Should the Broncos sign TE Juwan Johnson in free agency?

Could the former Saints tight end be the answer to the Broncos tight end woes?

One of the Broncos’ more glaring weaknesses on the offensive side of the ball is at tight end. Veteran Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins have turned into a good running-blocking duo but they lack a true receiving threat from this position. Former third-round pick Greg Dulcich was supposed to be that guy after he finally appeared to shake the injury bug. Unfortunately, after being unproductive the first few weeks of the season he would become a weekly healthy scratch before being eventually waived by the team. Lucas Krull had some offseason hype but he barely made an impact this past season. So, the Broncos need to find a receiving threat at tight end or as Sean Payton puts it, his “Joker”.

One name on the free agent market that could interest the Broncos is Saints tight end Juwan Johnson. We know Sean Payton likes to add former Saints to the Broncos and Johnson could be the next player to make that jump. He was an undrafted free agent for the Saints back in 2020 and showed some promise during his time with Payton. In the two seasons he played under Sean Payton, Johnson totaled 17 receptions for a little under 200 yards and 4 touchdown receptions. After Payton left, Johnson really broke out as he would go on to have 42 receptions for 508 yards and 7 touchdowns. Throughout his career, Johnson has 146 receptions for 1,622 yards and 18 touchdown receptions. This past year for the Saints, he was a productive member of their passing game. He would go on to have 50 receptions for 548 yards which were both career highs and 3 touchdown receptions.

Now, the 28-year-old tight end is expected to hit the free-agent market and be one of the top tight ends available. Could the Broncos reunite Payton with his former tight end from the Saints?

Player Profile

Name: Juwan Johnson

Position: Tight End

Age: 28 years old

Experience: 6th season

Height: 6-4

Weight: 231 pounds

Why the Broncos should sign tight end Juwan Johnson?

The Broncos desperately need a receiving threat at tight end and Johnson would give them that. He is not an elite option but he is much better than what they have had in the past and would give second-year quarterback Bo Nix a big and athletic receiving threat in the middle of the offense.

The fit also makes sense too. Johnson was signed as an undrafted free agent by Sean Payton, he knows the offense, and Payton clearly has a vision for him. Sure, his best years came post-Payton in New Orleans but the fit and connection are still there. So, it would make sense that there could be some mutual interest here.

This would also allow the Broncos to draft a tight end and allow them to develop. Most rookie tight ends are not day one ready to come in and be the ‘Joker’ in Sean Payton’s offense. Barring the team somehow landing Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, that will be the case for whoever they draft. Having a reliable veteran in place would give the rookie time to develop, time to learn the offense, and the Broncos a safety net if there are some early struggles there.

Why the Broncos should not sign tight end Juwan Johnson?

I don’t really have a reason why they should not sign Johnson if I am being honest with you. He checks a lot of boxes for what the Broncos need, the fit and connection are there and he should cost too much money. If there were to be a snag, it could be on the money side. This will be Johnson’s one and only chance to get a payday. If the Broncos are outbid by another team, I could see him going elsewhere.

The other reason would be that maybe there isn’t any mutual interest there. Johnson had his best seasons without Payton so it is possible the connection there is not as strong as we may think. The Broncos could also decide to go the draft route here. It’s a strong tight-end class and they could double up on the position in the draft and move forward that way.

Final Thoughts

Johnson is a receiving tight end, a former Saints player who played under Sean Payton and his coaching staff, and a free agent. It just makes sense that he will end up on the Broncos. Again, he is not an elite receiving threat, but he would certainly be an upgrade and give the team some flexibility come draft day.

With Johnson on the team, they will not NEED to trade up for Tyler Warren or take Colston Loveland at 20. This draft is pretty loaded at tight end and they could decide to find their guy in rounds two through four instead of being aggressive for one of the top guys. They have needs at running back, defensive line, linebacker, safety, and wide receiver so having flexibility is key.