Welcome to the finale. We’re in the endgame now. Ready the horns. The 2025 NFL Draft is here and the Denver Broncos are sitting pretty at the 20th overall pick.
Whether they pick there or not remains to be seen and I’m enjoying the mysteriousness of the direction the Broncos will go, as well as the overall unknown of the entirety of the draft as opposed to recent years. A while ago, I wrote about the myriad of options that the Broncos could go through at 20, including trading up, trading down, and staying put. It’s a very exciting time for football fans all around the league and everyone is certain that they don’t know what’s going to happen. Even the draft experts and professional analysts are torn on what could happen just in the first round.
When it comes to the Broncos, I wanted to make sure that my mock draft was not a “this is what is going to happen” but rather a “this is what I hope happens for the Broncos” mock draft. For this final mock draft the pro comparisons for these prospects, sourced from reputable analysts and by using their athletic profiles, will be included.
So, whether the Broncos stay, trade up, or trade down, sit back and enjoy the unknown. The Broncos will undoubtedly get better in this draft class and continue to improve under Sean Payton, especially if they do what happens in this mock draft *wink, wink*.
Note: For this exercise, I used the PFF mock draft simulator
2.34 – TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
TRADE w/ NYG: Broncos receive 2.34, 3.65, 5.154, 2026 NYG 4th; Giants receive 1.20, 6.208
Measurables: 5’10”, 204 lbs / 4.43 40yd / 1.59 10yd / 38.5” vert / RAS: 8.87
Career Stats: 590 att. (144 in 2024), 3,761 rush yds (1,016 in 2024), 42 rush TD (10 in 2024); 77 rec., 853 rec. yds, 6 rec. TD (four seasons at OSU)
Pro Comps: Aaron Jones, Curtis Martin, Jaylen Wright
The Denver Broncos begin the 2025 NFL Draft by trading down with the New York Giants, who climb back into the first round to take a quarterback. By moving back, the Broncos get two extra picks in this year’s draft and secure an additional pick in 2026.
We know very little about what the Broncos are planning to do in the first round of the draft, with analysts and experts alike saying all sorts of different things. In this mock, though, the Broncos do the right thing and trade down to collect assets.
With their first pick of this mock draft, they get their guy all along. All the smoke screens of draft season have been exhausting, especially this time around. “Will it be tight end? Wide receiver? Defensive line? Running back?”
There’s one spot where this team struggled mightily last season, and it was at the running back position. Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and 2024 rookie Audric Estime were very underwhelming and I can feel the anger from Sean Payton watching his offensive line bully people at the point of attack just to have the running back room sputter.
While a lot of analysts might have the Broncos sticking at 20th overall and taking a running back like Omarion Hampton or even this guy, here they manage to trade down and still land their dude.
Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson has the exact skill set that Sean Payton needs for this run attack, and the offense overall. Henderson isn’t the largest back, but he plays with anger and explosiveness. A threat to score whenever he gets the ball, Henderson showed off his big-play ability numerous times as both a runner and a receiver for the Buckeyes.
With Payton gunning for more zone run concepts in the current NFL, the group he had last season was not an ideal fit for his vision. Henderson adds not just the running style they need, but the pass catcher out of the backfield that McLaughlin wasn’t necessarily able to live up to. He’s a player who coaches rave about when it comes to his attitude and unselfishness, as seen in the prime example this last season, when he willingly split carries with fellow Buckeye Quinshon Judkins.
Payton gets his guy and extra picks. We can all breathe now.
2.51 – Alfred Collins, IDL, Texas
Measurables: 6’5”, 332 lbs / N/A 40yd / N/A 10yd / 26” vert / RAS: DNQ
Career Stats: 64 games (28 starts), 142 tackles, 18.0 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 2 FF, 13 PD, 1 INT
Pro Comps: Javon Kinlaw, Travis Jones, Phidarian Mathis
With their second pick of the draft, the Broncos address their defensive line needs in a big way. Last year, Texas produced two stellar defensive stalwarts in the NFL Draft in Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat, and Alfred Collins could be the next one on that list.
What Collins does well is exactly what the Broncos were missing against the Bills in the playoffs. While they were great at generating pass pressure last season, the Broncos’ defensive front lacked adequate beef and power to sustain itself against the run.
His role as a rookie would be a familiar one as well, as he spent time behind Sweat and Murphy before finally becoming a starter in 2024.
With players like Malcolm Roach and John Franklin-Myers potentially moving on after this season, Collins could see his role continue to grow past this season after providing crucial depth in year one.
3.65 – Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
Measurables: 6’5”, 249 lbs / 4.63 40yd / 1.61 10yd / 39” vert / RAS: 9.39
Career Stats: 134 rec., 1,537 yds, 16 TD
Pro Comps: Jake Ferguson, Jeremy Ruckert, Luke Schoonmaker
The Broncos’ tight end room for Sean Payton’s tenure has not been ideal. Adam Trautman provided use as a blocking Y, but was little helpful in the passing game. Trautman pitched in 190 yards on offense and the room as a whole pitched in 486 yards and 5 touchdowns, about 12.3% of the offensive production. They brought in Evan Engram, but they still need another body in the room, considering Engram is on a short-term deal and Trautman’s deal is expiring. They fill that role with a familiar face.
Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson was indeed teammates in Eugene with Bo Nix in 2022 and 2023. During those two seasons, Ferguson and Nix combined for 74 catches, 805 yards and 11 touchdowns. Ferguson’s size and athletic profile as a former basketball player make him a perfect addition for the Broncos’ offense.
The Littleton, CO product was a versatile piece for Oregon during his time there, showcasing consistent big-play ability after the catch and a trustworthy first-down machine for both Nix and Heisman candidate Dillon Gabriel. Over 72% of his catches last season resulted in either a first down or a touchdown. It’s the perfect choice for them to run multiple tight end sets and have a game plan post-Trautman that Nix is already comfortable with.
3.85 – Jared Wilson, IOL Georgia
Measurables: 6’3”, 311 lbs / 4.84 40yd / 1.71 10yd / 32” vert / RAS: 9.84
Career Stats: 33 GP (12 starts, all in 2024), 6 pressures, 0 sacks allowed in 2024
Pro Comps: Garrett Bradbury, Zach Tom, Ricky Stromberg
The Broncos use their second third-round selection to add potential to their offensive line.
While the unit, as a whole, performed pretty damn well last season, the center position was noticeably mediocre. Luke Wattenberg’s play fluctuated between absolutely despicable to competently average. Former Oregon center Alex Forsyth provided a boost in the run game while Wattenberg was out with an injury, but didn’t show enough in the pass game to beat out Wattenberg when he came back.
For such an important position, the Broncos need to add at least some competition at the spot, and they add it here with Georgia’s Jared Wilson.
A one-year starter for the Bulldogs, Wilson earned Second-team All-SEC honors in 2024. He doesn’t have ideal size, but with the Broncos’ world-class strength and conditioning program and elite offensive line coaching, Wilson could end up competing for the starting spot going into the preseason. He’s played in a multiple-scheme run game and has shown growth in his run blocking, but still has room to improve.
4.122 – Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Measurables: 5’9”, 200 lbs / 4.39 40yd / 1.54 10yd / 32.5” vert / RAS: 7.21
Career Stats: 253 carries, (235 in 2024), 1,509 rush yds (1,332 in 2024), 15 rush TDs
Pro Comps: Isaiah Pead, Jerome Ford, Travis Minor
Going into the fourth round, the Broncos look to add another talented runner to this room. SMU’s Brashard Smith, who transferred from Miami, took on a primary back role in his first year as a true starting back.
Smith rushed for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but his role in Denver could be maximized as a receiving back for Sean Payton. He’s a well-versed route runner who can punish defenders after the catch. Smith and Henderson create a much more charged running back room for Denver.
5.154 – Kobe King, LB, Penn State
Measurables: 6’.6”, 243 lbs / 4.67 40yd / 1.57 10yd / N/A vert / RAS: 8.02
Career Stats: 46 games (27 starts), 200 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 FF, 4 PD
Pro Comps: Lavonte David, Chad Muma, Anthony Walker
The Broncos could use some more depth at linebacker, especially when it comes to run defense. Penn State’s Kobe King is a rocked-up run defender who could contribute on early downs and special teams while he gets used to the NFL game.
He’s not the greatest athlete when getting to the outside, but he makes up for it with sound technique and effort in defending the downhill run game. He’s got the potential to be a starter and true two-down linebacker with time.
6.191 – Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland
Measurables: 6’3”, 209 lbs / 4.46 40yd / 1.59 10yd / 30” vert / RAS: 7.68
Career Stats: 162 rec., 1,966 rec. yds, 12 TD
Pro Comps: Marvin Jones, Quincy Enunwa, Devaughn Vele
The Broncos add some more wide receiver depth with Maryland’s Kaden Prather. Prather has a big frame and projects to be an X receiver at the next level. He’s a willing and capable run blocker on the edge and has solid hands to help out his quarterback. If size is what Payton is looking for in his receivers, he follows that trend by adding Prather.
6.197 – Jackson Slater, IOL, Sacramento State
Measurables: 6’3”, 311 lbs / 5.01 40yd / 1.78 10yd / 28.5” vert / RAS: 9.43
Career Stats: 44 games, 3 pressures and 0 sacks allowed in 2024
Pro Comps: Richie Incognito, Dylan Parham, Ed Ingram
I doubt Slater would be here in the sixth round, but if he is, this would be a home run selection for the Broncos. They get a potential Ben Powers replacement (or Bolles replacement if they’re brave enough to believe in Slater kicking outside) and great value for a starting NFL guard.
He’s got the length and the speed to be a starter at the next level. He just needs the reps and technique work to improve, as he’s coming from an FCS school.
