Historically, the Broncos have not invested in blocking-room continuity at tight end. After adding several late-round lottery tickets and hoping one would blossom, the results have been mixed at best. In 2025, Caleb Lohner was selected in the seventh round and kept on the practice squad, followed by fifth- and seventh-round choices in 2026 from North Carolina State’s Justin Joly and Utah’s Dallen Bentley, respectively. None of these moves provided an immediate plug-and-play upgrade at the position.
If the Broncos are to land a ready-made piece who can contribute right away, the 2027 free-agent market could hold the best chance. One potential fit is Tucker Kraft, then with the Green Bay Packers. Kraft profiles as a physical target in the passing game, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing around 259 pounds, with the ability to be effective after the catch. He showed promise in 2025 before an ACL injury in Week 9, posting 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns that season. Kraft was a 2023 third-round pick (No. 78 overall) and will be entering the final season of his rookie contract. Market projections suggest a substantial four-year deal could be in the neighborhood of $62 million if he hits free agency.
The NFL’s free agency period for 2027 would mark a significant milestone in planning for any team hoping to upgrade at tight end, as the position is one of the more challenging to develop quickly through the draft. The Broncos’ need is evident: despite improvements across most offensive groups, tight end remains an area where the team has not enjoyed Pro Bowl recognition in over a decade, and an All-Pro honor has been elusive since the days of Shannon Sharpe. The question remains whether a future success story can be cultivated through the draft or if a high-end veteran acquisition will be necessary to elevate the offense.
In recent seasons, the Broncos’ tight ends have struggled to secure consistent, high-impact production. The best recent example among the team’s tight ends was Noah Fant, who was traded to Seattle in 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson trade package. Greg Dulcich, who contributed as a promising option under previous coaching staff, faced limited opportunities under the new regime and fluctuated between active play and bench status, highlighting how a change in coaching philosophy can affect the utilization of the position.
Dulcich, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end, was drafted in the third round (No. 80 overall) in 2020. He posted a rookie season with 33 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games, but various injuries and coaching changes impacted his development and role. After limited action in 2023 and 2024, he eventually moved on, seeking a fresh start elsewhere. The evolving tight end landscape for the Broncos continues to be a focal point for personnel discussions, as teams increasingly rely on versatile, mismatch-fitting players at the position.
Looking ahead, the Broncos will need to decide how aggressively to pursue a reliable tight end. Whether through continued draft-and-develop efforts or a bold sign-and-fit approach in the 2027 free-agent class, the goal remains clear: find a player who can contribute immediately and grow with the offense. The optimal strategy will depend on the team’s broader roster-building plan, salary-cap considerations, and the availability of a true difference-maker at a position that has historically proven difficult to address quickly through the draft alone.
