The Situation Room: What Will the Denver Broncos Do in the 1st Round?

Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

With the Denver Broncos’ 2025 NFL Draft right around the corner, it’s great to be writing the first draft-focused article I’ve written in a long time that won’t be focused on a mock draft.

The NFL Draft is the absolute best time of the year, and, since the Broncos hit a home run last year with their first-round pick (and really the whole dang class), I thought it would be a fun exercise to go through the different scenarios we could see play out with Denver’s first-round selection.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a trip through my convoluted mind as we discuss all the different scenarios the Broncos could go through, ranging from the mundane to the extraordinary. Welcome to The Situation Room.

What Could Happen if the Denver Broncos Stay at 20

The Denver Broncos could easily stick at the No. 20 spot, and let the board play out naturally.

Trusting the board and trusting their evaluations of players has worked out for the most part in the Paton Era. He’s selected a Defensive Player of the Year, multiple All-Pros, and Pro-Bowl-caliber players during his tenure, and, with the addition of Payton a couple of years ago, the pre-draft evaluation process got a major bump.

However, this is only the second first-round selection that the Broncos have had in the last four drafts, thanks to the Russell Wilson trade. That blunder necessitated that the Broncos had to nail their first-round pick, and they did precisely that by drafting Bo Nix — seemingly the quarterback of the future.

Without the need to reach for a quarterback, they can comfortably sit back and let the board fall to them, even though they’re selecting eight slots later than they did a season ago. 

So, let’s take a look at some of the situations the Denver Broncos could find themselves in if they hold onto the 20th overall pick.

*Note: For this exercise, I utilized the PFF Mock Draft Simulator

Situation 1: The Denver Broncos select…a Running Back
Running Back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Running Back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

In case you haven’t heard the good word, this year’s class of running backs is quite the crop. The top two guys, Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, are long gone in this scenario and the five best options for the Denver Broncos are:

  1. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
  2. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio St.
  3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio St.
  4. Cam Skattebo, Arizona St.
  5. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

Much of Broncos Country has already, understandably, talked themselves into taking one of those running backs here. If Broncos ultimately like Johnson, Henderson or Judkins were worth the pick at 20, any of those picks would be a quality selection.

That said, Johnson seems like the best fit of that bunch for what Payton has been prioritizing in the run game during his time in Denver.

In his two seasons as the Broncos head coach and offensive play-caller, Payton’s run game has been zone-centric, with 389 zone runs to 300 gap runs.

While I’ve been quite vocal about the need to call more gap runs, that was based more on the personnel Payton was working with, not so much just the type of calls altogether. Javonte Williams and Audric Estime were not very good zone runners, but Payton insisted on running them in zone concepts with very little success. 

A selection like Johnson would supercharge the run game without Payton having to change his play calls.

In his collegiate career, Johnson ran 376 zone plays to 128 gap plays, and he thrived in that offense, making him an easy production as a lead back in a zone-heavy scheme.

Johnson also accumulated 30 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons at Iowa, with 21 of them coming this last season.

If Jeanty and Hampton have already come off the board, and Denver is still locked in on running back, Johnson should be the target in the first round.

Situation 2: The Denver Broncos select…a Tight End

If, by some act of God, Tyler Warren is still on the board at 20th overall, Sean Payton might pull a ‘Stanley Hudson on Pretzel Day’ and briskly deliver the card himself to Roger Goodell before he can finish saying, “the Denver Broncos are now on the clock.”

That said, while it’s hard to imagine a world where Warren falls there, if Michigan’s Colston Loveland is available, he could still be a great selection there. 

He’s got the potential to be a starting Y TE in the league, as his blocking should come along with time and reps, and in the meantime, he’s useful as a mismatch option the same way Evan Engram will be for the Broncos. His size (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) and route running make him a nightmare for linebackers and smaller defenders.

In the 2024 season, Loveland had 110 snaps from the slot, 75 inline, and 43 out wide, meaning he has the versatility that Coach Payton covets.

