The Denver Broncos landed a running back and offensive lineman early on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, and then traded up into the fifth round to take NC State tight end Justin Joly.
Denver Broncos draft NC State TE Justin Joly with 152nd overall pick
The Denver Broncos have added to their tight end position, selecting NC State’s Justin Joly in a trade up with the Cleveland Browns to get to the 152nd pick.
Joly spent the last two seasons at NC State after previously playing two years at UConn. At 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, Joly can play in-line and offset as a move-around piece inside of Sean Payton’s offense.
Last season at NC State, Joly had 49 catches for 489 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2024, he had 43 catches for 661 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 15.3 yards per catch.
He’ll mix into the tight end room that features Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull, and Caleb Lohner, and could be in a position to play immediate special teams snaps and maybe factor into a rotational role.
Engram is entering the final year of his contract with the Broncos, while Adkins and Krull were re-signed to one-year deals this offseason which doesn’t necessarily guarantee their roster status beyond the preseason. Joly will come in and compete for a rotational role right away.
Going from UConn in 2023 to NC State in 2024, Joly put on 20 pounds of muscle, which helped him become a well-rounded tight end prospect who can play and line up in different spots, but more importantly, as an in-line guy.
The Broncos met with him on a Top-30 visit a few weeks ago and had him in the building.
Joly spoke with us shortly after being drafted and indicated that he’s ready to do anything they need him to or play wherever they best envision him.
“Honestly, whatever they need me to do is what I’m looking forward to,” Joly said. “They just said I’ve got to go out there and ball and play all over the field. I’m going to learn from the big guys and older guys, and just look forward to being there and being there with the team. Coach Payton and George Paton both believe in me. I’m looking forward to it.”
Joly had 20+ people in his house surrounding him when he was selected. He indicated the Broncos believe that he’s a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ and can do a lot of things as an in-line blocker, in the slot, and in the backfield.