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Broncos player in danger of losing starting job to rookie after 2026 NFL Draft
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- Broncos player in danger of losing starting job to rookie after 2026 NFL Draft
Broncos player in danger of losing starting job to rookie after 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Denver Broncos didn't make their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft until the third round. They were without a first-round pick because of the Jaylen Waddle trade , and they traded out of round two. The lack of elite draft capital resulted in critics viewing their rookie class as pretty mediocre. That doesn't mean there aren't future contributors, though, or even players who can make a big impact right away.
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Considering the Broncos are in win-now mode, they need players who will not only have roles right away but also push the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart, too. So, which Broncos starter will be looking over his shoulder with a rookie gunning for his position?
Justin Joly is a sleeper pick to start for the Broncos
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The "Joker" position is often referred to when talking about Sean Payton-led offenses. The coach of the Broncos likes a versatile weapon with impressive athletic abilities who can make a big impact in the passing game. This joker has often played the tight end position in the past, and Evan Engram was signed ahead of last season to take on that role.
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However, Engram had a somewhat disappointing first year in Denver. He got off to a slow start and only finished the year with 50 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown. The Broncos prioritized adding even more juice to the offense this offseason. The trade of Waddle gives the team two top receiving options, as the ex-Miami Dolphins will now pair with Courtland Sutton . The team also re-signed JK Dobbins and drafted another rookie running back, but more on him later.
One name they added who isn't getting commonly talked about is Justin Joly, the Broncos' fifth-round pick. The NC State product is in a prime position to be Payton's Joker, and the door is open for him to find a role right away because of Engram's underperformance last season.
Joly was expected by many to go much earlier than round five. He can line up in-line or in the slot to be a weapon in the passing game. Joly had 166 catches for 1,978 yards and 15 touchdowns over four seasons split between UConn and NC State. The tight end has reliable hands, and he should be able to produce all over the field. He can make plays in between the hashes or as a deep threat, and if Engram continues to regress, Joly could end up as a starter sooner rather than later.
Jonah Coleman might not start right away, but he will contribute
Joly isn't the only mid-round pick who can turn heads for the Broncos this year. Jonah Coleman, the Broncos' fourth-round pick, was ranked as one of the best sleeper prospects ahead of the draft. The Washington running back was a career 5.5 yards-per-attempt runner who surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards in three straight seasons.
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He can run inside or outside of the tackles, and he should make a big impact in the passing game. His excitement for pass blocking , in particular, could lead to reps right away. Now, it is overzealous to predict Coleman as a starter right away. As mentioned above, Dobbins was brought back into the fold, and RJ Harvey was drafted in round two just last year.
Dobbins has always played high-level football when healthy, and injury issues have been the only thing that have held him back. Harvey had an up-and-down rookie season, but he scored 12 total touchdowns and showed flashes of elite explosiveness. Rarely do three running backs contribute big roles to an offense, but that just may end up being the case for the Broncos' offense.
In the long-term, Coleman will complement Harvey's skill set nicely. In the short-term, the Broncos needed an insurance plan for the often-injured Dobbins. Even if Joly or Coleman don't start as rookies, it is evident that the Broncos' offense is loaded with talent this upcoming season.