If all the first-round tight ends are off the board, though, it won’t be a big loss for the Broncos, despite their clear interest in drafting a tight end, given the players they’ve brought in for visits. LSU’s Mason Taylor, Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden, and Texas’ Gunnar Helm are all serviceable options past round one and could develop into what Payton is looking for at that position.

Situation 3: The Denver Broncos select…a Defensive Lineman
Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) during the college football game between the Mississippi Rebels and Arkansas Razorbacks on November 2, 2024, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 02: Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) during the college football game between the Mississippi Rebels and Arkansas Razorbacks on November 2, 2024, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire)

The Denver Broncos’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills was an eye-opener for this defense.

The reality is that most of the better teams across the league have been loading up on big, powerful men on the interior of their defensive lines. The Super Bowl showed that if you can win up front with overwhelming athletes, you don’t need to blitz so much to put pressure on the quarterback.

This class has a bountiful crop of interior guys that could provide a much-needed boost for the Broncos. Bringing back D.J. Jones was an excellent move based on his performance last year, but Zach Allen has yet to be re-signed and both Malcolm Roach and John Franklin-Myers will be free agents after this season.

Depth is an issue, but they also need to have a gameplan for the future. Deciding to take a defensive lineman here would probably be the best move for the Denver Broncos’ success now and throughout the coming years.

Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen, Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, Toledo’s Darius Alexander, and Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams could very well all be available when the Broncos are on the clock. Alexander and Williams might be a reach at 20th overall, while Grant seems likely to be gone before 20, so let’s focus on Harmon and Nolen, specifically here.

Harmon had solid production in 2024 for the Ducks, leading college football in total pressures among defensive linemen and total hurries with 39.

At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, Harmon brings the needed beef and explosiveness to the defensive front, as well as being a proficient run defender.

The upside with Nolen is that he is still such a young prospect, at just 21 years old, and was viewed as a similar caliber of prospect to Travis Hunter when the two were coming out of high school.

While there have been some notes of off-field attitude issues and coachability concerns, this dude could be a force on the defensive front. Nolen finished his 2024 campaign with 30 pressures, 22 hurries, and six sacks. Along with being a solid pass rush guy from the interior, he was one of the better run defenders in the interior. Nolen was fifth among draft-eligible defensive linemen in stop percentage and had an average depth of tackle of 1.3 yards.

If Sean Payton and his staff can properly mold this young talent, he could be a massive get for the Denver Broncos that sets them up to let Franklin-Myers or Roach leave without any issue. 

Situation 4: The Denver Broncos select…a Wide Receiver

Much has been made about the Broncos’ wide receivers this offseason, and with good reason.

Courtland Sutton had another solid season, despite Denver moving from Russell Wilson to Bo Nix; Marvin Mims had somewhat of a breakout year as a gadget player, but failed to impress as a true Z receiver in Sean Payton’s scheme; Josh Reynolds didn’t pan out due to unforeseen circumstances; elderly 26-year-old rookie Devaughn Vele showed flashes of long-term starter upside; and rookie Troy Franklin still has a lot of growing to do at the NFL level before he can be an effective weapon.

As it stands, this team still needs to add a Z receiver to the room. Courtland Sutton is an X receiver, and each of Denver’s other promising pass-catchers has had their best production in the slot. Thankfully, the Broncos are clearly aware of this concern, given the rumored interest in adding veterans like Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, and even Brandin Cooks. 

The addition of Evan Engram was a pseudo-wide receiver signing, as he isn’t your prototypical tight end, but even then, he’ll be played heavily in the slot. He will likely be used in Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s role as the receiver that Payton uses closer to the line and as a mismatch guy. He doesn’t solve the ‘Case of the Missing Z.’

Picking a receiver 20th overall definitely shouldn’t be out of the question. 

That’s especially true considering Sutton’s contract. He is still under contract for this season, and they are working towards an extension, according to multiple reports, but nothing has been signed at this point, and a divorce is possible.

If Sutton was traded, the Broncos could look at getting another X in this offense. Vele is rumored to be the on-roster replacement at the X position, but he still has some growth to do before that happens, so Denver might want to target a receiver in the draft who could thrive at the X immediately. 

