Denver Broncos Draft Grades: Team Toughness Improves in 2026 NFL Draft

In the 2026 NFL Draft, George Paton and Sean Payton clearly had positions of need in mind when they selected.

These Denver Broncos draft grades reflect the team addressing those needs, but also where they took each player relative to the board.

Speaking of that, the Broncos first pick off the board didn't come until the third round.

Denver had the No. 62 overall pick in the second round, but player after player that they were likely targeting flew off the board and went to other teams. It was no secret that Denver needed a tight end and inside linebacker, and those positions were really sought after.

Stud linebacker Josiah Trotter went at No. 46, way before Denver could get their hands on him. Then linebacker CJ Allen went at No. 53 and tight end and John Mackey Award winner Eli Stowers went No. 54 to the Eagles.

But as the Broncos initial pick came closer, it looked like they would still be able to take a top tight end or linebacker. Then LB Anthony Hill Jr. was swooped up by the Tennessee Titans and TE Max Klare went to the LA Rams, with the last two picks before Denver.

That prompted the Broncos to move back to No. 66 and left them to settle for DT Tyler Onyedim. Yes, they needed defensive tackle depth, but one can't help think Paton and Payton wanted one of those top-flight tight ends or linebackers given the way they drafted the rest of the way: Denver took two tight ends and linebacker during Day 3.

As Day 3 went on, the Broncos made some great depth picks with tough players that could impact the future in a positive way.

Let's get into the way-too-early Denver Broncos 2026 draft grades.

Denver Broncos Draft Picks 2026

In all, the Broncos took seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft. Let's explore who they are, how they fit with the team, and give them each a grade.

• 3rd round, No. 66: DT Tyler Onyedim: Onyedim is a big, beefy defensive tackle with really long arms. He comes in at 6'3" and 292 pounds fresh from Texas A&M. Onyedim was at Iowa State for four years before transferring to A&M last year, where he had 48 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble. I couldn't help but notice Eyioma Uwazurike also played at Iowa State; he was a First-Team All Big 12 selection the same year Onyedim was a redshirt freshman (2021). He's a great run defender first and foremost, not a pass-rush guy like Zach Allen. But that will compliment Allen if he plays opposite of him. And tackles are typically in there to take up blocks, slow down the point of attack, and stuff the hole. Onyedim has a great first step, uses his arms to get off blocks and knows how to shoot the gap. But scouts worry about his lower body mass a bit. He was Daniel Jeremiah's 87th overall player and ESPN's 111th, but Denver took him at No. 66 overall. That's a bit of a reach and it was dictated by Hill and Klare going just before Denver could take their pick. It was also dictated by fit, and won't matter if they took him early if his skills work for what the team needs. Grade: C-
• 4th round, No. 108: RB Jonah Coleman: Coleman is the perfect kind of running back the Broncos needed to back up J.K. Dobbins in case of injury and compliment RJ Harvey. Coleman is 5'8" and 220 pounds and a pro comparison is none other than former Broncos back and Super Bowl 50 champion C.J. Anderson. Coleman doesn't have breakaway speed, but he is a tough-nosed running back who runs through arm tackles. He's also patient enough to wait for a hole to open up in zone running plays. Coleman has a great nose for the goal line, with 34 touchdowns in college, including 15 rushing touchdowns last year. On the down side he has a below-average burst and a slower top-end speed. ESPN had him at No. 175, but NFL.com put him in the 4th. Grade: B-
• 4th round, No. 111: OT Kage Casey: Nothing like a Boise State offensive tackle! Ryan Clady went to Boise State and played seven years in Denver with two first-team All-Pros. Plus, Casey said he modeled his game after Garett Bolles, the Broncos current left tackle. Casey started all of the college Broncos games the last three years at left tackle, but it seems likely Denver would want to move him to the right side if and when they move on from Mike McGlinchey. Or, it's possible Denver moves him inside to guard as his arms are a bit short and he excels in the run blocking game. Grade: C.
• 5th round, No. 152: TE Justin Joly: Joly is probably my favorite pick of this year's draft. But that may be because I really wanted Denver to take a tight end early this year. Even in the fifth round, Joly could emerge as the Broncos tight end of the future, you never know. He's a well-rounded tight end who can catch passes, win at the point of contention with strong hands, and is tough to tackle. The downside is he's a little undersized, doesn't have a huge catch radius, and needs to work on his run blocking. ESPN had him at No. 92 overall, Denver got him 60 picks later. Grade: B.
• 7th round, No. 246: S Miles Scott: A 5'11" 208-pound safety who likely looks to factor in on special teams before he gets any playing time with the defense. Grade: D.
• 7th round, No. 256: TE Dallen Bentley: If Joly is the pass-catcher, Bentley is the blocker. Grade: D.
• 7th round, No. 257: LB Red Murdock: Mr. Irrelevant 2026. His ceiling may be special teamer. Grade: C-.

Denver Broncos overall draft grade: C-

Paton and Payton did a good job to fill future holes. Though most of these guys won't play on Sundays in 2026, hopefully 3-4 of them do in the next few years.

The Broncos are a loaded team right now. Making it to the AFC Championship Game was evidence that they have enough talent to win a Super Bowl right now.

So, it's fine that they focused on backups.

It's also difficult to find a star when you don't have a first-round pick.

They traded that away for Jaylen Waddle, which was a brilliant move by George Paton. It only helps cement that this is win-now time for the Broncos; they've gone all-in.

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Rich Kurtzman was born and raised in Denver Colorado and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins in the aughts. He's been a professional writer since 2011, covering Colorado State football and men's basketball, as well as the Denver Broncos, for many outlets. Current Denver Broncos work can be found on Mile High Sports. Previous credits include CBS Denver and The USA TODAY Sports Media Group.

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