Can Nate Adkins earn a spot in a crowded Broncos' tight end room?

The tight end race in Denver in 2026 spotlights Nate Adkins as the Broncos consider whether he can secure another roster spot in a crowded position group. Last season, Denver’s tight end production disappointed overall, and high-profile free-agent signing Evan Engram did not match the offseason expectations. The team retained nearly the entire room from 2025 for competition, and Adkins enters his fourth NFL season after arriving as an undrafted free agent in 2023. A former East Tennessee State standout, Adkins earned a place on the final 53-man roster through positional versatility, blocking, and special teams. In 2025, he played 9 games with 6 starts, totaling 6 catches for 48 yards and one touchdown, while missing nearly half the season due to a knee injury. With Adam Trautman extended and the Broncos adding Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley in April’s 2026 draft, plus Lucas Krull and Caleb Lohner, the question is whether Adkins can outperform younger challengers in camp.