After going 10-7 and making the Wildcard, Sean Payton and Year Two Bo Nix will look to elevate the Denver Broncos further in the playoffs. Despite being in a tough AFC West, they had a surprise 2024 season and could improve upon that if they nail a few selections in this year’s draft.
Their offense had some highs and lows, but their defense was really the thing that brought them a winning season. With most of their foundation and free agent additions going to that side of the ball this offseason, most of their top needs are on offense to help out Nix in his sophomore NFL season.
Team Needs
With just seven selections and no fifth or seventh round pick, I could see them trading down or trading up for a player or two with their multiple sixth-round picks. Their biggest need on paper seems to be a playmaker, as running back leads the way with wide receiver and tight end also in the conversation. For the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft, it will likely be an offensive-heavy draft on the first two days, and the defense to round out the depth on the roster in day three.
Even though the Broncos signed Evan Engram, they could use some young depth behind him, and Engram has his injury issues. Letting Javonte Williams walk gives runway for another back to come in and start right away. The backs currently on the team include mid-round rookie Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson.
7- Round Mock Draft
- Round 1: No. 20- TreVeyon Henderson (RB) Ohio State
- Round 2: No. 51- Landon Jackson (EDGE) Arkansas
- Round 3: No. 85- Tez Johnson (WR) Oregon
- Round 4: No. 122- Danny Stutsman (LB) Oklahoma
- Round 6: No. 191 (from ARI)- Mitchell Evans (TE) Notre Dame
- Round 6: No. 197- Connor Colby (OG) Iowa
- Round 6: No. 208 (from PHI)- Upton Stout (CB) Western Kentucky
Mock Draft Analysis
Using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator, I addressed Denver’s needs but didn’t include trades in this seven-round mock. Although many pencil in another former North Carolina running back, Omarion Hampton, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson is the perfect fit for Sean Payton’s scheme. He could be used similarly to Alvin Kamara when Payton was on the New Orleans Saints.
Arkansas’ Landon Jackson gives Denver a big edge on the defensive line, who can kick inside or outside. A great story pick that could happen on day two or three is pairing up Nix’s former teammate at Oregon and adopted brother at wide receiver, Tez Johnson. The rest of the picks are mostly depth, as they made solid free agent additions from the San Francisco 49ers with safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Final Thoughts
The Denver Broncos are pretty solid overall, but the key for this draft is getting more help for Nix in 2025. While Courtland Sutton is their top receiver and Marvin Mims had his moments, they are missing another contributor. Their offensive line was one of the better units in 2024, and their secondary surprised, along with their pass rush. Getting some young depth there could help improve a great unit that will look to compete against the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and now Geno Smith.
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