The Denver Broncos will not have Bo Nix for the rest of the season, so Jarrett Stidham takes over as the starting QB. Denver has ascended to the top of the NFL, mostly thanks to an elite coaching staff and some stellar drafting.
GM George Paton has done a masterful job at finding the talent, and Sean Payton has done an equally as great job at ensuring the right coaching is in place. A huge thing to note for the Broncos is that after the 2025 season, Russell Wilson's contract is totally off the books.
The Broncos could just now begin a very lengthy Super Bowl window, eve with Bo Nix out. Let's get into a 7-Round 2026 NFL mock draft, where the Broncos bring in a huge haul.
Denver Broncos 2026 NFL mock draft ahead of the AFC title game
31. Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
The Denver Broncos have to take the LB position more seriously. Both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are free agents in 2026, so the Broncos do need some more talent in this room.
Plus, Dre Greenlaw just cannot stay healthy, so the Broncos could use a first-round pick on Anthony Hill, a top LB prospect from Texas. This is a wise first choice for the Broncos.
63. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The defensive line in Denver is top-tier, and the one way to sustain that is to continue stacking the talent, especially in the NFL Draft. The Broncos take Lee Hunter, who instantly emerges as their biggest body along that unit.
Denver's DL is a bit undersized, so they could target players who help change that in 2026 and beyond. Thus far, the Broncos add some key talent to the defensive front and continue building on strengths, but the offense needs some help, too.
95. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
The Denver Broncos somehow did not come away with one of the many draftable tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is wild. Denver has to correct this, and they do by taking Eli Stowers, a young TE with upside as a receiver.
108. Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
The Broncos could look to bring in a future starter along the offensive line, as both Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are slowly getting older, so the OL needs some young talent. The Broncos have not drafted a tackle since taking Bolles back in 2017.
131. Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
The Broncos double-dip at tight end and take Tanner Koziol from Houston. The more darts you throw at a position, the bigger chances of a bullseye you have.
169. Chase Roberts, WR, BYU
Denver snags some help at wide receiver and take Chase Roberts from BYU. I would expect Denver to also look for free agency upgrades at all three playmaking positions on offense in the offseason.
247. Deven Eastern, DT, Minnesota
Another DL pick for the Denver Broncos, as they take Deven Eastern from Minnesota and get some young, cheap talent here. Of note, John Franklin-Myers is a free agent in 2026.
251. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
Safety Brandon Jones is a free agent following the 2026 NFL Season, so it would not hurt for Denver to address that position to perhaps find someone who could take over if the Broncos don't bring Jones back. With Talanoa Hufanga getting much of the attention back there, Jones flies under the radar, but he's been hurt for a bit.
225. Christian Gray, CB, Notre Dame
The Broncos finish off this mock draft haul with Christian Gray from Notre Dame. The CB room could be a room that sees some change in the coming years, so it's wise to think ahead here.