Waiver claims hit, and the Denver Broncos saw two players they cut yesterday snatched up by the Miami Dolphins. That includes rookie tight end Justin Joly, a 5th-round pick everyone thought had serious pass-catching upside, and reserve slot corner Reese Taylor. It stings a bit to lose guys, but these are the tough calls teams make trying to build a winner.
Justin Joly’s Rocky Road Out of Denver
Man, Justin Joly’s journey with the Broncos was a wild ride, and ultimately, a short one. The kid was drafted in the 5th round this past April, seen as a legitimate pass-catching weapon for this season and beyond. But sometimes, potential just doesn’t translate fast enough. Joly struggled throughout camp, even started a scuffle, and was consistently running with the third-team offense during preseason games. Not exactly the start you want from a rookie with high hopes.
His one real shining moment came in the finale: an 88-yard touchdown catch from QB Sam Ehlinger, wide open. GM George Paton spilled the beans yesterday, acknowledging Joly’s talent but emphasizing how raw he was. Paton pointed out that Joly missed a big chunk of the offseason and fell behind the other tight ends, which is already a brutal position for rookies. The team ultimately decided to go with 7th-round rookie Dallen Bentley on the 53-man roster instead. Paton said, “Justin is a talented player. We knew it when we drafted him. We knew he was raw. We still like the player. He was coming on towards the end of training camp. Tight end position is a tough position for a rookie. He missed a lot of the offseason, just a little bit behind. We wish we had another game or two. We still like the player. We think he’s going to have a nice career. You just have to make tough decisions to build the best 53 you can make.” Sounds like Miami just snagged a project with serious upside.
Reese Taylor Heads East, Too
It wasn’t just Joly heading to South Beach. Reserve slot corner Reese Taylor also got claimed by the Dolphins. Taylor, an undrafted free agent, had been slot depth for Denver since 2023, bouncing on and off the roster. He was behind Ja’Quan McMillian and Jahdae Barron on the depth chart, so his path to playing time in Denver was blocked. The Broncos actually wanted to sign him back to their practice squad if he cleared waivers, but Miami swooped in. For Taylor, this could be a real opportunity for more snaps, something he wasn’t going to get with the Broncos.
It’s clear the Broncos are building something special, and when you become one of the league’s top teams, you expect other clubs to try and grab your talent. GM Paton mentioned they knew this might happen. It’s the cost of doing business when you’re making tough decisions to build the best 53-man roster possible. For Denver, these moves are all about fine-tuning that roster as the regular season kicks off. They wished these guys well, and now it’s full steam ahead for the Broncos.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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