So, if the Broncos are looking at a receiver at 20th overall, they could add either a X or a Z receiver.

Some of the options would be Missouri’s Luther Burden III, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor, TCU’s Jack Bech, and Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins. Notable ommissions, like Texas’ Matthew Golden and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, are already off the board by the 20th pick in the exercise, but would have to be considered if still available.

Burden and Bech project best in that Z receiver role, while Higgins and Ayomanor would be more of the X archetype of receiver. Egbuka stands out as a versatile player who could thrive in multiple roles in the offense.

If the Broncos selected Egbuka at 20th overall, it would bring an instant upgrade to the offense and give Nix a secure option who can work extremely well from the slot while offering a potential solution at the Z.

Payton has prioritized finding receivers who show great effort in their blocking, and Egbuka is probably the best option of that aforementioned group of receivers in terms of downfield blocking effort.

So many of the massive runs and successful screens from Chip Kelly’s offense at Ohio State got opened up, thanks to his strong blocking on the perimeter. If the Broncos want to find a receiver who can win in the slot and do the dirty work, Egbuka would be a phenomenal addition.

Situation 5: The Denver Broncos select…a Defensive Back?
Mississippi Rebels cornerback Trey Amos (9) lines up for a play during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Duke Blue Devils on January 2, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 02: Mississippi Rebels cornerback Trey Amos (9) lines up for a play during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Duke Blue Devils on January 2, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Phew, could you imagine the discourse we would have to wade through if they did this?

After signing Talanoa Hufanga in free agency and Riley Moss’s successful 2024 season, the Broncos’ secondary has a bright future ahead. However, depth is lacking and, with the injury history of Hufanga, Moss, and Brandon Jones (missed two games in 2024, torn ACL in 2022, hamstring injury kept him out of training camp last season), it would be risky for the Broncos to simply rely on their current depth on the backend. 

J.L. Skinner was fantastic as a special teamer last season, but only saw six snaps on defense; Damarri Mathis is going into the final year of his contract and also saw limited time on defense over eight games last season; Devon Key was up and down, but another guy who hasn’t seen a ton of snaps; and Rookie Kris Abrams-Draine was inactive most of the season, but showed a ton of promise as an outside option at cornerback.

P.J. Locke did enough as a starter but was regularly picked on in coverage, giving up 311 receiving yards and a 132.7 passer rating on 38 targets. Locke could still be a serviceable backup and rotational option, but Denver could still look to add someone they could develop into a long-term starter in the secondary.

There are some intriguing options for the Broncos with the 20th overall pick if they decide to go with a defensive back.

In a dream scenario, both Malaki Starks and Nick Emmanwori are there and we get to see Sean Payton and George Paton arm wrestle for which guy they want. Realistically, Emmanwori might be available at twenty, but is he a fit for this team? The underdeveloped super athlete has some real Isaiah Simmons vibes, and that’s worrisome, considering Vance Joseph’s inability to develop that selection in Arizona.

Another versatile defensive back who might be on Denver’s radar in this situation is Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts. Watts played all over the field for the Fighting Irish, logging 466 snaps in a deep alignment, 306 snaps in the box, and 174 snaps in the slot.

He finished 2024 with six interceptions and four pass breakups while allowing an astonishingly low 30.1 passer rating over the 32 times opposing quarterbacks dared to look his way. Versatility, ball skills, and some blitzing potential (seven pressures and one sack in 2024)? Could be an interesting selection for Vance Joseph and provides crucial depth as an eventual starter. 

What if they took another corner to boost that room instead of focusing on the future at safety? Well, it would depend on what they’re looking for.

They likely feel pretty comfortable with Moss as one of their starters on the boundary after the season he just had, but it never hurts to add talent to the room. Ole Miss corner Trey Amos would be a fun addition to the cornerback room. A former Louisiana-Lafayette and Alabama player, Amos had a nice 2024 campaign with the Rebels and has tantalizing traits. 

