The Denver Broncos selected NC State TE Justin Joly in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Joly entered college as a two-star WR at 190 pounds. He committed to UConn, bulked up to 228, and played a WR/TE hybrid role. He led the team in receiving as a sophomore, finishing with a 56-578-2 line. A transfer to NC State expanded his role at a higher level. He added weight to reach 251 pounds and totaled 92-1,150-11 over two seasons with the Wolfpack. Among the 27 TEs invited to the NFL Combine, Joly ranked 14th in 2025 aDOT (7.6), and 10th in team market share of receiving yards (18.6%). He ranked ninth in 2025 receiving yards per team pass attempt (1.38) and seventh in receiving yards per route run (1.78). He is currently 21 years old.
Draft Sharks Rookie Guide: “Joly plays like a receiver and often aligns in the slot. He runs a diverse route tree and adds physicality after the catch. Blocking remains the concern. That limitation could reduce early snaps while he develops. If he earns a starting role, his receiving skill set gives him high-upside fantasy appeal.”
The Broncos certainly had a need at the TE position.
Evan Engram was a disappointment last season with Adam Trautman offering very little himself.
That leaves an opening for Joly.
As a Round 5 pick, Joly likely won’t have redraft value in his first season. But, he is a name worth keeping an eye on if space opens for Joly to earn some playing time.
Joly’s pass-catching prowess could allow him to have an Oronde Gadsden Jr. type impact with the opportunity. Essentially a slot WR who has grown as a blocker, Joly fits HC Sean Payton’s love for pass-catching TEs.
Joly could certainly hold long term fantasy value.
Engram is set to be a free agent after 2026. Trautman’s contract has an out after 2027.
If Joly proves he can play the classic “Joker” pass catching TE role for Payton, he could ascend to the starting TE spot in a year.
In a rookie draft littered with blocking first TEs, Joly’s receiving upside makes him worth a deep stash. In TE Premium leagues especially, he should be considered in the fourth round of rookie drafts.
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