Broncos have some options to find a pass-catching tight end in free agency

As was the case with inside linebacker, the Denver Broncos saw some potential options at tight end stay put and avoid the open market, as Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki and Austin Hooper each opted to remain with Washington, Cincinnati and New England, respectively.

JUWAN JOHNSON, NEW ORLEANS

With more yardage in 2024 than the Broncos’ entire tight-end room as a collective, he would represent an instant pass-catching upgrade whose production is on the upswing. A converted wide receiver, Johnson can operate well in space and he knows the offense, as Pete Carmichael kept the Payton scheme in place with the Saints for three seasons before the team changed last year. Johnson is probably the best fit for what the Broncos specifically lack in their tight-end room right now.

NOTABLE NUMBER: Johnson’s average depth of target last year was 8.2 yards, which was 9th among 65 tight ends with at least 15 targets (per SportRadar.com).

EVAN ENGRAM, EX-JACKSONVILLE

Caught up in a roster purge executed by new general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, Engram is just a year removed from a catch-monster 114-reception season in which he was a prolific short-area target, finishing that campaign with 963 yards and an average depth of target of 5.4 yards.

Engram is no longer the stretch-the-field threat he was when he broke into the league, but he remains a reliable underneath target.

NOTABLE NUMBER: Engram’s average yardage after the catch has dropped from 6.4 in 2022 to 3.2 last year.

TYLER CONKLIN, N.Y. JETS

Conklin’s production has been steady — between 51 and 61 catches over the last four seasons. He had career highs in receptions and yards with the Jets in 2023 despite the quarterback instability that resulted from losing Aaron Rodgers to a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 1 of that season.

He turns 30 in July and is a player with whom you know what you’re getting, and having him would free the Broncos from being in a position where they had to draft a tight end who needed to contribute immediately.

NOTABLE NUMBER: With one drop in 52 catchable passes, Conklin’s drop rate was the third-best among 38 tight ends with at least 30 catchable passes last season, trailing only New Orleans’ Foster Moreau and Detroit’s Sam LaPorta.

GERALD EVERETT, EX-CHICAGO

He’s one year removed from a 51-catch season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and for most of his eight seasons in the NFL the South Alabama product has been a solid, steady pass catcher with durability. But he didn’t gain much traction in Chicago, and the notion of using him in 2-tight end sets with standout Cole Kmet failed to launch. Still, he may have something left in the tank — and he would provide the Broncos assurance of having at least one proven pass-catcher in the room depending on what they add in the draft.

If the Broncos have the intent of to find a long-term solution next month, Everett could fit the bill as a bridge while a draft pick takes an on-ramp to becoming an every-down contributor.

NOTABLE NUMBER: Everett has missed just 8 games in his career.