Denver Broncos

Caleb Lohner

TE

Lohner was a seventh-round selection by the Broncos in the 2025 NFL Draft despite the fact that he played only one year of college football. The 6-foot-7 tight end spent much more time playing basketball and made the 2021 WCC All-Freshman Team in that sport, and Denver drafted him with the hope that his size and athleticism would eventually translate into the ability to be a productive NFL tight end. Payton lauded Lohner's growth and advanced learning curve during the team's recent rookie minicamp, adding that Lohner is in "great shape," per Rachel Vigil of AltitudeTV. Lohner spent all of his rookie campaign on the team's practice squad, and it's unlikely that he'll be a major factor for the Broncos during the upcoming season, but it sounds like Denver sees him as a potential piece of its future.

Michael Woods II

WR

Woods spent time on Green Bay's practice squad last season but was never elevated to the active roster. The 26-year-old last appeared in a regular-season game during the 2024 campaign with the Browns and will look to earn a spot on Denver's Week 1 roster.

Bo Nix

QB

Nix continues to progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a broken bone in his right ankle that he underwent in late January. The initial recovery timeline was 12 weeks, but the Broncos won't push the third-year quarterback too much during June's minicamp, with Jarrett Stidham expected to take the majority of snaps at that time, though Nix should be a full go for training camp.

Joseph Manjack IV

WR

Manjack finished third on TCU in receptions (44), yards (579) and touchdowns (three) through 13 games in his fifth collegiate season. He'll join fellow undrafted rookie wide receivers Dane Key, Kolbe Katsis and Cameron Ross. Five receivers have likely already locked up spots on the team, meaning Manjack is likely heading for the practice squad.

Pat Surtain II

CB

Surtain is now officially in the first year of the four-year, $96 million contract extension he signed with the Broncos back in September of 2024, so the pay bump is not a huge change. The incentive doesn't appear to be a difficult one for the cornerback to reach, as he's already made four straight Pro Bowls. If Denver is able to again field one of football's top defenses in 2026, Surtain will probably be one of the biggest reasons why.