🏈 Broncos NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & 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 tonight 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 |
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➡️ Makai Lemon draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Broncos mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Denver Broncos' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Denver to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (No. 62) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri (No. 62) |
🎯 Broncos first position drafted
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Denver doesn't pick until No. 62 after trading its first-rounder, so the Broncos can afford to target the best available player on a roster that's already built to compete. Interior defensive line and linebacker are the most commonly cited needs for Sean Payton's squad, and they're neck-and-neck in the hours leading into the first round.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 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: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
- Pro comparison: Jordyn Brooks
- Measurables: 6'2" | 237 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: N/A
While the Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, they can afford to add help up the spine, whether that's at defensive tackle or linebacker. With Alex Singleton turning 33, Sean Payton might want to find his future replacement in the form of another tackle machine. Josiah Trotter plays with a mean streak like his father, Jeremiah Trotter. The younger Trotter has some of the best instincts in the class and should be an immediate plus against the run.
🏈 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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