Adam Trautman Bio
Adam Trautman (born February 5, 1997) is an American professional football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Dayton Flyers and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 260 pounds, Trautman has built his reputation as a dependable pass catcher and a strong run blocker.
After three seasons in New Orleans, Trautman was traded to Denver in 2023, where he quickly became a starter. He later signed a two-year contract extension with the Broncos in March 2024, securing his place with the franchise through the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Adam Trautman was born on February 5, 1997, in Williamsburg, Michigan. He grew up in the same small northern Michigan community and attended Elk Rapids High School, where he developed into a versatile multi-sport athlete. At Elk Rapids, he played both basketball and football and earned All-County honors in each sport.
As a senior, Trautman was named the Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year after setting every major school passing record. His success as a quarterback in high school gave him a strong foundation in reading defenses and understanding offensive schemes, skills that would later help him transition to a new role at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Trautman redshirted during his true freshman year at the University of Dayton after making the switch from quarterback to tight end. The position change allowed him to use his size and athleticism while keeping the football knowledge he had developed as a prep passer. As a redshirt freshman, he caught 24 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, showing early promise at his new spot.
Across his four seasons with the Dayton Flyers, Trautman steadily developed into one of the top tight ends in the Pioneer Football League (PFL). He earned second-team All-PFL recognition in both his sophomore and junior seasons before being named the PFL Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-PFL selection as a senior. He finished his collegiate career with 171 receptions for 2,295 yards and 31 touchdowns, and he also competed in the 2020 Senior Bowl.
Adam Trautman Career
New Orleans Saints Era (2020–2022)
Adam Trautman was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 105th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, becoming the first Dayton Flyers player to be selected since Bill Westbeld in 1977. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and recorded his first career reception a week later on Monday Night Football, a 17-yard catch from Drew Brees against the Las Vegas Raiders.
In Week 9 of his rookie year, Trautman caught his first professional touchdown in a 38–3 win over the Buccaneers. He finished 2020 with 15 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown, and Pro Football Focus rated him the best rookie tight end and the best run-blocking tight end in the league. He started 2021 as the Saints’ top tight end before a midseason injury, ending that year with 27 catches for 263 yards and two scores. In 2022, he recorded 18 receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown before being traded.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On April 29, 2023, Adam Trautman was traded from the New Orleans Saints, along with the 257th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the 195th pick. He immediately stepped into a starting role, playing all 17 games with 12 starts and finishing the season with 22 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns.
On March 13, 2024, Trautman signed a two-year contract extension with the Broncos, locking in his spot with the team through the 2025 season. His blocking and reliability have made him a steady contributor in Denver’s offense and a key part of the tight end rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although tight ends do not drive cars, Trautman’s on-field profile mirrors the qualities of a reliable workhorse. He combines reliable hands with above-average run blocking, and Pro Football Focus recognized him as the best run-blocking tight end in the NFL during his rookie season. His basketball and quarterback background gives him the body control and field awareness to work the middle of the field, while his size makes him a reliable target near the goal line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Trautman became the first Dayton Flyers player to appear in an NFL game in 45 years when he debuted in 2020, a memorable milestone for the small-college program. He also earned a humorous place in NFL lore during his rookie season when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could not find a photo of him and accidentally displayed a picture of Jared Goff on their scoring screen after his first touchdown.
Adam Trautman Career Wins
Although tight end statistics are measured in receptions and touchdowns rather than wins, Adam Trautman has contributed to team success at every level. At Dayton, he helped lead the Flyers’ passing attack to new heights, and in the NFL he has been part of multiple winning efforts, including the Saints’ dominant 38–3 victory over the Buccaneers in which he caught his first career touchdown.
Dayton Flyers Highlights
Trautman’s senior season at Dayton was his statistical peak, with 70 receptions for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him PFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. Across his career with the Flyers, he totaled 171 receptions for 2,295 yards and 31 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the most productive tight ends in program history.
Other Performances
Trautman earned second-team All-PFL honors in 2017 and 2018 before his first-team selection and Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019. He also represented Dayton at the 2020 Senior Bowl, a key showcase that helped boost his draft stock.
Adam Trautman Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Adam Trautman grew up in Williamsburg, Michigan, a small community in the northern part of the state. He attended Elk Rapids High School, where he was a standout in both basketball and football. Limited public information is available about his parents or extended family.
Personal Life
Trautman has kept much of his personal life private, and public details about a spouse or children have not been widely reported. He continues to reside in the United States during the NFL offseason.
2025 Season Performance
Adam Trautman enters the 2025 season under his two-year contract extension signed in March 2024, giving him job security with the Denver Broncos. After serving as Denver’s starting tight end throughout the 2023 campaign, he is expected to remain a key piece of the offensive rotation alongside the team’s other pass catchers.
His 2024 production will set the tone for how the Broncos deploy him in 2025, with the staff likely leaning on his run-blocking to support the ground game while using him as a safety valve in the passing attack. Health will also be a storyline, as a 2021 injured reserve stint showed how much the offense relies on his availability.
Heading into 2025, Trautman looks to build on his reputation as a dependable, all-around tight end. With his contract running through this season, strong play could position him for another long-term deal or an expanded role within Denver’s offense.