Most NFL franchises follow a sine wave, with bursts of success followed by periods of depression. Even the Patriots’ dynasty had a few non-playoff appearances. Unless you’re the Jets, of course, a team that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs in 15 seasons.
The Broncos’ oscillation has been fairly consistent throughout the franchise’s history, never exceeding five seasons since the 1970s. That is, until the most recent Super Bowl appearance back in 2015. After that five-year run, which included two Super Bowl appearances, Denver missed the playoffs in seven straight seasons.
Sean Payton was brought in before the 2023 season, and things immediately began to turn around. Denver improved from 5-12 to 8-9 during Payton’s first season at the helm. Then Payton got his quarterback of the future, Bo Nix, with the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, and Denver finally returned to the playoffs. Last season, the Broncos went 14-3 and were one win away from the Super Bowl.
In the offseason, Denver traded the 30th and 94th overall picks, along with a fourth-round pick swap, for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The draft assets were depleted, but the Broncos are in win-now mode, and Waddle gives Nix a bona fide receiver to throw to.
The Broncos weren’t big players in free agency, focusing primarily on re-signing their players. With most of the high draft capital spent on acquiring Waddle, bolstering depth will likely be the primary mission.
Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft Picks
- Round 2 — 62nd overall
- Round 4 — 108th overall
- Round 4 — 111th overall
- Round 5 — 170th overall
- Round 7 — 246th overall
- Round 7 — 256th overall
- Round 7 — 257th overall
Denver Broncos Team Needs
The Broncos had one of the best defenses in the league last season, posting the third-best EPA per carry and sixth-best EPA per dropback. Denver was second in pressure rate and first in sacks by a wide margin. The 57.8% completion percentage was the second-lowest mark in the league.
In free agency, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers signed with the Tennessee Titans. He had 14.5 combined sacks over the last two seasons with Denver, but Vance Joseph rotates the defensive line plenty, and Franklin-Myers played a tick under 50% of the snaps.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw was signed to a big free agent contract prior to last season, but he was released and is now in San Francisco. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider has the Broncos selecting linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. with the 62nd overall pick. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to Bobby Wagner.
The rest of the unit remains intact, and this should once again be one of the best defenses in the league.
On offense, the Broncos had the best offensive line, per PFF.
The running back group consists of J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin. Harvey was selected with the 60th overall pick in last season’s draft. This is not considered a great draft for running backs, and Payton is comfortable with the options, so it’s unlikely high draft capital will be spent at the position.
The wide receiver depth chart is stacked with Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant.
Jarrett Stidham is a capable backup for Nix at quarterback.
This may be one of the most balanced rosters in the NFL, with few holes to fill.
