Former Oregon star given new 'best friend' as veteran addition's role becomes clearer
The Denver Broncos were expected to draft a playmaker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to help quarterback Bo Nix, but they pivoted at the last moment when cornerback Jahdae Barron was on the board. While the public wanted Denver to take a running back or receiver, the Broncos went with their […]
The Denver Broncos were expected to draft a playmaker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to help quarterback Bo Nix, but they pivoted at the last moment when cornerback Jahdae Barron was on the board. While the public wanted Denver to take a running back or receiver, the Broncos went with their highest-graded option instead.
While the Broncos had a good draft and still added running back RJ Harvey and receiver Pat Bryant on Day 2, their gigantic hole at tight end was filled by signing Evan Engram. The veteran signed a two year, $23 million deal after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Engram's production cratered in 2024 as he hit 30 years old and played in only nine games. He caught 47 passes for 365 yards and one touchdown, marking a new career low in yards per catch and his second-fewest yards per game.
That said, he's still good enough to be an upgrade on Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull. They totaled only 27 receptions for 340 yards in 2024.
Despite that, the former Oregon Ducks quarterback had an excellent rookie campaign. Nix defied most experts and doubters en route to an efficient season and playoff appearance.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton will deploy Engram in a way that will make him Nix's "best friend", per former Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey.
“They’re going to use him as a big receiver in the passing game, and he can sometimes be a quarterback’s best friend,” McCaffrey said during a recent interview with RG.org's DJ Siddiqi. “Usually, the tight ends run routes that are a little closer to the quarterback over the middle of the field, easy targets for the QB. If he gets pressure, they need a guy that can win in one-on-one situations at that tight end position. So that was a big pickup.”
McCaffrey thought the Broncos could've added a receiver earlier than the third-round, but he sees Engram as a formidable Joker tight end.
“Having two elite wide receivers on either side of the quarterback really helps open things up,” McCaffrey said. “But Evan Engram will help do the same thing.”
We'd love to see Nix take another step and help former Ducks receiver Troy Franklin find his footing more in 2025. Nix had some success utilizing 2025 second-round pick Terrance Ferguson in 2023, but the tight end position has never been a primary focus for Nix.
