HC Sean Payton traditionally favors a running-back-by-committee approach. However, the Broncos' current stable of running backs, none of whom significantly contributed last season, leaves them without a clear lead heading into the draft. Separately, Payton has identified a veteran receiver as a "need," but not a "must-have," suggesting a priority for the development of young receivers like Mims, Vele, and Franklin, with draft competition likely being the preferred method for bolstering the position – a strategy consistent with his demonstrated attention to interior offensive linemen, evidenced by Day 3 selections at that position in his last two drafts. Sean Payton has a history of moving up on the draft’s opening night.

Reasons for a top 30 Visit

GM George Paton: "There are all kinds of reasons why we bring someone in on a Top-30 [visit]. We talk to every player at all of the All-Star Games and at the [NFL] Combine. Then we get through all our meetings and maybe there is a player we just need a little more information on. Maybe [it’s], ‘Can he learn what we are trying to do mentally?’ Maybe he has something off the field we want to address. Maybe it’s someone who didn’t go to the Combine and we want to bring them in to get a physical so we can draft the player. Maybe we are just trying to recruit a college free agent. There are several reasons why we are bringing players in and why we are talking to players."

*Over the last few years, the Broncos have only selected two players who have been brought in for pre-draft visits.

Transactions

Signed QB Sam Ehlinger to a one-year deal. ERFA OLB Dondrea Tillman signed his contract. Signed S Sam Franklin to a 1-year deal. Signed ERFA TE Lucas Krull. Signed ERFAs: CB Ja'Quan McMillian; DL Jordan Jackson; S Devon Key. Signed LS Zach Triner. Awarded a roster exception for Australian-born TE Thomas Yassmin.

Draft 4/24-26/2025

George Paton: "This is the most prepared I'll be for a draft, in large part because of the continuity." Sean Payton on the Broncos' draft: "There will be focus on the running back position."

Day One: Can’t afford to miss.

RD 1 20 CB Jahdae Barron 5’11 201. Barron is a quick, smart cornerback who can play outside or in the slot (and Safety). He can set the edge, blitz, and is a solid tackler. Barron is versatile and a steal at pick 20. This was a "best player available" pick, not a need pick.

Day Two: "The Gray Area"

A mix of players expected to contribute immediately and players who will take longer to break into the lineup. Leading up to their second-round pick on Friday night, the Denver Broncos and General Manager George Paton were busy on the trade front. First, they moved down six spots in a deal with the Panthers, acquiring a better third-round pick and a fourth-rounder. Next, they traded back again with the Lions to pick No. 60, adding another fourth-round pick. Finally, in a move with the Eagles, the Broncos traded two fourths and a sixth to jump up to pick 101 and gain an additional fourth-round pick.

Rd 2 60 RB RJ Harvey 5’9 208. Harvey is a small back with a thick frame who can contribute on all three downs. Harvey is an excellent receiver who fits the Payton offense and committee approach to the backfield. He carried a big workload at UCF and was second only to Ashton Jeanty in 15-yard carries. At 24 years old, he needs to break his habit of trying to bounce outside to be as good as he can be. Harvey is a solid pick who would have been gone before Denver’s next pick. He will compete to start immediately.

Rd 3 74 WR Pat Bryant 6’2 204. Bryant is a deep ball specialist for the vertical passing game and a reach in the third round. He will likely be a situational player who stretches the field and is also a red zone target because of his ability to win on contested catches. Sean Payton: "There were so many things about his game that reminded me of Mike Thomas." Bryant is underdeveloped and will need time to elevate his game at the pro level.

RD 3 101 DE Sai’vion Jones 6’5 280. Jones can line up inside with his hand in the dirt and rush from the edge, bringing a lot of versatility that is lacking on Denver’s defensive front. He has good bend and a couple of reliable moves, but he allows blockers into his frame too often. Jones gives maximum effort on every rep but needs to improve his pacing to become more consistent against the run.

Day Three: Paton’s Strength

Paton made one last trade in round six with the Houston Texans, giving up pick 197 for pick 216 and seventh-round pick 241.

RD 4 134 Edge Que Robinson 6’4 243. Robinson will play primarily as a four-phase special-teams player while being coached up to contribute on defense. He is too light for the edge, but projects as a 3-4 linebacker and a mismatch for guards as an off-ball blitzer and a spy on mobile quarterbacks. He has a lot of competition at inside and outside linebacker, which will give him a year to develop.

RD 6 216 P Jeremy Crawshaw 6’4 198. Crawshaw has power and gets the ball out quickly.. He will get a boost in distance at altitude, but has a lot of work to do on hang time.

