There are three top free agent tight ends the Denver Broncos could target this offseason.

Juwan Johnson, the former Saints tight end who played under Sean Payton, is certainly one. Zach Ertz and Mike Gesicki are two others who could have an immediate impact on the Broncos in 2025.

It’s unclear if Denver is targeting a tight end in the draft, but if they want to save their picks for other positions, there are a few veteran options available.

Three free agent tight ends the Denver Broncos could target

One clear void in the Broncos offense is a playmaking tight end.

Bo Nix needs someone he can lean on who can be a valuable target in the middle of the field as well as in the red zone.

Sure, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins were fine fill-ins at the position. They combined for 303 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2024. But the Broncos need a more dynamic player at the position.

At the halfway point of the season, I suggested the Broncos trade for Juwan Johnson or Foster Moreau, the Saints tight ends. Both clearly have connections to Payton and know how to play in his offense.

Now, Johnson is likely to become a free agent and could simply be added during free agency.

Johnson is 28 years old and heading into his sixth season, and just came off his second-best year in the NFL. He finished with career-highs in receptions (50) and yards (548) and 3 touchdowns, all while playing with three different quarterbacks.

One stat that stands out is Johnson had eight 20-plus yard receptions, or explosive plays. Denver only had three such plays from tight ends last year. Over The Cap projects him making $6.8 million in 2025, a cap-friendly number that would fit in Denver.

FOX Sports ranks him as their highest free agent tight end, and even predicts he could come to Denver to reunite with Payton.

If not Johnson, Ertz and Gesicki are options in free agency

Zach Ertz and Mike Gesicki are other free agent tight ends the Denver Broncos could target this offseason.

Ertz, 34, is the oldest player on this list. But he did enjoy a career resurgence in Washington last year with Jayden Daniels.

His receptions (66) and yards (654) were each the most since 2021, and his 7 touchdowns were his most since 2018. Ertz became an incredibly valuable red zone target in the second half of the season for Washington. He scored four times in the Commanders’ last five games of the season. Ertz also had seven 20-plus yard plays on the year.

And then there’s Gesicki, who may have the most upside on this list of free agent tight ends.

At 29 years old, he still has room to grow and enjoyed his own bounce back season in Cincinnati last year. He finished with 65 catches for 665 yards and 2 touchdowns, his best production since 2021. While Gesicki has the most yards on this list, he has the least explosive plays (5) and touchdowns of the three.

OTC predicts both Ertz and Gesicki should come in around $7.5M each. The Broncos have $34.7M in cap space, so each of these guys would fit, contract-wise. And much better than $20M cap hits for receivers like Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel.

If the Broncos don’t go after a free agent tight end, they could still find a starter in the NFL Draft with Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland. But Warren may not fall to them at No. 20.

One way or another, Denver has to upgrade at tight end. Even if that means signing Taysom Hill.