The Denver Broncos are heading into 2026 with a noticeable shift in philosophy, as head coach Sean Payton steps back from play-calling duties. But while the offensive structure may evolve, one glaring issue remains unchanged: Denver’s tight end room.
After re-signing familiar names like Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, and Lucas Krull, the Broncos are essentially running it back with a unit that struggled to make a consistent impact last season.
This was a bottom-tier group, even with Evan Engram in the mix, as he finished his debut Denver season with 50 receptions for just 461 yards. All signs indicate that if Denver wants a real difference-maker at the position, the 2026 NFL Draft might be their best, and perhaps only, shot to find one.
Why Eli Stowers Makes Sense for the Broncos in the Second Round
Engram finished 46th in PFSN’s TE Impact Metric. That’s not a foundation you bank on heading into a new offensive phase. Add to that the fact that there’s no proven difference-maker behind Engram, and with his long-term future uncertain, the need for a high-upside addition becomes even more pressing.
That’s where PFSN’s Jacob Infante hits the mark with his latest mock draft, which offers a potential solution.
At No. 62 overall, Infante has Denver selecting Eli Stowers, calling him “one of the top athletes at tight end in this year’s draft class.” He added, “He’s a bit raw as an in-line blocker, but offers good vertical speed and explosiveness as a route runner coming out of his breaks.”
That athletic profile isn’t just intriguing; it’s exactly what Sean Payton has been searching for: a “Joker” tight end who can stress defenses, create mismatches, and operate as a dynamic receiving threat. Stowers fits that mold almost perfectly, especially with his rare blend of size, speed, and explosiveness.
The numbers back it up. A record-high 45.5-inch vertical and 4.51 speed make him a legitimate red-zone weapon, someone who could immediately give Bo Nix a reliable target over the middle and in scoring situations.
There is, however, a catch.
Stowers might be the ideal fit on paper, but the reality is far more complicated for the Broncos. If he’s gone before No. 62, as many expect, Denver would have to consider trading up, likely into the top 50, to secure him.
And that’s where the decision gets tricky.
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With a deeper pool of tight end prospects offering more balanced skill sets, mainly as blockers, Denver may be better off staying patient and addressing the position without sacrificing additional draft capital. Especially now, with Jaylen Waddle in the mix, the urgency for another pure pass-catching weapon isn’t as pressing as it once seemed.
That doesn’t diminish what Stowers brings to the table. His athletic upside is undeniable, and in the right system, he could quickly emerge as a mismatch nightmare.
