The Denver Broncos are hosting the AFC Championship Game this weekend, but they'll have to win this game without Bo Nix, who went down with a broken ankle near the end of the team's overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. It was a disappointing ending to an otherwise excellent season.
Denver is one win away from the Super Bowl for a reason, and Bo Nix is most of that reason. In the offseason, the Broncos will no longer have Russell Wilson's contract on their books and are going to be in a very healthy spot financially. Furthermore, this team could also be aggressive in adding players via trade given how wide open this window appears to be.
Let's see if this NFL Draft class by Denver could continue to keep this obvious Super Bowl window open for the franchise for years to come.
Updated Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Broncos trade pick 31 to the Miami Dolphins for WR Jaylen Waddle
The Denver Broncos don't even have a first-round pick in our latest mock, as they traded it to the Miami Dolphins for Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos seemed to have some degree of interest in Waddle at the NFL trade deadline earlier this year, but the front office likely did not want to pay the asking price.
The conversation might be a little bit different in the offseason, as Denver really doesn't have much more of an excuse, and given how much they have not been able to upgrade at WR, they almost don't have a choice but to swing a major trade.
Waddle is the missing piece to this WR room and is a legit no. 1 target, something the Denver Broncos do not currently have. Denver trades its first-round pick in our latest mock draft.
63. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
It's a bit odd that the Denver Broncos weren't able to draft one of the top TE prospects back in 2025 with how big of a need it was for them. Evan Engram has been just OK this year and isn't a long-term option, or an in-line tight end. Like most rookie TEs, Michael Trigg is someone who leaves a bit of meat on the bone as a blocker, but that's something coaching could fix.
95. Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
The Broncos sport one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and use a top-100 pick on Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech. The Broncos currently have five big-time contracts along the OL, and that simply cannot remain the case forever.
108. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Linebacker is another need for Denver and is the first defensive pick for the Broncos here in this mock draft. It would not shock me if the Broncos were aggressive at this position in the offseason but still made an emphasis to bring in a rookie in as well.
131. Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
Both Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are getting up there in age, so the Broncos should target a developmental tackle prospect at some point.
169. Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
Adam Randall is a big-bodied running back that the Denver Broncos are missing. He's the 169th pick and could be their RB3 in 2026 and beyond.
247. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (FL)
The Broncos have one of the more talented secondaries in the NFL and try to bring in some depth with Jakobe Thomas from Miami. Denver's secondary allows the pass rush to feast.
251. Cameron Robertson, EDGE, SMU
Another strong defensive position for the Broncos is their EDGE room. The one way to keep these positions top-notch is to not only bring in competent depth, but also use first and second-round picks as well when needed.
255. Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
Denver finishes up this mock draft with Caleb Douglas, a 6-4 wide receiver from Texas Tech.