The Denver Broncos have a short list of needs entering the 2026 NFL Draft, making this a fairly stress-free draft for Broncos fans. The Broncos have had some stressful draft nights in recent years, specifically the 2024 draft in which the team selected Bo Nix. This year's draft, however, paints an incredibly different reality for General Manager George Paton and his group.
A recent mock draft from CBS Sports has the Broncos loading up on talent with their selections this year, specifically filling a few immediate holes on the offensive side of the ball. Because there are so few holes on the Broncos' roster, the team can go in plenty of different directions with their second-round selection, the only pick they currently have in the first two days of the draft. The recent news of Jonah Elliss switching to inside linebacker throws another wrinkle into what fans have known about the draft so far, possibly eliminating the need for an inside linebacker altogether.
A few needs do remain, though, and it would be smart for the Broncos to address them as quickly as possible. Denver needs a tight end of the future, considering Evan Engram was somewhat disappointing last year, and he is entering the final year of his free agent contract with the team. The Broncos could also use a younger reserve tackle, possibly someone to take over down the line as Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are both getting up there in age.
CBS Sports' latest mock draft has the Denver Broncos addressing several future needs
In this mock draft, CBS Sports' Josh Edwards sees the Broncos taking Ohio State corner Davison Igbinosun with the 62nd overall selection, followed by South Carolina DL Nick Barrett and North Carolina State TE Justin Joly with their fourth-round selections. With these three picks, the Broncos would immediately address their long-term needs on offense, while also making an incredibly interesting selection at corner, which isn't currently a position of need.
It could, however, signal that there is some expectation that the next contract of Riley Moss might not be a simple resolution. It also paints a murky picture for Jahdae Barron, Denver's first-round selection in 2025, who did not see the field much last year and was a non-factor by the playoffs.
The rest of the way, Edwards sees the Broncos using the fifth round to bring in TCU guard Carver Willis. In the final round, he has the Broncos taking the trio of USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald, Iowa interior defensive lineman Aaron Graves, and Illinois tackle JC Davis, giving the Broncos a second defensive lineman in the draft.
Of note, this mock has the Broncos passing on several running backs, perhaps showing a commitment to Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie to get a shot at the 53-man roster. The Broncos are also going to need to take a long look at free agents after the draft, and not selecting a back could just signal that they expect to sign a running back in free agency.
There are plenty of different ways the Broncos can go in the NFL Draft, but this path feels like the best for the team. Igbinosun is a seasoned player who could contribute right away, while the likes of Joly, Barrett, and Davis could be long-term investments with clear paths to playing time beyond 2026. George Paton has done a great job layering in impact draft selections to his roster, and the 2026 draft will be another chance to do just that.