INDIANAPOLIS – The Denver Broncos will begin their evaluation of potential draft picks Monday at the NFL Combine, seeking to address lingering roster needs despite a surprisingly successful 2025 season. While the Broncos finished with a 14-3 record, head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton recognize areas for improvement as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Denver’s primary focus in Indianapolis will be on linebacker, running back, and tight end, positions where the Broncos face uncertainty with several key free agents. This year’s draft class, however, appears to offer potential solutions, particularly at wide receiver and on the defensive line, according to NFL scouts.
The Broncos’ 2025 draft strategy proved unconventional, selecting cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first round despite pre-draft buzz surrounding running backs and tight ends. However, the Combine too served as the initial scouting ground for receiver Pat Bryant, suggesting Payton and Paton are open to identifying talent outside of conventional expectations.
This year’s quarterback class is not expected to be particularly strong, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Beyond Mendoza, only Alabama’s Ty Simpson is currently considered a potential first-round selection at the position, according to preliminary evaluations.
“When you’re picking 30-31 down there in this draft – I think it’s solid… you’ll hit solid doubles,” an anonymous NFL scout told The Denver Post. “Will you hit home runs? Eh, I don’t recognize about that. But you’ll hit solid doubles.”
The draft is expected to be particularly deep at wide receiver, with 16 players ranked within the top 100 prospects by Pro Football Focus. The Broncos could also find value on the defensive line in the later stages of the first round, with players like Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter and Georgia’s Christen Miller drawing attention.
Denver may seek a running back to complement rookie RJ Harvey, but the scout cautioned that this year’s backfield class is “not deep at all,” suggesting the Broncos might prioritize adding a running back in free agency.
Several players have emerged as potential targets for Denver at the Combine. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a Bronko Nagurski Award winner in 2025, has garnered significant interest. The scout noted that Rodriguez “would be a heck of a pick for them, considering how their defense is set up.” Rodriguez, a former quarterback and offensive weapon, recorded 128 tackles, four interceptions, and seven forced fumbles in 14 games last season.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch is another prospect drawing attention, with the scout comparing him to former New Orleans Saints receiver Lance Moore, a favorite of Payton’s. Branch is considered one of the fastest players in the draft and led the SEC in receptions in 2025 after transferring from USC.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is also on Denver’s radar, with the scout predicting he “will be one of the best testers at that position.” Sadiq, a former teammate of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks is considered a “wild-card” prospect, having returned from a foot injury late in the 2025 season. The scout believes Banks could be a “really good fit” for the Broncos, who may be looking for depth on their defensive front with John Franklin-Myers potentially hitting free agency.
Texas A&M offensive lineman Chase Bisontis has also been identified as a potential fit, particularly given the Broncos’ shift towards an outside-zone running scheme. He allowed only 12 pressures and one sack in 795 snaps in 2025.
Several lesser-known prospects could also attract Denver’s attention. Wisconsin linebacker Mason Reiger impressed at the East-West Shrine Bowl, earning defensive MVP honors. USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald, coached by potential Broncos defensive backs coach Doug Belk, recorded five interceptions in 2025. North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, a left-handed passer who threw 29 touchdowns in 2025, could also generate buzz. Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher, a former teammate of Nix, and Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor are also potential sleepers.
The NFL Combine schedule is as follows: Thursday, Feb. 26: Kickers, defensive linemen, linebackers; Friday, Feb. 27: Tight ends, defensive backs; Saturday, Feb. 28: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers; Sunday, March 1: Offensive linemen. All on-field drills begin at 1 p.m. Mountain Time, except for Saturday and Sunday, which begin at 11 a.m.