Denver Broncos select tight end in 5th round of NFL draft

The Denver Broncos selected North Carolina State tight end Justin Joly with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft on Saturday afternoon.

Joly (6-3, 241 pounds) was a four-year star at Connecticut (2022-23) and North Carolina State (2024-25). In 49 career games with the Huskies and Wolfpack, Joly caught 166 passes for 1,978 yards and 15 touchdowns. Joly led the Huskies in receptions in 2023 (58 catches) and yards (578 yards).

2025 was a great year for Joly, as he was named first-team All-ACC, also leading the Wolfpack in receptions (49). Joly's hands were on full display, as he only dropped one pass in 50 catchable passes last season.

Joly's hands will be crucial for the Broncos in 2026; the team as a whole struggled with drops in crucial moments. Quarterback Bo Nix gets yet another weapon to use in a critical 2026 season.

Social: Follow  Broncos Wire  on  Facebook  and  Twitter/X !  Did you know:  These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans .

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos draft results: TE Justin Joly selected in 5th round