The Denver Broncos may have made the biggest move this offseason by trading for Jaylen Waddle. Ideally, this move allows the Broncos to continue to stand atop the AFC and perhaps even see Bo Nix make a huge leap in year three.
While Nix's passing production took a bit of a hit in 2025, the Broncos dropped the ball more than most teams, so a lot of it boiled down to his teammates not catching enough footballs. The team was also missing a no. 1 weapon like Waddle, so all around, this acquisition made a lot of sense.
This does leave the Broncos without a first-round pick and a third-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, and the team actually has some of the least valuable draft capital in the NFL this year. Despite this truth, the Broncos managed to come away with a very strong haul in this mock draft.
Denver Broncos updated mock draft proves team can land top haul with limited capital
62. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Lee Hunter is a pure nose tackle prospect but is also one heck of a player. Turning 24 years old this summer, Hunter will be an older rookie, but he's got the raw power and size to be an immediate contributor, especially on early downs.
Perhaps someone who could be a long-term DJ Jones' replacement, Hunter is bigger than Jones and does still feature enough power and push to get into the backfield and collapse pockets.
111. Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
An underrated name at tight end this cycle, Sam Roush is already a true in-line player, meaning he can line up next to the tackle spot and act as a blocker. This is something the Broncos have been missing, but coupled with receiving ability.
A 'complete' tight end is not something the Broncos currently have, but Roush can project as one with the right coaching. Denver is again given a high-end tight end class. Last year, there were a ton of draftable tight ends, but the Broncos only managed Caleb Lohner, a former basketball player.
With 2026 being another strong tight end class, there aren't any excuses for the Broncos to get someone.
120. (via GB) - Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Recently turning 23 years old, Kaytron Allen would be another older rookie, but the Broncos had no issues taking RJ Harvey, who is already 25 years old. Allen is someone who could be the final piece of the puzzle in the backfield for the Broncos.
Denver sports a duo of Harvey and J.K. Dobbins, but Harvey might not be capable of being an efficient down-to-down runner. He might be more change-of-pace player with high-end receiving ability out of the backfield.
Allen is a pure runner and does possess good vision. He profiles as a solid rotational piece in the backfield, and simply getting someone who could be relied on for a handful of carries a game would thrust this backfield in the right direction.
160. (via GB) - JC Davis, OT, Illinois
With Garett Bolles approaching his mid-30s, and Mike McGlinchey also getting up there in age, the Broncos need to get a tackle prospect in the building. With how good the coaching is along the offensive line, the team could use a late-rounder to snag someone.
Denver executed a trade in this mock draft to land picks 120 and 160 from the Green Bay Packers for pick 108, so they'll use the second pick in that deal on JC Davis. Davis isn't the quickest on his feet, so he might have a future at guard, but it's a risk worth taking.
170. Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
Also playing baseball, Bryce Boettcher is a heck of an athlete, and perhaps ideally, he brings special teams experience. Denver plans on giving Jonah Elliss some snaps at inside linebacker, so that position might not be quite as important as it once was.
Boettcher has the potential to develop into a starter in the right situation.
246. Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
The Broncos had a private workout with Caleb Douglas, so there is some level of interest present. A big-bodied target, Douglas could fit the mold of what Broncos head coach Sean Payton covets in many of his receivers.
256. Caden Barnett, OG, Wyoming
Denver hosted Caden Barnett on a visit, but with him being from Wyoming, it made sense to bring him in since the distance is rather close. Left guard Ben Powers is also a free agent after this season, so the Broncos could target a potential succession plan here.