The Broncos hosted Texas tight end Gunnar Helm for a pre-draft visit.
According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos hosted Texas tight end Gunnar Helm for a pre-draft visit. This meeting did not count as a top-30 as Helm prepped at Cherry Creek High School so this visit counts as a local visit. This is the second time the Broncos have met with Helm, as they had a formal interview with him at the Combine.
Broncos host Gunnar Helm for visit after NFL Combine | https://t.co/hx2N6FDsWd https://t.co/PtNP5jL27Q
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) March 23, 2025
Helm is a 6’5”, 241-pound tight end and is viewed as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler as Helm graded as his 64th overall prospect in the draft and ranks him as his fifth best tight end in the draft.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares Helm to Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and calls Helm a tight end with good size and soft hands.
A combination tight end with good size and soft hands, Helm developed rapidly in the high-scoring Texas offense. He is a capable route runner who can be used on all three levels but was allowed free releases and frequent open looks that he won’t see as a pro. His size, hands and feel for space make him a quarterback-friendly target capable of moving the sticks at opportune times. He’ll need to thicken his lowers and improve his hand usage to handle in-line blocking chores in the NFL. Helm projects as a future TE2 with three-down potential.
The Broncos did sign veteran tight end Evan Engram to a two-year deal in free agency, but could still use another premium pick on the position in the draft. Engram is a 30+ year old tight end coming off shoulder surgery so having some depth and developmental rookie behind him would make sense. Also, the Broncos desperately need some pass-catching help at the tight end position so adding another weapon would also make sense and make life easier for quarterback Bo Nix.
Helm is a solid all-around tight end who would give Sean Payton and the Broncos offense another big target to utilize in the middle of the field. He is a reliable pass-catcher and has the potential to blossom into a full-time starter in the future.
He is one of a few tight ends the Broncos could target on day two of the draft. Right now, I believe he is a third-round pick and will go after the likes of Mason Taylor and Elijah Arroyo but could be in play for the Broncos in the third round.