This year’s tight end draft class was not a weak one.
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, taken by the Jets with the 13th pick, was the star of the class. Then, four tight ends went in the second round, including Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Ohio State’s Max Klare. However, one under-the-radar rookie could turn out to be the best of the bunch.
In the fifth round, with the 152nd pick in the draft, the Denver Broncos selected N.C. State’s Justin Joly. Few thought much of the pick given how late it was. Joly, though, will have the chance to prove everybody wrong.
Joly’s College Production Speaks for Itself
Not everything translates from college football to the pros. However, production is often a safe bet.
In 2024, Joly finished top ten in the nation in yards among tight ends. Some of the names ahead of him included Harold Fannin, Tyler Warren, Oronde Gadsden II, and Gunnar Helm, who are all NFL starters entering their second seasons. Despite experiencing a dip in yardage last year, Joly finished second in receiving touchdowns behind only Sadiq.
Clearly, Joly has the goods, regardless of when he was drafted. In fact, draft order seldom matters for tight ends. San Francisco’s George Kittle was drafted in the fifth round. Meanwhile, other top players at the position like Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, Baltimore’s Mark Andrews, and Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft didn’t go until the third round.
Denver Gives Joly a Better Path to Production Than Any Other Rookie TE
Admittedly, production and draft positioning do play a role in separating the booms from the busts. However, there are two factors that are more important: situation and opportunity.
For instance, Sadiq was the highest drafted tight end and will be the clear starter for them. However, he will have Geno Smith throwing him the ball behind a mediocre offensive line. Additionally, the Jets’ defense may struggle to get the offense the ball back, especially considering they recorded zero interceptions last season. Given his situation, it might be harder for Sadiq to break out.
Joly, however, will receive plenty of opportunities.
The Broncos have arguably the best defense and best offensive line in the NFL right now. The defense will consistently get the offense extra possessions. Meanwhile, their offensive line will be ensuring that Bo Nix has all the time in the world to throw.
Even better for Joly, head coach Sean Payton heavily features his tight ends. In 2024, three different tight ends finished with over 100 receiving yards. That usage pattern sets up Joly’s opportunity perfectly.
Last year, Denver brought in Evan Engram to be their high-octane receiving tight end. Engram, though, did not live up to the hype, posting only 461 yards. The Broncos use their other tight ends, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins, mostly for blocking purposes. Joly will get his chances in the receiving game. The only question is whether he can make the most of them.
If the answer to that question is yes, then there is no reason that Joly cannot have as great a season as any other tight end in this class.
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