RD 7 241 TE Caleb Lohner 6’7 250. Lohner, who previously played basketball at BYU (2020-22) and Baylor (2022-23), began his football career in 2024 by catching four passes, all for touchdowns, and a two-point conversion. His debut game included a 20-yard touchdown reception.

Offense

The Broncos added two weapons for QB Bo Nix: "Joker" style RB RJ Harvey, who could also be a first- and second-down back, and clutch time star WR Pat Bryant, who only drops 1 in 55 catchable passes. Lohner has the size to be a red zone weapon. If Lohner develops, all three additions are young weapons for Nix.

Defense

CB Jahdae Barron is a perfect fit and elevates a defense that must contend with the AFC’s elite quarterbacks. Barren has all-pro talent and is a dangerous ball hawk opposite Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain, II. Jones will see early third-down reps and push for a starting spot down the road. You need 3 cornerbacks in today’s NFL. Denver now has them.

Special Teams

The Broncos know who and what they have in Haack. Haack has a chance to stick because of his reunion with Rizzi, a chance to punt at elevation, and an opportunity to work with a punt-coverage team that ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in average-per-return allowed. Alabama’s Que Robison figures to be a key component in all phases of special teams. P Jeremy Crawshaw can be a big field position weapon if he boosts his hang time.

College Free Agents

All CFAs are unofficial until the Broncos officially announce the signings: Jacksonville State C Clay Webb. Priority Kansas LB JB Brown. Priority Kentucky OL Marques Cox. Arkansas State WR Courtney Jackson Oregon State CB Jaden Robinson Missouri EDGE Johnny Walker Jr. Georgia OL Xavier Truss Toledo WR Jerjuan Newton North Carolina Central WR Joaquin Davis Oklahoma State OL Joe Michalski Tennessee-Martin NT Christian Dowell Utah LB Karene Reid Duke CB Joshua Pickett Florida A&M CB Kendall Bohler Missouri IDL Kristian Williams

Denver has invited the following players to their minicamp, to try out for the team: LS Christian Johnstone IOL Justin Mayers WR/TE Mickey Harrison DE Chris Chukwunek OL Gabe Clark K John Hoylan OL Jake Wiley

Off-Season Workouts

The first day of the team’s off-season workout program begins on Monday, April 21. The offseason program is nine weeks long and is split into three phases. The first phase is a two-week period that consists of strength and conditioning, meetings, and physical rehabilitation. The second phase occupies the following three weeks with on-field workouts held at a walk-through pace with no live contact permitted. Finally, the third phase is when teams hold their organized team practice activity (OTAs) with non-contact, team-on-team drills. Denver will have six days of OTAs, split into three-day segments. The first round will be from May 27-29, and the second round will be from June 3-5. Teams are allowed to have up to 10 days of OTAs. The week after OTAs, the Broncos will hold their mandatory minicamp from June 10-12.

Orangeman’s Take

Denver enters the upcoming season with a solid foundation, provided by their strong retention of playing time (losing just 6.5% of 2024 snaps after accounting for departures, ranking 11th-lowest in the NFL). The Super Bowl window is open, but their success depends on maintaining player health for a third straight year and the pivotal development of quarterback Bo Nix. Their roster stability provides a favorable backdrop for that to happen.

The draft wasn’t like anyone had predicted/mocked. Payton and Paton got their RB RJ Harvey in round 2 after CB Jahdae Barron fell to them in the first round. DE Sai’vion Jones is a perfect, versatile fit for the defense. They also got the best punter in the draft, Jeremy Crawshaw to replace mediocre Riley Dixon. WR Pat Bryant was a reach due to Illinois/Denver connections, but should be an upgrade over Lil’Jordan Humphry if he learns to get separation at the pro-level. Payton and Paton went solely on "traits" with Edge, Que Robinson and TE Caleb Lohner, a "boom or bust" approach. If they work out, it will be a good draft.

Fantasy Outlook

QB Bo Nix currently projects to be a top 10 fantasy quarterback.

Denver’s running backs currently rank outside the top 36: McLaughlin, Harvey, Estime, Badie, and Watson. Harvey has the upside, but Payton’s backfield usage will limit it.

WR Courtland Sutton is currently a top 20 fantasy wide receiver. The rest of Denver’s wide receivers are currently outside the top 50.

TE Evan Engram is currently a top 10 fantasy tight end. The rest of Denver’s tight ends are outside the top 50.

Denver’s defense currently projects as the number one fantasy defense in the NFL.

PK Matt Haack is currently unranked, but is potentially a top 15 kicker.

End.