At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he provides an ideal build for an outside cornerback and showcased great athleticism both on his collegiate tape and throughout the draft process. He’s got great instincts breaking on routes, is physical at the line of scrimmage, and has shown great ball skills throughout his college career, tallying 25 pass breakups (10 in 2024) and four interceptions (3 in 2024).

If Amos was the pick at 20th overall, it could force Moss inside, but having a trio of Surtain/Amos/Moss on the outside wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Situation 6: The Denver Broncos…Go off the Rails?

What would happen if the Broncos stuck with their current first-round pick but took a player that no one thought they would take in the first round? We can all agree that running back, wide receiver, defensive line, and tight end are their biggest needs, but what if the team just goes completely off-script? 

Imagine if the name called on draft night is not one of those sexy positions, but rather one that would cause mayhem amongst the fans. What would cause that reaction?

The Broncos could potentially be looking at an interior offensive lineman to come in and upgrade the center position or take over for Ben Powers at guard. A guy like Donovan Jackson from Ohio State, who has potential at guard but could also transition to tackle down the road, would also make sense.

They’ll likely address the offensive line at some point in this class, and with Sean Payton’s uniquely aggressive nature and his emphasis on building up the trenches, which is supported by his draft record, the Broncos could definitely add an offensive lineman with their first pick. 

Since becoming the Saints’ head coach in 2006, Payton has taken an offensive lineman in all but three of his draft classes (four, if you count the suspension year) and is not afraid of drafting interior linemen early. In 2019, the Saints selected Erik McCoy with the 48th pick after trading up and he also drafted Cesar Ruiz in with the 24th overall pick in 2020.

By doing this, Payton solidified the interior to go along with his other offensive line selections. The opportunity could present itself, with Ben Powers’ contract coming up soon, as well as the need to upgrade the center position and potentially find a development replacement for Garett Bolles down the road.

They could also add to their already dangerous edge defender room by taking a toolsy, athletic freak like Shemar Stewart or Mykel Williams. What if they said, “fuck it” and took a linebacker to pair with Dre Greenlaw? 

Ultimately, this is a situation that almost certainly won’t happen, but it still requires discussion. Plus, even if it does happen, at least it’s not a quarterback.

Situation 7: The Denver Broncos…REACH?

When it comes to the NFL Draft, nothing is for certain. Throughout the draft process, fans get caught up falling in love with players who the team might or might not see the same way.

That said, there are situations where a team will take a prospect at a position of need that is not very highly regarded by experts and scouts, where the player fails to live up to expectations or becomes a full-on bust.

For this draft, an example of this might be if the Broncos took a tight end in the first round that wasn’t one of the two we discussed in-depth. Could you imagine if they took Terrance Ferguson at 20?

What if they took a guy like Texas IDL Alfred Collins in the first round, a la Sylvester Williams? While I fully believe in Paton and Payton, this is still a real possibility. Remember when Payton took Marcus Davenport 14th overall in 2018 or Payton Turner 28th overall in 2021? It could still happen, but let’s hope and pray that it doesn’t.

What Could Happen if the Denver Broncos Trade Back

Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) pressures Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
EUGENE, OR – SEPTEMBER 07: Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) pressures Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

Trading back from the 20th overall pick makes a ton of sense for the Denver Broncos in this draft. The talent level isn’t nearly as high as it is in most other classes, but there is still a healthy chance of the right player forcing a desperate team to make a move.

Even with this being a shallow draft that might only have 15 players worthy of a first-round grade, a team might choose to aggressively pursue that top shelf of talent before it drops off. If Denver’s board doesn’t have any of those few first-round prospects left on their board and a team wants to make a move up, there’s an opportunity for them to grab an additional top-100 pick or picks that better take advantage of where the value is in the draft.

Trading back could also help the Broncos avoid the classic “reach” pick.

Plus, with this year’s collection of talent in the draft, Denver could likely trade back and still pursue a high-end option at one of their primary positions of need — running back, tight end, wide receiver, and defensive line.

