," and some draft analysts had Joly graded as a fourth-round prospect, suggesting he could be a steal. While the top-tier tight ends slipped away, Joly offers high upside and a chance for Denver to develop a key contributor for the future.

In the end, the Broncos navigated a tricky draft board, and while they missed out on an early tight end, they still addressed the position with a promising talent. It may have worked out well for a team looking to build around their young quarterback.