A familiar face is a standout player in Broncos rookie minicamp.

Remember Caleb Lohner? Denver drafted him in 2025 with a seventh-round pick. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound tight end appeared in just one college season at Utah as a former basketball player. Lohner developed over the last year on the Broncos practice squad.

He also participated in rookie minicamp this week at Broncos Park. On Saturday, following the team’s second practice, coach Sean Payton highlighted Lohner as a standout player.

“He looks entirely different in this camp,” Payton said. “Now, he was here in this camp a year ago as a draft pick, but he stood out.”

Lohner spoke with reporters at his locker room stall about his football development.

“Being in the system, being around the vets and seeing how things go has helped me a lot,” Lohner said. “Having a confidence and comfortability in how things operate. Not being crazy and confused with how the playbook is and stuff like that. I feel a lot more comfortable. I’m super grateful to be with an organization and coaches that believe in me.

“I’m excited to do what I can to help this team win.”

Payton said that Lohner has improved at “everything” ahead of his second season in the NFL.

“That learning curve and growth curve was greater for someone who had far less experience maybe than others,” Payton continued. “It’s entirely noticeable (improvement). He’s in great shape. You see his athleticism.”

The Broncos took a late-round flier on Lohner after he flashed over just 12 career games played at Utah. He caught four passes for 54 yards — with all of them being touchdowns. But it remained unclear if Lohner had the needed physicality to compete in the NFL as a former basketball player.

“It just takes getting used to, right? This has been such a great team to work on that,” Lohner said. “Because I think we have an exceptional defensive line and edge players. Just continuing to work on that. I think I’ve come a long way when it comes to physicality. But yeah, it’s a lot different.”

Lohner showcased his toughness in an unusual way last season. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph needed him to play scout team defense. Lohner didn’t flinch.

“He’d play an outside linebacker rushing our tackles … and he’s not afraid of the contact,” Payton said. “So, it’s been good to see him in Year 2. You knew there was going to be a developmental upside, but that was encouraging.”

Lohner chuckled back in the locker room.

“I had to help VJ a couple of times with certain personnel stuff or a couple of injuries,” Lohner said. “I had a good time doing it. It’s practice. But at the end of the day, I think I’m going to stick with tight end.”

There is stiff competition in 2026 for roster spots at his position. The Broncos drafted two tight ends in Justin Joly (fifth round) and Dallen Bentley (Utah). Denver also returns Evan Engram and Adam Trautman. But Lohner is shedding his reputation as simply a basketball player on the football field.

“You can’t say that anymore,” said Bentley, a former college teammate with Lohner at Utah (2024). “He’s definitely got his stuff down. He’s working really hard every single day.”

Lohner kept it simple when asked how he’s improved this offseason.

“Lots of training. Film work. Body work. Physical stuff. Mental stuff,” Lohner said. “All of the above.”