As discussed earlier, another option that could make sense is addressing the offensive line by either attempting to upgrade the interior offensive line or trying to find a future starter at tackle, and these avenues would still be on the table following a trade down.

Now let’s take a look at three possible trade-back scenarios for the Broncos in the 2025 NFL Draft:

Situation #1: Trade Back With the Houston Texans (25th overall)

Compensation: Denver receives Houston’s first-round selection (pick No. 25), third-round selection (pick No. 89) and their fourth-round selection in 2026, in exchange for the Broncos’ first-round selection (pick No. 20).

In this first scenario, the Houston Texans call and want to move up in order to find a replacement for Laremy Tunsil, who they shipped off to Washington in a massive deal. Denver snags the 89th overall pick, as well as a 2026 fourth-round selection in this scenario. Based on the simulation, here’s what the “top five prospects” on the board would look like after the trade:

  1. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
  2. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
  3. Derrick Harmon, IDL, Oregon
  4. Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo
  5. Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss

Burden is a player a lot of Broncos fans would love to see in Denver, especially with the talk of adding a J-word to Payton’s offense.

There’s also an intriguing opportunity to bolster the offensive line with an eye on the future by taking Banks, who could be a long-term replacement for Bolles or Mike McGlinchey.

Then there’s the defensive line, featuring Harmon and Nolen, who were already discussed as legitimate options for the 20th selection. Harmon would be an excellent add here and would give them that extra bit of beef they’re looking for on the defensive front. An elite-level pass rusher with a ton of twitch, Harmon could add the necessary depth to this defensive front. With John Franklin-Myers going into the final year of his deal with no extension on the table yet, Harmon could be a rotational guy in year one before taking on a bigger role down the road. During the draft process Nolen has said he wants to be like former Rams great Aaron Donald, and with his stout, powerful interior presence, that’s not as far-fetched as it might seem at first. The age and the fact he would be a cost-controlled player for the next few years is also certainly something to consider.

Situation #2: Trade Back With the New York Giants (34th overall)
exas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) puts heavy pressure on Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) during second half action during the football game between the Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies on October 5, 2024, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
COLLEGE STATION, TX – OCTOBER 05: Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) puts heavy pressure on Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) during second half action during the football game between the Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies on October 5, 2024, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire)

Compensation: Denver receives New York’s second-round selection (pick No. 34), third-round selection (pick No. 65) and their third-round selection in 2026, in exchange for the Broncos’ first-round selection (pick No. 20) and their fourth-round selection in 2026.

This scenario would see the Giants trading back into the first round to draft Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders with the 20th overall pick, if he fell in the first round. Now, that probably won’t happen, but that’s why it’s fun to play pretend!

In this scenario, Denver sends the 20th overall pick and their fourth-round pick in next year’s draft and gets two more top 100 picks in this class, as well as a potential top-100 pick in next year’s class. After trading out of the first and getting to the 34th pick, here’s the “top five prospects” on the board:

  1. Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo
  2. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
  3. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
  4. Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
  5. Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon

With trading out of the first round, this board probably doesn’t excite most Broncos fans, but there’s still some promise in these prospects. With a need at center, as well as the potential need for a tackle or guard coming up in the next year or so, this is an area where the Broncos could add a potential starter somewhere on the offensive line.

Zabel is a five-position player across the line and could be an upgrade at center, or at guard once Ben Powers is no longer on the team. Conerly, Bo Nix’s former teammate at Oregon, could be a Bolles replacement or even slide inside at guard to Powers for a season or so, if necessary. 

South Carolina’s Demetrius Knight, Jr. is another very intriguing prospect here.

With Alex Singleton coming off his ACL injury on the final year of his deal, linebacker is still an area of need for the Broncos, even after the free agency signing of Dre Greenlaw and the return of Justin Strnad. Adding another backer in the draft would be a smart move by the Broncos, and Sean Payton isn’t afraid to draft at the position either, as he’s already targeted it several times in the past.

