The Denver Broncos say that Evan Engram is still an important part of their offense, but that may not actually be true.
The Denver Broncos won’t step up to the podium this Thursday night in the first round of the NFL draft, but that’s not stopping the fan base and local media for clamoring for a new tight end.
Evan Engram’s lack of production was an ongoing issue this season for Broncos fans, especially since Engram got a two-year contract for $23 million and it often seemed like the tight end and quarterback Bo Nix weren’t on the same page, according to Sam Robinson of ProFootball Rumors.com.
The writer added that the Broncos still see Engram as an important piece, even though Denver was reportedly in on acquiring tight end Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles before Goedert re-signed in Philly.
David Njoku is unsigned, but the Broncos and other potential suitors may decide to wait until after the draft when compensatory picks are awarded to consider him.
But coach Sean Payton told Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette that the 31-year old Engram is still a key piece for the team, even if it is hard to take that claim at face value. Engram did catch 50 passes for 461 yards, but he never became the big-play “joker” at tight end that Payton covets as part of his offense. Payton has talked multiple times about using this position to help add versatility and stop the inconsistencies that hindered Denver last year.
Robinson identified Engram as a possible cut candidate ahead of free agency, but the Broncos chose not to add any veteran tight ends to make that possible. Cutting him now would make little sense given that the move would come with a cap hit of just over $10 million, but the Broncos would save $6.47 million if they cut him after June 1. Engram will turn 32 and is unsigned beyond 2026, so his future is uncertain, although he could stay on as a bridge player while Nix is on his rookie contract.
There’s still a possibility the Broncos could make a significant move in the draft. The Broncos have the No. 62 pick, so they’re evaluating prospects in the 45-75 range. College tight ends Kenyon Saddiq and Eli Stowers will be gone by then, but are several secondary tight ends who could make sense if Sean Payton has a player in mind. The Broncos also have a lot of depth players they could dangle in a trade to get either Saddiq or Stowers.