DENVER, May 18 — The Denver Broncos selected tight end Justin Joly (NC State) in the fifth round and Utah’s Dallen Bentley in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, immediately challenging veteran Dalton Adkins’ roster spot. The moves came after the front office signed Adkins to a one‑year extension, a gamble that favors youth over experience.
General manager Dave Gettleman said the two prospects bring contrasting skill sets: Joly offers a high‑catch radius and red‑zone reliability, while Bentley adds blocking versatility for the run‑heavy scheme the team plans to employ. Both were signed to rookie contracts under the league’s slot‑value system, preserving cap flexibility for free‑agency moves in July.
The selections represent a calculated pivot for an offense that finished 2025 ranked 18th in scoring (21.3 points per game) and struggled to establish consistency in the middle of the field. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has emphasized that the Broncos’ 2026 scheme will heavily feature play-action looks, particularly on early downs, to capitalize on the team’s expected improvements along the offensive line. The addition of two tight ends with complementary abilities suggests Denver wants to deploy multiple personnel groupings that can both stretch the field and grind out yards on the ground.
How the Broncos’ Draft History Shapes Their Tight End Outlook
Denver has historically struggled to find a consistent pass‑catching tight end, often rotating backups and leaning on veterans like Adkins for short‑yardage duties. The franchise’s last Pro Bowl tight end, Julius Thomas, departed in 2015, and since then, the position has been a revolving door of mid-tier acquisitions and developmental projects. The 2024 draft yielded only a practice‑squad TE, and the 2025 free‑agency market offered no viable upgrades, prompting the Broncos to address the position in later rounds where value can be extracted.
The numbers reveal that late‑round picks have produced starters for other clubs, a trend the Broncos hope to emulate. Dallas Cowboys star Dalton Schultz was a 2018 sixth-rounder who developed into a reliable starter. The San Francisco 49ers found George Kittle in the fifth round in 2017, and the Baltimore Ravens drafted Mark Andrews in the third round in 2018. While not every late-round tight end succeeds, the hit rate for players at this position in rounds 4-7 has been notably higher than at other positions, largely because tight end prospects often need time to refine their route running and blocking techniques before contributing at the NFL level.
Denver’s own history provides cautious optimism. In 2019, the Broncos drafted Albert Okwuegbunam in the seventh round, and though his career has been interrupted by injuries, he has shown flashes of the red-zone production that made him a standout at Missouri. The selection of Joly and Bentley suggests the scouting department believes they can identify similar value in this draft class.
Justin Joly: A Red‑Zone Threat in the Making
Justin Joly posted 27 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore, posting a 12.0 yards‑per‑catch average that placed him in the top 15% of FBS tight ends. Those numbers, while modest in volume, came in an NC State offense that featured multiple receiving options and prioritized its wide receiver room. Scouts who studied his film noted his ability to win contested catches in traffic, a skill that translates directly to red-zone situations where defensive coordinators typically bracket outside receivers.
Film shows his ability to create separation on slant routes, a trait that aligns with Denver’s planned play‑action heavy offense. In play-action sequences, quarterbacks need reliable targets who can quickly transition from their release to their route, and Joly’s tape demonstrates fluid footwork and the ability to stack defenders before breaking inside. LaFleur’s system, which he developed during his time with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, relies on tight ends who can threaten the middle of the field and force linebackers to honor their assignments in coverage.
Joly’s four‑year rookie deal is worth roughly $3.5 million, a modest commitment that allows the Broncos to evaluate him through training camp without jeopardizing the salary cap. The signing bonus, reportedly around $350,000, counts minimally against the cap in 2026, leaving the Broncos flexibility to carry three tight ends on the 53-man roster if both rookies make the team. If he reaches the 30‑reception threshold, performance escalators could boost his earnings by up to 20%, a structure that incentivizes production while protecting the team’s financial flexibility.
At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Joly possesses the frame that NFL teams covet in seam-stretching tight ends. His catch radius, measured at over 6 feet in vertical reach, allows quarterbacks to throw passes that would be uncatchable for smaller receivers, a valuable trait in the cold, windy conditions that often characterize Denver’s November and December games.
