🏈 Broncos NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Mock Draft Picks, Best Prospect Fits, Team Needs & More
After coming within four points of a Super Bowl appearance following a 14-3 season, the Denver Broncos traded their first-round pick to Miami for Jaylen Waddle and won't be on the clock until No. 62 in Round 2 - a small price to pay for a team that's already built to win now around third-year quarterback Bo Nix.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Broncos' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Denver will draft with their first pick ahead of the first round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Broncos draft picks 2026
See where the Broncos rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No pick (traded to MIA for Jaylen Waddle) |
| 2 | No. 62 |
| 3 | No pick |
| 4 | No. 108, 111, 130 |
| 5 | No. 170 |
| 6 | No pick |
| 7 | No. 246, 256, 257 |
🆘 Broncos team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: DL, RB, TE, DB, EDGE
- Key additions: Jaylen Waddle (WR, via trade)
- Key departures: John Franklin-Myers (DL, Titans), Dre Greenlaw (LB, 49ers), P.J. Locke (S, Cowboys)
Denver doesn't have many glaring holes after a 14-3 season, and the Waddle trade gives Nix a legitimate top target opposite Courtland Sutton. The Broncos could use defensive help inside after losing Franklin-Myers, who was one of the more versatile linemen in the league. Vance Joseph's defense returns largely intact otherwise, but adding depth at safety and on the edge wouldn't hurt.
🏈 Broncos draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Broncos' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick:
| Pick type | No. 62 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | CJ Allen, LB, Georgia | 7.0 | With the Day 2 depth in this linebacker class, there's a chance that Allen could still be on the board at No. 62, and if he is, the Broncos have to pounce on a middle linebacker with the range and instincts to be a force against the run |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech | 7.0 | Denver needs to bolster its interior defensive line, and Hunter can make an immediate impact with his ability to occupy blocks and eat space, while still offering disruption against the run with his heavy hands and short-area quickness |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Caleb Banks, IDL, Florida | 7.0 | One of the hardest players in the class to gauge due to injury and inconsistent production, Banks has the size and athletic tools to be a scary interior pass rusher on this Broncos' defense |
More scouting reports & player profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Broncos mock draft consensus picks
I went through the latest mock drafts from other top experts across the industry and gathered their predictions for the Broncos' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Because Denver does not have a first-round pick, these projections come from the four expert mocks that extend into Round 2:
| Source | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Caleb Banks, DT, Florida |
| Chad Reuter (NFL.com) | Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame |
| Mike Renner (CBS) | Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | CJ Allen, LB, Georgia |
Every mock we surveyed has the Broncos going in a completely different direction, which speaks to how few urgent needs Denver has after a 14-win season. Brugler aligns with Paul's dream pick in Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, while Kiper matches Paul's upside swing in Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Paul ultimately goes with the safer interior lineman in his mock draft.
🔮 Broncos draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 62: Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech
- Pro comparison: DJ Reader
- Measurables: 6'3" | 318 lbs | 23 years old | RAS: 4.12
After trading their first-round pick for Jaylen Waddle, Sean Payton and George Paton could look to add to their defense with their first pick of the draft. The Denver Broncos' defensive tackle room is a little light in terms of talent and weight, so why not add a player that could remind some fans of Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton? Lee Hunter is a load against the run with his strength and heavy hands helping him control linemen and eat space. He can be an impact run defender from Week 1 on.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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