One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft is Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer. Is he a 6-5, 247-pound tight end and is considered one of the better tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Royer started his career at Ohio State and was there for three seasons before entering the transfer portal and landing with Cincinnati these past two seasons. During his two seasons with Cinci, Royer appeared in 25 games and totaled 79 receptions for 416 yards and 7 touchdowns.
His best year came in 2024 when he totaled 50 receptions, but this past year, he had 29 receptions for 416 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Broncos re-signed veteran tight end Adam Trautman to a multi-year deal this offseason and brought back Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull on one-year vet minimum deals. They also have veteran tight end Evan Engram returning to the team, but they still need to add to their tight end room. Royer would give them a big and athletic target to utilize in their passing game and potentially take over for Engram down the road.
Player Profile
Joe Royer | Tight End | Cincinnati
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 247 pounds
- Arm Length: 31.5 inches
- Hand Size: 10 3/4 inches
Note: He did not work out at the Combine or at his Pro Day
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- Has the size and athletic build you look for in a tight end prospect
- Plus body control and fluid movement skills in open spaces
- Is able to create separation when running routes and is sneaky fast after the catch
- Runs angry after the catch and is tough to bring down
- Has soft hands and is able to make tough contested catches
- Finds the open spaces in zone coverage
- Willing blocker who should improve in that area as he develops
- Did not test, but is one of the more athletic tight ends in the draft based on the tape
Weaknesses
- A lot of his big plays in college came off broken plays/schemed open plays
- While a willing blocker, his technique and overall strength will need to improve
- Only has a basic route tree and will need to add some branches once he’s drafted
What other analysts are saying about Cincinnati TE Joe Royer
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Cincinnati TE Joe Royer
Two-year starter at Cincinnati after three uneventful seasons at Ohio State. Royer is low-cut with a long torso and good foot quickness. He is better over the first two levels, with a more basic route tree allowing him to flow. He’s physical as a pass-catcher when needed and makes combat catches that others might drop. He shows enough toughness and technique as a blocker to expect him to improve in that area. Royer has TE2/3 potential if he continues to polish his game.
Should the Broncos draft Cincinnati TE Joe Royer on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft?
If he’s there in the 4th round, I would not be upset.
Royer passes the eye test for me. He has the build, athleticism, body control, and fluid movement skills to be a productive pass-catcher in the NFL. I love the fire and anger he has after the catch, and I think he would bring some pass-catching upside to the Broncos tight end room.
It’s a shame that he did not test because I believe he would be one of the more athletic tight ends in this draft, but it is what it is. I think he’s in that 3rd to 5th round range, and if he’s available for the Broncos in the 4th round, I wouldn’t be upset with it.
It’s a loaded tight end group, so the Broncos will have some options if they want to add to their tight end room via the draft this offseason.
