The Denver Broncos might have been playing for the Super Bowl had Bo Nix not suffered a broken ankle in overtime of the team's Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, but the Broncos can't go back in time. The big picture is great for Denver, though, as this team is equipped and in a great spot for the long-term.
Russell Wilson's dead cap is officially off the books after this season, and the roster itself is already one of the five best in the entire NFL. The Broncos don't really need much of anything to get back to the AFC Championship Game in 2026, as the defense is pretty much set, as the main areas of improvement are on the offensive side of the ball. Denver has to find help at all three skill positions, but that should be doable for such a strong front office.
Denver could even look to trade one or more of their draft picks in 2026 to acquire some immediate-impact talent, like a stud wide receiver, perhaps. In this 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Broncos not only build around Bo Nix, but also do indeed swing a major trade to help that.
Denver Broncos swing a major trade for an elite wide receiver in 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
30. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Denver Broncos snag some much-needed size along the defensive interior and draft Caleb Banks. Banks doesn't have the statistical production, but the one thing that he does have is insane size and a ton of potential for the Broncos to develop. At 6-6 and 330 pounds, Banks is a space-eater who could immediately contribute as a run-stuffer, but he has all the tools in the toolbox to be an every-down, elite defensive lineman in the NFL for years to come.
This is a great start for the Denver Broncos.
Broncos trade pick 62 and a 2027 3rd-Round Pick to Philadelphia Eagles for WR AJ Brown
In our latest mock draft, the Broncos are trading pick 62 and a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver AJ Brown, a player who feels primed to be traded for the second time in his NFL career.
He was traded back in 2022 for a first-round pick from the Tennessee Titans. The Eagles are obviously going through a bit of a transition period right now, and Brown was not afraid to get vocal during the season. The talented receiver doesn't seem too happy with the team, so a fresh start as he finishes up his prime years makes sense.
As for the Denver Broncos, they give Bo Nix an elite weapon and someone who is a mismatch for any defensive back. This move would also push players like Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin down a spot on the depth chart, which is much-needed given the talent of the room outside of AJ Brown.
Personally, I would be shocked if the Broncos did not make a major move for a playmaker this offseason.
94. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
Emmett Johnson is an impact player in the backfield. He can do a bit of everything at the position, but he's not quite there yet in pass protection and doesn't have great speed. He's quite literally good at everything else, though. He can run in between the tackles, is decisive as a runner, and can make some impacts as a receiver as well.
Johnson would simply be another offensive weapon for the Broncos to deploy, and even if they were to draft him here at pick 94, I would still argue that a free agent running back move should happen. Re-signing J.K. Dobbins and still dipping into the 2026 NFL Draft for more running back help is a wise idea.
108. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
Like most collegiate tight ends coming into the NFL, blocking is a little bit to be desired, but Eli Raridon is a special player and someone who might honestly come into the Broncos and takeover the TE1 role as early as his rookie season. Raridon is 6-7 and 250 pounds, so the size already gives him a massive advantage against opposing defenses.
He is an above-average receiver who caught 32 passes for 482 yards in 2025 for Notre Dame. This is also the type of player who is very likely to be a better pro than a better collegiate player. Usually, it's the opposite.
While the blocking needs work, there is a solid foundation with Raridon, and using pick 108 on him would feel like a steal for the Broncos.
130. Fa'alili Fa'amoe, OT, Wake Forest
A well-rounded player and technically sound, Fa'alili Fa'amoe from Wake Forest is a right tackle prospect and someone who could be an eventual starter along the offensive line. The neat thing here with Fa'amoe is that if he can't quite make it as a tackle, he does profile nicely on the inside as a guard.
The Broncos do have a very strong offensive line right now, but it won't stay that way unless the front office, led by General Manager George Paton, is able to keep stocking this unit up with talented players who can develop.
Fa'amoe might not see much action in 2026 on the Broncos, but this pick is more of a long-term play if anything else.
168. Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan
Another position that the Broncos have done a nice job at developing is off the edge. Jaishawn Barham played his collegiate football at Maryland and Michigan and is someone who kind of fits that undersized outside linebacker that the Broncos have coveted in guys like Nik Bonitto and Jonah Elliss. Que Robinson is also in this bucket as well.
Denver continues to add to the defense after making some major moves on the offensive side of the ball in this mock draft.
246. Jamarion Miller, RB, Alabama
The Broncos take another running back and grab Jamarion Miller from Alabama at pick 246 in this mock draft. Broncos head coach Sean Payton does love using a ton of running backs and fielding many competent weapons, so Miller could be another feather in his cap.
With Davis Webb now as the offensive coordinator, the Broncos may also see more of an emphasis on the run game than ever before, as Webb was a quarterback in this league, and if there is anyone who understands the most the importance of a strong run game, it's a quarterback.
The Broncos, yet again, continue to load up on the offensive side of the ball and are finally doing right by Bo Nix.
251. Delby Lemieux, OG, Dartmouth
The second-to-last pick for the Broncos here in this mock draft is Delby Lemieux, a guard from Dartmouth. We've seen offensive lines across the NFL trot out endless different combinations due to injuries or poor play.
The Broncos have to stay ahead of the game here and stack their offensive line room with as many competent bodies as possible. Luckily, the 'normal' starting unit has stayed rather healthy these past few seasons, but that does not mean it remains that way.
255. Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
The Broncos have to focus in on making life easier for Bo Nix - it's not that Nix isn't good, it's that the offense was simply not talented enough in 2025. Had the Broncos sported a more consistent run game, for example, they may be playing for a Super Bowl.
The team also struggled with drops and just did not have a go-to weapon on offense. There are bits and pieces of this unit being great, as Nix's late-game heroics were excellent, and the offensive line continues to be elite.
However, now is the time for the Broncos' front office to get aggressive, and they did just that in this mock draft.