Last year, the Denver Broncos floated the idea of Evan Engram being a ‘joker’ for their offense. All offseason, the hope was that veteran tight end would be a significant difference maker for the Broncos’ offense. It had been years since the franchise had seen significant production at the position.
Sadly, Engram wasn’t a needle mover at all. He struggled to make waves in his first year in Denver. In sixteen games, Denver’s highly touted free agent acquisition hauled in only 50 catches for 461 yards
and 1 touchdown. The yardage and touchdown output were some of the worst of his career.
Just nineteen of those receptions went for first down and he sported just a 65-percent catch rate when targeted—several points lower than his career average. Additionally, his eight drops were the second-worst of his career. Sporting a 10.5-percent drop rate was the highest of any season to date.
Entering his tenth season in the National Football League, the Broncos’ 2026 campaign will likely be the last for Engram in the Mile High City. Accounting for just over $14 million on the team’s salary cap, all of Broncos Country is looking to see more from him this season.
Player Profile
Age: 31 | Experience: Tenth Year | College: Ole Miss | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 240 pounds
Arm Length: 33-1/2” | Hand Size: 10” | Broad: 10’5” | Vertical: 36” | Bench: 19 reps
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.23 seconds | 3-Cone: 6.92 seconds
Evan Engram’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
Engram enters the ’26 season as one of the top two tight ends on the roster alongside Adam Trautman. Trautman is Denver’s prototypical ‘Y’ inline tight end, while Engram operates as Denver’s ‘F’ or move option in their offense. Last year, he often was flexed out as a big slot for them.
With Head Coach Sean Payton surrendering playcalling duties, it will be interesting to see if Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb dials up more plays to go Engram’s way. He had 76 targets last season, ranking third behind Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin. However, the addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will certainly change up the volume numbers for everyone on offense.
That being said, it’s hard to believe there will be a substantial increase in target share for the tenth-year pro. What I’m hoping for is that Engram is able to reduce his drop rate and be more efficient on the looks he does get on offense. Though I will say there were numerous times he was open last year operating over the middle of the field, yet Bo Nix wasn’t able to step up in the pocket and deliver him.
Final Thoughts
Denver’s upcoming gridiron campaign is likely Engram’s last in the Mile High City. They drafted Justin Joly in the fifth-round in the 2026 NFL Draft. I believe Joly has the skillset and traits to eventually replace what Engram offers on the offense. Additionally, they picked Dallen Bentley late in the seventh-round as another developmental tight end for their offense. All things considered, I do believe Engram will perform better this year, though unlikely his overall production meets the hefty price tag he costs against the salary cap.