Knight will be one of the oldest prospects in this class, but this isn’t necessarily a knock on the player. He has valuable experience at the college level while playing in a defensive scheme that translates well to the next level. He is also a fundamentally strong player, due to that experience, making him a coach’s dream.

He showed he could play off-ball, with high processing skills and athleticism in coverage. Among this year’s eligible linebackers who played at least 92 coverage snaps, Knight ranked 20th in NCAA for passer rating when thrown to, allowing a 67.8 passer rating.

With questions about Drew Sanders’ ability to play inside, there’s still more to desire from the linebacker room in Denver, and Knight could be a fun add.

Situation #3: Trade Back With the Buffalo Bills (30th overall)

Compensation: Denver receives Buffalo’s first-round selection (pick No. 30), second-round selection (pick No. 62), sixth-round selection (pick No. 177) and their fourth-round selection in 2026, in exchange for the Broncos’ first-round selection (pick No. 20), sixth-round selection (pick No. 121) and their fifth-round selection in 2026.

The Buffalo Bills can’t allow another season to go by without adding a star receiver for Josh Allen, and none of their current weapons fit the bill. In this scenario, Buffalo spends a little bit to trade up and take Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka. After trading down, some options on the board that make a lot of sense for the Broncos are:

  1. Derrick Harmon, IDL Oregon
  2. TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
  3. Grey Zabel, OL North Dakota State
  4. Shavon Revel, CB Eastern Carolina
  5. Walter Nolen, IDL Ole Miss

Drafting running backs in round one is widely frowned upon, but it might be a move they have to make if their guy is there. Sean Payton isn’t afraid to take a running back in the first round, especially if he has “a guy”, as demonstrated by his Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram selections.

He’s been vocal this offseason about the type of player he wants to add this offseason and Henderson pretty much checks off everything he typically wants from the position. Mismatch in the passing game? Check. Strong pass protector? Check. Effective route runner? Check. Soft hands? Check. High-effort runner? Check.

I’d have zero issues with the Broncos taking Henderson here, but I know a lot of people would have some not-so-nice things to say about it. 

One name on this list that might raise some eyebrows is Shavon Revel, the cornerback from Eastern Carolina. Despite coming off an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season, Revel should still be considered one of the top corners in this class. Drafting him would be a high-risk, high-reward selection, but one that could support the Broncos’ secondary for years to come.

Revel is an explosive athlete and strong press corner, but he has only one year as a starter under his belt. Riley Moss was a sight to see in his first year as a starter in Denver, although an injury in the middle of his season and a rough game against Tee Higgins cooled off his hot season.

Adding Revel into this room doesn’t necessarily mean the end for Riley Moss but adding another cost-controlled, elite talent at that position could be a good thing as the price for cornerbacks continues to trend upwards.

What Could Happen if the Denver Broncos Trade Up?

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
EUGENE, OR – SEPTEMBER 07: Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

While trading up in the 2025 NFL Draft hasn’t been widely discussed in Broncos Country so far, an aggressive swing in the first round could make a lot of sense, as this team is clearly ready to take that next jump after making the playoffs in 2024.

The biggest factors holding Denver’s offense back from realizing its high-end potential are the lack of a strong running game and the absence of a tight end who can create after the catch. While it’s true that they could target free agents at both running back and tight end, there’s some incredible top-end talent at both of those positions in this class worth paying the premium for.

Players like Tyler Warren, Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, and Colston Loveland could be game-changers for this offense. The only problem is that if Coach Payton wants one of those guys, he might have to jump some teams to get one of them. With the Chicago Bears’ recent movement in building their offensive line, running back seems to be a position they may target to help their own second-year quarterback, and both the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders have also been regularly tied to the top backs in the class. 

Just like my earlier statement about Payton potentially taking an offensive lineman with a trade down, this is all purely speculation because we have to think about every scenario! If Payton sees that Chicago is primed and ready to take Jeanty at tenth overall, there’s a chance he could call his old organization and ask for a favor, a la The Godfather. There’s also the possibility that the Raiders, who currently have the sixth overall pick, could take the first back off the board as well. This puts the Broncos in an interesting spot.

