The Denver Broncos are preparing for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, with several analysts offering predictions for the team’s selections as of April 20. Although Denver traded away its first-round pick to acquire wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in March, the team still holds seven picks in this year’s draft.
This year’s draft is significant for the Broncos as they look to build on their current roster and address key positions. The absence of a first-round pick places greater emphasis on finding value in later rounds.
For their second-round selection at No. 62 overall, both Chad Reuter from NFL.com and Jordan Reid from ESPN.com project that Denver will select running back Jadarian Price. Reid said, “It would come as a major surprise if Price isn’t the second RB off the board behind Jeremiyah Love. The Broncos make a lot of sense, and they could use a bigger runner who can slot in with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.” Other analysts such as Dane Brugler from The Athletic suggest linebacker CJ Allen from Georgia, while Nick Kosmider also from The Athletic points to linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., stating, “Hill is only 21 years old. He would have the benefit of learning coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense behind two savvy veterans as he prepared to ultimately step into a starting role.” Mike Renner from CBS Sports projects tight end Eli Stowers out of Vanderbilt.
In later rounds, projections vary widely across positions including defensive tackle Chris McClellan (Missouri), linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State), running back Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), tackle Austin Barber (Florida), edge rusher Logan Fano (Utah), tight end Jack Endries (Texas), and others. Kosmider notes about Barber: “He played both right tackle and left tackle for the Gators, and teams figure to evaluate him at guard as well as he begins his NFL career.” Regarding tight end Nate Boerkircher from Texas A&M, Kosmider adds: “At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Boerkircher demonstrated an ability to use that lengthy frame to make catches in traffic… which could give him an early path to playing time in Denver.”
Other late-round prospects mentioned include defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny—described by Dane Brugler as having an appealing power profile—and return specialist Noah Whittington from Oregon: “He was also used as a returner, which could give him value as a late-round option for the Broncos.” For seventh rounders like EDGE Aidan Hubbard (Northwestern) who had consistent sack production—”He had at least six sacks in each of the last three seasons”—and interior lineman Jager Burton (Kentucky) noted for versatility: “Burton made at least nine starts at all three interior positions across his five seasons at Kentucky…”
As draft week approaches, attention remains on how Denver will utilize its remaining selections after acquiring Waddle earlier this offseason.
