The Denver Broncos signed tight end Evan Engram during NFL free agency and he appears to fit the description of the "Joker" position coach Sean Payton has talked about this offseason.
Not everyone is convinced Payton will stop at adding Engram, though, as more tight ends and/or running backs who fit the "Joker" role could be on the way. Speaking at the NFL combine last month (before the team signed Engram), Payton was asked if he was confident the team could find a "Joker" in the NFL draft.
“When you pick [at] 20, it’s not as easy to say, ‘We’re going to find that,’" Payton said on Feb. 25. "That player can be a running back or tight end. Yet, it’s just something that we are mindful of as we look at both the draft and free agency.
"I use that term for when you have one of those guys who are matchup challenges inside, it really helps you [in] third down and [in the] red zone. There are ways defensively you can handle the outside receivers and force the ball inside. That is something we will look closely at.”
Engram might have already filled that role -- perhaps Payton will provide some insight on that during the NFL owners next week -- but we can't rule out the possibility of a tight end or running back being in play at pick No. 20. Engram will turn 31 this season and he's playing on a two-year deal. It wouldn't be shocking to see Payton also bring in a long-term option.
"They’re just mismatch guys," Payton said when asked about 'Joker' traits. "They’re hard to find. Whether it’s a receiver, whether it’s a tight end, runner or guys that can just stress the defense in so many different ways, and you can’t single cover them.
"So there’s just not many of those guys in the league. Really there aren’t. You can count them on one hand with how many there are. So it’s unique. We’re always searching, and we’ll find one certainly at some point.”
The 2025 NFL draft will be held in Wisconsin from April 24-26. Denver holds seven picks.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Is Sean Payton looking for another Joker?
