The Denver Broncos just pulled off one of the most aggressive moves ever! They drafted Caleb Lohner as their first of three seventh-round picks, taking him at No. 241 overall in April’s NFL Draft. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds of chiseled athletic frame, Lohner looks the part. He comes from a unique background having mostly played college basketball prior to his position switch to football. His selection is indicative of the Broncos’ faith in his raw athletic talent and ability to play multiple positions on the field.
Lohner’s journey to the NFL has not been that of a typical player. He played only one season of college football for the University of Utah in 2024, where he made a notable impact despite limited experience. In that one season, he logged just four catches on nine targets, but all four of those receptions went for touchdowns. This amazing efficiency allured NFL scouts and eventually the Broncos’ coaching staff.
Before he ventured into football, Lohner enjoyed a successful basketball career at three different colleges: Brigham Young University (BYU), Baylor University, and the University of Utah. He only played a total of 153 college basketball games on the hardwood, but his legacy was larger than life. A shooter with a field goal percentage of .663, he set a school record and led his teams to two Big Sky Conference championships.
Though Lohner wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, he didn’t let that limited exposure hold him back. At the Big 12 conference’s pro day, he wowed scouts with a 4.69-second 40-yard dash and an eye-popping 37-inch vertical leap. Like many teams, the Broncos were enchanted by his elite combination of athleticism and physicality. His combination of size and agility makes him an extremely effective weapon on red zone plays, creating difficult mismatches and opportunities against defenders.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Broncos flew Lohner out to their facility. He was one of only 30 prospects they hosted. In an early show of confidence in Lohner’s potential, Coach Sean Payton indicated during a press conference that he saw “big athletic upside” in the young player. Payton pointed out how wonderful Lohner’s skills were, despite his lack of playing time in football. Stratton thinks Lohner should be looked at closely for the squad.
“You’re looking at a small amount of playing time and yet enough to where you’re watching them,” – Sean Payton
Lohner’s road to the NFL has by no means been easy. He played college football as a walk-on—having never played organized football since middle school. Like last year, when Mangum got on the field and played 57 snaps with Utah. This deficiency of experience has not dampened his enthusiasm for the sport.
“I know I don’t have a ton of football under my belt, but that’s exactly why I’m playing the game, because I’ve developed a passion and love,” – Caleb Lohner
For the latter part of last season, the Broncos’ tight end position struggled to cultivate any kind of positive outcome. Despite that, Krull led the tight ends in receptions – 19. So they brought in Lohner to fortify in this area. They think his natural ability will allow him to develop into an important player. Returning veteran Evan Engram will be on hand to smooth Lohner’s transition to life in the NFL. Lohner has only signed a two-year deal with Denver in free agency.
Lohner knows he has a long, steep learning curve to climb, is eager to get to work and make a difference.
“I just wanted an opportunity, and I genuinely believe that wherever I am … I’m going to do everything I can to help win,” – Caleb Lohner
As Lohner looks to establish himself at the pro ranks, he’s very excited to be joining the Broncos. Coach Payton’s frequent reference to “vision” when discussing players’ skills suggests that he sees great potential in Lohner’s ability to adapt and excel in this new role.
“If it turns out like the last one did, then we’d be really excited,” – Sean Payton
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