Broncos NFL draft preview: Picks, team needs, and best fits for each day of the NFL Draft

NFL draft date and times

TV: ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes, NFL Network, NFL+

Round 1: Thursday, 6 p.m. MT

Rounds 2-3: Friday, 5 p.m. MT

Rounds 4-7: Saturday, 10 a.m. MT

Broncos draft picks

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Draft needs

Running back: Duh. You’ve heard about this here for about two months straight. But let’s take stock, beyond the flurry of discourse around which back Denver should take and when: The Broncos’ running back room, at the moment, returns just 902 yards from a group that was already among the most mediocre in the league in 2024. Javonte Williams is gone to the Cowboys, meaning at least 200 touches are available, and Denver didn’t get a back in free agency. The question: Do they want a three-down bell-cow, or a complement to a room returning Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin? Both options will be available to Denver in a deep class.

Wide receiver: At every turn, head coach Sean Payton has praised the development of a young receiver corps. But he also made clear at last Thursday’s pre-draft presser that the Broncos would “add numbers” at WR before training camp, whether via the draft or free agency. Here’s betting it’s the draft. Denver’s done diligence on receivers at virtually every draft slot, whether it be first-round options or late-round sleepers. Perhaps the Broncos, too, could look for insurance for veteran Courtland Sutton, who’s on the final year of his deal.

Tight end: Let’s just check off all the skill positions here, since Denver has their franchise quarterback in Bo Nix and is now tasked with surrounding him with as much help as possible. The Broncos signed Evan Engram in free agency to be Sean Payton’s “Joker” matchup-problem, but general manager George Paton also remarked at the annual owner’s meetings that he didn’t think the search was “ever over” for a Joker-type. Engram is a unique tight end, and Denver could use a complement who’s skilled as both a blocker and receiver. Time for Joker Two, maybe. But not Joker: Folie a Deux. Do not see that movie.

Defensive line/edge: The Broncos return virtually every important piece from a dominant front that led the NFL in sacks in 2024, so this isn’t as much a short-term need as a long-term vision. Paton and Payton will have some tough decisions to make soon on virtually this entire group, as Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, Malcom Roach, Nik Bonitto and Dondrea Tillman are all due for contract extensions. There’s no possible way they re-up with all, and this draft is loaded with solid, B+ type prospects on both the interior and edge.

Offensive line: Same situation as the Broncos’ defensive line. Denver’s had incredible continuity on its front for a couple of years, and virtually their entire starting and depth units will return this fall. This could be the last stand for this exact group as we know it, though. Guard Ben Powers has a contract out for 2025, right tackle Mike McGlinchey has an out for 2026, and stalwart left tackle Garett Bolles is getting up there at 33 years old. It’s not a massive priority, but Denver would be wise to stock a couple of depth pieces for contingency.

Potential Day One targets

RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State: Consensus second-ranked RB Omarion Hampton might well be on the board here, but a majority of the Broncos’ fanbase has already talked itself into Henderson because he just…makes sense for Sean Payton. Shifty in space? Check. Outside threat? Check. Stupid athleticism? Check. Pass-catching upside? Check. Pass-blocking upside? Check. Thrives in a committee? Check. If he’s Payton’s guy and the Broncos have a high enough grade on him, they’ll swing at No. 20.

TE Colston Loveland, Michigan: Some folks have Loveland even higher on their board than likely top-12 pick Tyler Warren. But if he’s around at No. 20, Loveland might make the Broncos think. He’s a 6-foot-6 matchup problem who plays like a receiver. Having two of those guys in Loveland and Engram would be a nightmare. Only question with Loveland: Is he solid enough as a blocker to play him consistently next to Engram?

DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss: There’s enough top-heavy defensive-line talent and mid-round skill-position talent that the Broncos could opt for an interior body on Day 1 and then fill out weaponry around Bo Nix in later rounds. If they choose that route, Nolen’s a great fit at No. 20. He’s got NFL-ready size, proven production on the interior with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, and was one of 20 prospects The Denver Post confirmed had an in-house visit with the Broncos.

Possible Day Two targets

RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee: Let’s say the Broncos don’t take a first-round back. Sampson might be their next-best option. He’s got well-praised vision, with the ability to bounce outside or work between the tackles, and profiles fairly ready to step into legitimate NFL snaps. The size (5-foot-8, 200 pounds) is the only question.

WR Luther Burden, Missouri: If Burden falls, don’t rule out Payton making a move up from No. 51 to nab him. He’s got 4.41 speed, is a natural playmaker and would be a neat fit in the Broncos’ receiver room.

TE Mason Taylor, LSU: Another potential trade-up candidate, or a prospect who could fall right into Payton’s lap at 51. The 6-foot-5 Taylor carries one of the best combinations of blocking and receiving upside among all tight ends in this draft, and would be a natural candidate to eat up snaps next to Engram.

Possible Day Three/UDFA targets

TE Gunnar Helm, Texas: Like Taylor, Helm has one of the best combinations of blocking and pass-catching among any tight end in this draft, and he can be had for a mere third or fourth-round pick. He spent three years primarily as a blocker at Texas before breaking out as a pass-catcher in 2024 with 786 yards. Plus, he’s a local product and Cherry Creek High alumnus.

S Kitan Crawford, Nevada: Denver could use a piece or two in their secondary, and there’s a lot of ties to Crawford after the Broncos brought him in on an in-house visit. Crawford could slide with just one year of proven college production under his belt, but he’s one of the more athletic safeties in the draft, running a 4.41-second 40-yard dash with a 41.5-inch vertical at the NFL combine.

WR Hal Presley, Baylor: Presley might be a preferred free-agent target, but the Broncos have done plenty of homework on him. The stats hardly stand out, at 31 catches for 429 yards in 2024, but the 6-foot-3 Presley is an active blocker who could latch on in Payton’s system.

What will Broncos do at pick No. 20? The Post’s staff predictions

Luca Evans, Broncos reporter: Denver will swing big, set the world on fire and…draft a defensive lineman. No, this isn’t particularly sexy. Maybe it’s Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen, or Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, or Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, but the Broncos can reasonably wait until the second, third and fourth rounds to add an impact-level back and tight end and grab some top-tier contingency for their defensive line in the meantime.

Parker Gabriel, Broncos reporter: There are several players and positions that make sense here, but here’s the thought that wins out in my mind: Listen to Payton and Paton talk about what they’re looking for at running back. Then watch Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson. Glove-like fit. Really good player. Position of need. Weapon Payton knows exactly how to use. Nice pair to Audric Estime. It all works.

Troy Renck, columnist: Sean Payton doesn’t do boring. Or timid. He knows how close the Broncos are to becoming a bona fide threat in the AFC. After focusing primarily on defense in free agency, Payton will beef up around Bo Nix. The pick is in, and it’s North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.

Sean Keeler, columnist: The Broncos needed a franchise QB last year, and didn’t mess around. Now they need to land their franchise QB a three-down hammer he can hand off to. Assuming the money tight ends are long gone, that means it’s either TreVeyon Henderson or Omarion Hampton at tailback, and away we go. If not? Buckle up, buttercup.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: This draft is loaded with talented running backs and tight ends. So why splurge in the first round when the bargain bin will be filled with value on Day 2 or 3? Smart teams go after talent in the first round — regardless of need. Payton and Paton will do the same thing here when South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori falls into their laps.

Broncos’ 2024 picks under Sean Payton

Broncos’ 2023 picks under Sean Payton

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