Broncos Country would lose their collective minds over this, but it would potentially be transformative for the offense to get any of these players who might otherwise go before Denver is on the clock. Teams like Atlanta, Seattle, and, hell, even Indianapolis could be looking to move back and get some more draft assets and enable Denver’s dream, but let’s focus on Jacksonville at five and New Orleans at nine. 

What would it cost to make a massive 11-spot jump up to the ninth pick? A package to move up that far would likely cost Denver their first-round pick this year (20th overall), their third-round pick this year, and their second-round and fourth-round picks in 2026.

Four potential players for one stud running back.

A jump into the top five would cost even more, with potentially an additional future second-round pick being shipped off.

It would be time to ready the torches and pitchforks because Broncos Country would treat Sean Payton like an ogre. Does that make George Paton the donkey, or…? 

Although trading up would be costly, the Broncos would have the potential to recoup some picks if they traded down from their second-round pick. Picking up a handful of later picks might not make up for their other draft capital losses, but it could still take a bite out of that deficit.

One scenario the mock draft simulator spit out for Denver was trading up to fifth overall with Jacksonville, and then trading back from 51st overall to 53rd overall with Tampa Bay to secure a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

We’re not likely to see a pair of trades like this, but it also can’t be ruled out until the draft officially begins. So, let’s take a deeper look at how these scenarios could play out for the Broncos.

Situation #1: Trade Up With the Jacksonville Jaguars (5th overall)

Compensation: Denver receives Jacksonville’s first-round selection (pick No. 5) in exchange for the Broncos’ first-round selection (pick No. 20), third-round selection (pick No. 85), their second and fourth-round selections in 2026, and their second-round selection in 2027.

If the Denver Broncos went to Ashton Jeanty’s pro day in Boise and came away convinced that he’s the real deal, this scenario might be the only way they get the Heisman finalist. It would probably send Broncos Country into DEFCON 1, but it wouldn’t be the craziest thing George Paton has ever done.

Jeanty’s college tape certainly matches up with the Heisman hype and the RB1 label in this draft class. He’s an unbelievable talent with the ball in his hands, can work in either gap or zone run schemes, can run clean routes out of the backfield, and has one of the best overall skillsets from a running back we’ve seen in recent years.

If Paton and Payton see Jeanty as being “worth it”, then Broncos Country should trust their judgment. It might take a little time, but once we see that first Jeanty touchdown in a Denver Broncos uniform, fans will settle down a bit.

Situation #2: Trade w/ NO – DEN acquires 1.09 and 7.248 for 1.20, 3.85, 6.197, 2026 3rd, 2027 3rd to select Tyler Warren

Compensation: Denver receives New Orleans’ first-round selection (pick No. 9) and seventh-round selection (pick No. 248) in exchange for the Broncos’ first-round selection (pick No. 20), third-round selection (pick No. 85), sixth-round selection (pick No. 197), their third-round selection in 2026, and their third-round selection in 2027.

By signing Evan Engram in free agency, Denver added a legitimate receiving threat to the offense. However, Engram will likely be more of a mismatch weapon in certain personnel groups than a true tight end.

His inline blocking leaves a ton to be desired, and his age and injury history could be a factor during the season, even though he’ll certainly add another element to this offense that they were missing last season. 

While there’s a lot to like about signing Engram, the team is still in need of a more traditional tight end for the post-Trautman era.

Tyler Warren not only solves the future tight end issue, but would give Payton a true J-word role player. Many figured it was going to be Engram, but Engram doesn’t quite fit the definition of the role. Warren could play inline, flexed, as a sniffer, out of the backfield, and even take snaps at quarterback, considering that’s his former position.

Sound familiar?

This trade isn’t as crazy as the Jeanty one, but it would still be a sizable move. Perhaps Payton could get a friendly discount from his former organization? Fat chance for a move into the top ten, but it is worth a try.

If you made it to the end of this, thank you so much for supporting my work and Let’s Talk Broncos. Comment down below what you think the best situation is for the Broncos!

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Patrick Chiotti