Sean Payton’s Broncos Predicted to Trade Up To Land 6’5″ Offensive Weapon in 1st Round of 2025 NFL Draft

Entering the offseason, the Denver Broncos’ biggest need is at tight end. Head coach Sean Payton has stressed that he wanted to add a “joker” — a versatile offensive weapon that he could move all over the field.

While the Broncos recently signed tight end Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million deal in free agency, is it possible they will still target a tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft given the fact the Engram is 30 years old and Payton really values the position?

Prior to the Engram signing, PFSN’s David Bearman suggested that the Broncos might trade up with the Atlanta Falcons to land a stud tight end in the PFSN’s mock draft.

Denver Broncos Predicted To Trade Up to Land Tyler Warren

“With Tyler Warren going to the Colts, the Denver Broncos jump up five spots to get a tight end for second-year QB Bo Nix. It’s no secret that Sean Payton is looking for his ‘joker’ on offense, and Loveland is the perfect piece,” Bearman writes.

“He is a great route runner with excellent size and strength to be an effective weapon in the passing game. Some have him ahead of Warren on their TE list, but either way, Payton gets what he wants.”

In the mock draft, the Broncos receive Nos. 15 and 201 and a 2026 sixth-rounder from Atlanta, while the Falcons receive Nos. 20 and 51 from Denver. Since Bearman has Tyler Warren of Penn State landing with the Indianapolis Colts at the No. 14, he has the Broncos selecting tight end Colston Loveland from the Michigan Wolverines at No. 15.

During the 2024 season, the 6’5″ tight end had 56 receptions for 582 yards along with five touchdowns with a 10.4 yards average per catch.

It’s no secret that the Broncos need help at tight end. Adam Trautman led the team’s group last year with 188 receiving yards on 13 receptions (22 targets), reeling in just two touchdowns.

Engram is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season, but he was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2023 after hauling in 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns. After averaging more than 10 yards per reception in his first four years in the league, he can serve the offense as a security blanket or vertical threat.

However, given his age and injury history, perhaps Loveland also makes sense as a target for Denver in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Broncos are a well-rounded team that has only gotten deeper this offseason. They are coming off a season in which their defense ranked first in PFSN’s defensive rankings, finishing with a 90.6 Defense+ grade. Their offensive line matched their first-place trophy with a near-perfect 99.5 OL+ grade.

Nix was a revelation as a rookie last season. Largely written off by most entering the year, he was largely a dependable player for them at quarterback while also showing flashes of upside. His middle-of-the-pack QB+ grade (74.8, 18th) demonstrated that there is still some growth to be found, but a part of that will be putting more dependable weapons around him in 2025 and beyond.