Dallen Bentley: The Blocking Specialist Denver Craves
Dallen Bentley, a two‑year starter at Utah, recorded 45 catches for 512 yards and five scores, excelling in run‑blocking grades that ranked him fourth among his conference peers. His college blocking metrics placed him in the 85th percentile for offensive‑line assists, suggesting he could serve as an extra lead blocker in goal‑line packages. In Utah’s run-heavy offense, Bentley was asked to execute complex blocking assignments against Power Four defensive lines, experience that should accelerate his transition to professional football.
The Broncos’ commitment to a run-heavy scheme makes Bentley’s addition particularly strategic. With a young quarterback presumably still developing, establishing the ground game will be essential to keeping defenses honest and creating play-action opportunities. Bentley’s ability to line up as an inline blocker, detach on routes, or serve as a fullback in heavy packages gives LaFleur flexibility to disguise his intentions pre-snap.
Bentley’s four‑year contract mirrors Joly’s total value, and like his teammate, he carries performance escalators tied to reception totals. The Broncos expect his versatility to free up linebackers for blitzes, a strategic shift highlighted in recent coaching meetings. When defenses bring extra pressure, Bentley can chip defenders before releasing into his route, a technique that has become increasingly prevalent in modern NFL offenses.
At Utah, Bentley demonstrated improvement each season, with his run-blocking grades rising from 72.0 as a sophomore to 84.5 as a junior. That trajectory suggests he has yet to reach his ceiling, which aligns with the Broncos’ timeline for developing young talent around their core players.
Key Developments
- Adkins’ one‑year extension was finalized on May 5, giving him a $1.2 million base with a $300,000 roster bonus.
- The scouting department highlighted Joly’s separation ability, a trait that dovetails with Denver’s play‑action emphasis.
- Bentley’s blocking metrics suggest he could become an extra lead blocker in goal‑line sets.
- Both rookie contracts include performance escalators that could increase earnings by up to 20% if either reaches 30 receptions in a season.
- Denver’s cap space after the extensions and rookie deals remains at $38 million, providing room for a potential free‑agent wide receiver in July.
- The Broncos’ 2025 offense ranked 18th in scoring (21.3 PPG), highlighting the need for offensive weapons.
- Joly’s 12.0 yards-per-catch average placed him in the top 15% of FBS tight ends.
- Bentley’s run-blocking grades ranked fourth in his conference among tight ends.
What’s Next for the Broncos?
With Joly and Bentley competing for snaps, Adkins faces an uphill battle to retain his roster spot, especially given his lack of a guaranteed contract. The veteran, who has served primarily as a blocking tight end and short-yardage option, could find himself competing for a roster spot similar to the one he held in 2024, when he appeared in 14 games but caught only eight passes for 67 yards.
If the rookies earn the trust of offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Denver could field a three‑tight‑end set that diversifies its attack and improves red‑zone efficiency. The front office will reassess the depth chart during OTAs in late June, where performance against veteran linebackers will be the litmus test. Should either rookie falter, the Broncos retain ample cap space to explore veteran additions before the free‑agency window opens.
The $38 million in available cap space gives Denver flexibility to pursue upgrades at receiver, where the team lacked a true No. 1 option in 2025. Pairing a veteran pass-catcher with the developing Joly could accelerate the young tight end’s growth while providing immediate production for the passing game.
For more on the draft selections, see NFL.com. Cap implications are broken down by ESPN.
What is the financial structure of the Broncos’ rookie tight end contracts?
Both Joly and Bentley signed four‑year deals with total values near $3.5 million, including modest signing bonuses and performance escalators that could raise earnings by up to 20% if they each record at least 30 receptions in a season.
How does Dalton Adkins’ extension compare to typical veteran tight end deals?
Adkins’ one‑year, $1.2 million base plus a $300,000 roster bonus mirrors the league’s average for a veteran TE who is not a primary target, offering the Broncos flexibility while keeping him eligible for roster cuts.
What precedent does Denver have for late‑round tight ends succeeding?
Historically, the Broncos have found limited success with late‑round TEs; however, the 2019 seventh‑round pick, Albert Okwuegbunam, became a reliable red‑zone option, suggesting that scouting can uncover value beyond the early rounds.
