The Denver Broncos went into the 2026 NFL draft with seven picks, and after making two trades, they exited the draft with seven new rookies. Following the draft, Denver filled out the roster by signing undrafted free agents.
Now that the dust is settling, we're taking a quick look at 10 winners and losers for the Broncos following the draft.
1. Winner: QB Bo Nix: The Broncos added a talented running back in Jonah Coleman (one of the top pass-blocking RBs in this year's class), added a long-term offensive lineman and picked two tight ends, including a potential fifth-round gem in Justin Joly. Nix now has more weapons (and more protection) and the team's first-round pick was traded for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Nix should be happy following the draft.
2-3. Losers: RBs Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin: Coleman's arrival is particularly bad news for Badie, who served as the team's third-string running back last season. Coleman is an upgrade over Badie as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield, and his blocking ability makes him a legitimate third-down option for Denver. McLaughlin, meanwhile, might be bumped down to RB5 after playing behind Badie last season.
4. Winner: TE Justin Joly: Evan Engram will turn 32 before the regular season begins, and he's scheduled to become a free agent in 2027. Adam Trautman signed a three-year extension, but he's never going to be a huge receiving threat in coach Sean Payton's offense. So there's an opportunity for Joly to make the most of his touches as a rookie before potentially taking over as the club's top receiving tight end in 2027.
5-6. Losers: TEs Lucas Krull and Caleb Lohner: Joly's arrival arguably put Krull on the roster bubble. Then the team used a seventh-round pick to select Dallen Bentley. After the Broncos added two TEs, Krull and Lohner will likely be long shots to make the active roster in 2026. Bentley, Krull and Lohner might end up competing with Nate Adkins for the final tight end spot this summer.
7-8. Winners: LBs Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton: Denver used the final pick in the draft to select Red Murdock, and the club signed Taurean York as an undrafted free agent, but neither player is a lock to make the team. Instead of using a second-round pick on a linebacker, the Broncos waited until late in the draft to add at the position. Strnad and Singleton are now locked in as the obvious starters for at least another season.
9. Loser: G Ben Powers: Denver picked Kage Casey in the fourth round and while he ended his college career as a left tackle, Casey might be asked to transition to guard in the NFL. Casey will likely serve as a backup swing tackle/guard as a rookie, but with Powers scheduled to hit free agency in 2027, the Broncos appear to be planning for the future.
10. Winner: DB Devon Key: After the draft, one of Denver's undrafted free agent signings was Nebraska wide receiver Dane Key. He is the younger brother of Broncos special teams All-Pro Devon Key, and they will now get an opportunity to play together for the first time. Playing on opposite sides of the ball, the Key brothers could end up going head-to-head at practice this summer. That will be a must-watch matchup.
Up next on the team's offseason calendar is the start of the offseason program next week, followed by rookie minicamp. The team will begin OTAs in June, followed by a mandatory minicamp. Fans will get their first look at the team's draft class when training camp begins, likely in late July.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: 10 winners and losers following the NFL draft