Risk Flags
5- Draft Capital
Selected 256th overall (7th round, 2026 NFL Draft), reflecting rock-bottom organizational investment. The Broncos specifically traded up in the 5th round for Justin Joly, signaling Joly — not Bentley — is Denver's actual TE developmental priority.
- Target Competition
Bentley enters a six-deep TE room: Evan Engram (starter), Adam Trautman (3-year deal), Lucas Krull (re-signed), Nate Adkins (re-signed), Justin Joly (5th round), and Bentley last. There is no realistic path to meaningful targets even if he survives initial cuts.
- Roster Security
Multiple reports explicitly note Bentley is 'on thin ice' following Denver's trade-up for Joly. He faces a very real August cut risk, making the practice squad his most plausible best-case landing spot.
- Age Concerns
At 25 entering his NFL rookie season — after an LDS mission, walk-on at Snow College, and one breakout college year at Utah — his developmental runway is materially shorter than a typical TE prospect who usually needs 2-3 years before contributing.
- Usage & Volume
Drafted primarily as a 'Y' inline blocker to complement Joly, the projected receiver. That archetype caps target share and fantasy relevance even if he makes the roster.