Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton made their needs clear heading into the offseason, and specifically the 2026 draft. Payton cited the linebacker and running back spots, noting how their own free agents impact their decision-making on other positions, such as tight end.
Revelations about the Broncos’ interests in the linebacker and defensive tackle positions emerged on Wednesday.
Their tight end plans were again back in the spotlight by the end of the night.
Broncos Fans Urged to Monitor Georgia Bulldogs TE
GettyOscar Delp #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates winning the CFP National Championship.
The Broncos hold the 30th overall pick in the draft, making it even more difficult to project who they might target to bolster their roster. KOA’s Benjamin Allbright suggested that most are not looking in the proper direction. Allbright said attention should be on Georgia’s Oscar Delp.
“I think Broncos fans might be looking at the wrong TEs in the draft,” Allbright posted on X on February 25.
“Take a look at Delp when you get a chance.”
Delp is ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s fifth-ranked fullback/H-back prospect, which could make him a replacement for Broncos free agent Nate Adkins more so than Adam Trautman or Evan Engram, the latter of whom is the only one of the three under contract for 2026.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein offered an outlook that baked in a more expanded role for Delp. Delp won a national championship with the Bulldogs as a freshman in 2022.
He finished his college career with 70 receptions, 854 yards, and 9 touchdowns.
“Delp is a fluid athlete with the forward lean, short-area quickness and pure speed to beat linebackers on intermediate routes,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile. “His soft hands and smooth catch skills show up on the move, though his short arms and inconsistent finish through contact limit his reliability.
“Has enough toughness and technique to help in the run game as he improves his strength. Delp projects as a Day 3 prospect with three-down potential and untapped upside as a pass catcher.”
The Broncos have five picks on Day 3. They have two selections in Rounds 4 and 7, one more in the fifth round. They do not own a pick in the sixth round as of February 26.
Delp has caught the attention of Broncos country before the draft.
Oscar Delp Drawing Attention Before Draft
GettyOscar Delp #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts against the Auburn Tigers.
“Let’s Talk Broncos” host Carter Dillon called Delp a “player that intrigues” him for Denver. They signed Engram in 2025 to solve their tight end issues. They still need a more traditional option and an infusion of youth at the position heading into the 2026 offseason.
“Really evident vertical speed and athleticism, but the blocking still has plenty of room for improvement,” Dillon posted on X on February 25. “I think Delp will be a player who puts on some weight once he gets to the NFL and if he can do so while keeping that speed and smoothness I really like his projection in the NFL.”
The Broncos still roster 2025 seventh-round draft pick and former college basketball (and football) player Caleb Lohner. He is the only other TE under contract for the Broncos in 2026.
Delp might not be the Broncos’ first option, but he makes sense as a later-round draft target.
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