After a long offseason wait, the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Denver Broncos won’t be picking tonight, but their draft endeavors will ignite when Day 2 hits tomorrow. What direction will they go and who will they pick? It’s anyone’s best guess. That’s why I’m throwing my hat in the ring and giving my final mock for them.
Last year, I was only able get one prospect right which was wide receiver Pat Bryant. Not many people were talking about him for a fit for Denver, so I was glad I hit on that—even though it was a few rounds later than w here they took them. However, I did correctly project the Broncos getting a running back and that they would a way into late-round three to snag a developmental defensive lineman.
Let’s see how my final mock fares this year. Will I hit on any picks? Will any of our 55 profiled prospects find their way to the Mile High City? I can’t wait to find out.
#48 Overall (via Atlanta Falcons) – Anthony Hill Jr. – Linebacker – Texas
The Broncos trade #62, #170 and a 2027 third-round pick to Atlanta for #48.
During our NFL Draft roundtable series, I mentioned how the Broncos should be aggressive pursuing a top player on their board. That’s why I have them making this move utilizing a future third-round pick and this year’s fifth-round pick. Denver is slated to have ten picks next year, and the Falcons could use some extra selections due to their big trades in recent years leaving them without premium draft capital.
I can’t be certain who is on Denver’s short list of prospects. However, Texas standout Anthony Hill Jr. has the size, athleticism, and playmaking ability to be a dynamic inside linebacker in the NFL. I think he is a tremendous fit for Vance Joseph’s defense and a player worth mortgaging current and future draft capital to obtain. He is who I predicted them to pick as well in our roundtable installment, so he shows up in my final mock.
I don’t care that they brought back Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, and are contemplating giving Jonah Elliss more reps at inside linebacker. It’s a long-term need for the squad and Hill Jr. has the skillset and traits to be a true difference maker at the position. Plus, he’s a turnover machine and we all know Coach Payton wants more of those in 2026. For whatever it’s worth, the Broncos have doubled up on prospects from the same program the past three drafts. If this is the pick, that will mark four in a row.
Denver Broncos 2026 NFL draft big board: Defense https://t.co/Hhjx69AoXy
#108 Overall (via New Orleans Saints) — Kaytron Allen – RB – Penn State
With their top pick going on the defensive side of the ball, the next pick for Denver has them going on offense. Two long-term needs on that side of the ball are tight end and running back. By this time in the draft, I think a handful of backs will be off the board. I’m not expecting Jonah Coleman, Emmett Johnson, Jadarian Price, or Mike Washington Jr. to last this long. Moreover, the tight ends capable of starting right away or having big roles in their rookie campaigns will likely be gone too.
However, I think Penn State prospect Kaytron Allen will be there. If so, Allen would be a fantastic selection for the Broncos who could use another addition to their running back stable. He would serve as an insurance policy for J.K. Dobbins and a nice back to pair with RJ Harvey over the next couple of seasons.
Allen is a strong inside runner that has good size, vision, and the ability to generate yards after contact. He was also very productive in college and rarely fumbled the ball. Do those abilities seem like something the Broncos could use? Absolutely. That’s why he is one of my favorite fits of any prospect in this year’s draft for them.
Penn State RB Kaytron Allen runs hard with good lower body flexibility and vision to change direction quickly. He can shake defenders and run through initial contact. Productive during his 4 seasons at Penn State w/over 4,100 rushing yards. Back-to-back seasons of 1,000+ rushing… pic.twitter.com/1VjXX0XJey
#130 (via Miami Dolphins) – Marlin Klein – TE – Michigan
The Broncos trade #111 to the Miami Dolphins for #130 and #151.
In the earlier trade to acquire Hill Jr., the Broncos sent off their fifth-round selection in this year’s draft in addition to a future third rounder in 2027. I don’t think Paton will want to have no picks between the fourth and seventh round. That is why I have them doing a trade back deep into round four (snagging their original fourth-round pick via the Waddle trade) whilst picking up another early fifth-round pick in the process.
This year’s tight end class has a lot of different players, but only a few prospects with Top 100 grades. One player I like is Marlin Klein out of Michigan. He wasn’t very productive and backed up Colston Loveland for a few seasons, but his size and athletic profile him as one of the draft’s better developmental Y tight ends. He is worth the role of the dice here. You can’t teach his traits, and I believe he will certainly outplay his draft position.
2026 NFL Draft Profile: Michigan tight end Marlin Klein https://t.co/bpPh5IoO5f
#151 Overall (via Miami Dolphins) — Bishop Fitzgerald – S – USC