The Denver Broncos may not have had Justin Joly on their radar before the 2026 NFL Draft, but that’s about to change. The fifth-round pick out of North Carolina State is generating serious buzz, and for good reason.

ESPN’s Field Yates recently highlighted Joly on his list of Day 2-3 draft picks poised to make an “instant impact” — and Broncos fans should take note. As an AFC contender, Denver needs young talent that can contribute right away, and Joly fits the bill.

What makes this fit so exciting? It comes down to head coach Sean Payton’s offensive philosophy. Payton-coached teams have long thrived with a “Joker” — a versatile tight end or running back who creates mismatches in the passing game. Last offseason, Denver signed Evan Engram to fill that role, but his production was modest: 50 catches, 461 yards, and just one touchdown.

Enter Joly. He’s a nimble, athletic pass-catcher with a knack for hauling in throws outside his frame. In his first three college seasons, he averaged over 6.0 yards after the catch per reception and posted zero drops in 2025. That’s the kind of reliability and explosiveness that can transform an offense.

Of course, the path to playing time isn’t completely clear. Engram is still on the roster, and Denver also has Adam Trautman, who fills a more traditional tight end role. But in today’s NFL, teams are realizing you can never have too many tight ends. Joly’s skill set gives Payton another weapon to scheme with.

The ideal scenario? Joly learns the system early in the season, then hits his stride down the stretch — fresh and ready to make plays when it matters most. If injuries open the door sooner, he’ll be ready to step in.

Either way, this is a player worth watching. For Broncos fans, the future just got a little more exciting.