One of the most intriguing picks of the Denver Broncos’ 2025 NFL Draft class is tight end Caleb Lohner, a seventh-round selection with a unique athletic profile. A former basketball player at Utah, Lohner stands at 6-foot-8 and 256 pounds, and posted an impressive 8.83 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), underscoring his rare physical gifts.
It turns out Denver wasn’t the only team eyeing Lohner. Multiple franchises had him on their radar, but it was the Indianapolis Colts who reportedly came closest to landing him. The Colts had even reached a verbal agreement with Lohner to sign as an undrafted free agent—until the Broncos intervened. Still holding a pick in the seventh round, Denver used it to ensure Lohner wouldn’t slip through their fingers.
That late-round gamble could prove savvy. With his combination of size, athleticism, and upside, Lohner has the tools to develop into a dangerous mismatch weapon in the passing game, especially under a coaching staff that’s shown a willingness to mold unconventional talents.
Broncos steal Caleb Lohner after catching wind of Colts interest
Caleb Lohner’s entry into the NFL is already a storyline worth watching, and the way it unfolded only adds to the intrigue. The final rounds of the NFL Draft are always chaotic, as teams scramble not only to use their remaining picks wisely but also to secure priority undrafted free agents (UDFAs). It’s why news of UDFA signings often breaks while front offices are still at the podium post-draft—timing and discretion become everything.
That’s where the Broncos played it smart. Aware that the Indianapolis Colts had reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Lohner to sign him as a UDFA, Denver made the proactive move to draft him in the seventh round rather than risk losing him or entering a bidding war. It was a calculated decision that could pay off.
Now, all eyes will be on Lohner during Broncos OTAs, where his blend of size, athleticism, and basketball background could give him a legitimate shot at cracking the 53-man roster. The tight end room is hardly settled—Denver added Evan Engram in free agency, but given his injury history and the limited production from returning players like Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, the door is wide open for a newcomer to make an impression.
If Lohner flashes as a receiving threat or even shows growth as a red-zone mismatch, he could quickly rise from seventh-round flyer to roster steal. Ironically, it may be the Colts who inadvertently tipped Denver off just in time to make sure he never hit the open market.
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