The Denver Broncos drafted Justin Joly in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft, and according to Sports Illustrated writer Justin Melo, Joly could be a late-round steal who could contribute early for the Broncos.
Joly posted 1978 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns between his two stints with the UCONN Huskies and the NC State Wolfpack, and his size (6-3, 251 pounds) and wide receiver background may help him be an asset in Sean Payton’s offense.
“Justin Joly is a compact and athletic tight end prospect who used to play wide receiver,” Melo wrote for SI. “His background pops on tape in his ability to consistently separate from single-man coverage. Joly is undersized, but his athletic traits allow him to uncover. He recorded a team-high with 49 receptions this past season with 489 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll be a moveable ‘F’ for Sean Payton’s and Bo Nix’s Denver Broncos.”
Joly’s competition at tight end includes veteran Evan Engram, who is entering the final year of his contract, and Adam Trautman, who is used more as a blocker than as a receiver. So there should be opportunities for Joly to make an instant impact as a receiver threat in Payton’s offense this fall.
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