The Denver Broncos emphasized on Apr. 24 that their success in the 2026 NFL Draft will depend heavily on their performance during Day 3 selections. General Manager George Paton said that while the team added defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim as their only Day 2 pick, it is the upcoming rounds that will shape this year’s draft class.
Paton explained that hitting on middle-round picks is crucial for building depth and finding future contributors. “If we’re doing our job, we should hit on the second — or now third-round — pick,” Paton said Friday. “But really … the middle picks [are the ones] that really define your draft, especially since we’re picking in the fourth up high.”
The Broncos hold seven picks on Day 3, including two early fourth-round selections at Nos. 108 and 111 overall. Paton said these choices are especially important: “That kind of sets the tone … These two fourth-round picks will define this draft.” He added that recent roster depth has come from successful late-round selections, with players starting as backups and later becoming key contributors.
Head Coach Sean Payton also addressed questions about possibly trading up by packaging multiple picks but stressed a disciplined approach focused on evaluation rather than making flashy moves. “I think you go into the day, and we’re looking closely at the grade and the stack,” Payton said. “We’re never trying to worry about the splash. We’re really trying to look at it with the proper vision, the proper grade.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s rounds, Paton expressed confidence in both his strategy and recent additions like Onyedim and Jaylen Waddle: “We like Day 3,” he said. “We like where we are picking on Day 3 … We feel good about where we are at, and we feel really good about the day.”
