The NFL Draft is just about upon us with the first-round picks coming down Thursday night in Detroit.
So, what are the Broncos going to do? Stay at No. 12 or trade up or down? After trading for Zach Wilson, will they look to target another quarterback?
Here’s a look at who national draftniks are thinking will land in Denver.
CBS Sports | Garrett Podell | Updated April 23
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) defends Mississippi State wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Alabama won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
“Terrion Arnold is the hands-down top defensive back in this class, and he goes to a team that already has a Pro Bowl corner in Pat Surtain II. At 6-foot and weighing 196 pounds, Arnold won consistently in the SEC. The first-team All-American co-led the conference with five interceptions and led the entire SEC in targets ending with an incompletion (43). Arnold also didn’t allow a touchdown on 445 coverage snaps last season. Denver’s secondary will likely take a step back after releasing Justin Simmons. Arnold can help soften his absence, an ability he highlighted with the Crimson Tide,” Podell writes. See the full mock draft.
Boston Herald | Andrew Callahan | Updated April 23
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs the ball after a catch against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (George Walker IV, The Associated Press)
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
“Denver whiffs on the top quarterbacks, but lands arguably a top-5 overall talent in Bowers. Of note: this was Broncos GM George Paton at the combine: ‘I don’t want to give all our needs, but we need to solidify the tight end position. … We need a weapon in the middle of the field. (I) felt like we missed that.’” Callahan writes. See the full mock draft.
Los Angeles Times | Sam Farmer with reporters around the country | Updated April 22
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch as Mississippi safety Nick Cull (29) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
“There is a gravitational pull to take Bo Nix, but the value is not there at 12. Instead, coach Sean Payton takes a player who can be a joker — a wild card — in his offense and provide much-needed yards in the middle of field for years to come,” Denver Post columnist Troy Renck writes. See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates | Updated April 15
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
“To take a quarterback or not? That’s a dilemma I’m sure Denver is weighing heavily. Ultimately, it felt a little too soon for me, and Bowers is a special prospect. He would instantly upgrade the entire passing game, no matter who is throwing the ball,” Kiper writes. See the full mock draft (subscription).
Other Broncos picks:
Third round, 76th pick: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Yahoo! Sports | Charles McDonald and Nate Tice | Updated April 23
Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
“What head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos decide to do this draft is anyone’s guess. They could address any position in the first round and I would understand why they did so. In this current situation, Payton decides to juice up his pass catchers with Bowers, a different kind of mismatch player than Jimmy Graham, but a player with whom Payton will have a field day in moving around the formation and creating matchup advantages,” Tice writes. See the full mock draft.
The Athletic | Dane Brugler | Updated April 17
Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (Young Kwak, The Associated Press)
Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon
“With Garett Bolles entering the final year of his deal, the Broncos have done plenty of homework on the tackles in this draft class. Fuaga can compete for a spot at guard as a rookie while being the long-term plan at tackle,” Brugler writes. See the full mock draft (subscription).
Other Broncos picks:
Third round, 76th pick: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Fourth round, 121st pick: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Fifth round, 136th pick: Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State
Fifth round, 145th pick: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Fifth round, 147th pick: Fabien Lovett Sr., DT, Florida State
Sixth round, 203rd pick: Jacob Monk, C, Duke
Sixth round 207th pick: Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
Fox Sports | Rob Rang | Updated April 23
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy passes against Washington during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Broncos acquire No. 5 pick from Chargers for No. 12 and next year’s first-round pick.
“The first real fireworks of the draft come with a rare intradivision trade, with the Broncos shipping the No. 12 overall selection as well as their first-round pick next year to the Chargers, providing Sean Payton with the perfect quarterback for his offense,” Rang writes. See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Ed Edholm | Updated April 22
Quarterback Bo Nix of the Oregon Ducks speaks with the media following the Fiesta Bowl against the Liberty Flames at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 01, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Broncos acquire No. 22 pick from Eagles for No. 12 and a second-round pick.
“The public discourse around Nix varies. Some people think he fits nicely in Denver. Others don’t think it would work quite as well. Most people seem to think Round 2 is more likely for Nix. That feels right to me, too, but if Penix goes as high as he does in this mock, the Broncos might not want to risk another team swooping in for Nix. They’re clearly a tough team to peg right now. But one way or another, the Broncos are getting a quarterback, and I don’t foresee them getting too precious about it,” Edholm writes. See the full mock draft.
The Sporting News | Vinnie Iyer | Updated April 22
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws during the first half on the NCAA Fiesta Bowl college football game against Liberty, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“Nix wore No. 10 with the Ducks, but he should consider wearing No. 9 in the NFL considering two of the main comparisons for him based on his combination of accuracy and athleticism are Drew Brees (6-0, 209 pounds) and Tony Romo (6-2, 230 pounds). His frame is more like the latter, but it’s no wonder he’s been tied to Brees’ former coach Sean Payton, also a fellow former Eastern Illinois QB like Romo,” Iyer writes. See the full mock draft.
Sports Illustrated | Conor Orr | Updated April 23
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass against Hawaii during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Broncos acquire No. 10 pick from Chargers (via Jets) for No. 12 and more.
“Here’s the first absolute stunner of the NFL draft. I see everyone with Bo Nix as an early second-round pick, but I think he offers Sean Payton something unique: Nix is ready now. He’s not going to have the same kind of rookie learning curve. He’s matured. He’s also incredibly developed as a passer and set the NCAA record for completion percentage a year ago. While we don’t know next year’s class of quarterbacks that well, I think that’s part of the problem. So who is to say the Broncos will have a better shot?” Orr writes.
ESPN | Jordan Reid | Updated April 22
Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium Sept. 23, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Broncos acquire Nos. 22, 50 and 161 picks from Eagles for No. 12.
“The correlation between Nix’s skill set and that of QBs who have played under Denver coach Sean Payton is impossible to ignore. Nix is accurate, poised and decisive — all traits Payton covets. I would be shocked if Denver enters next season with just Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci at the position, and it’s clear neither is the long-term answer under center. After the trade back, this a more reasonable range for Nix, and it’s a big win for the Broncos. They can land a great scheme fit at QB and add a pick in Round 2, where they currently don’t have any selections,” Reid writes. See the full mock draft (subscription).
Other Broncos picks:
Second round, 50th pick: Chris Braswell, edge, Alabama
Third round, 76th pick: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
Fourth round, 121st pick: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Fifth round, 136th pick: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Fifth round, 145th pick: Justin Eboigbe, DT, Alabama
Fifth round, 147th pick: Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
Fifth round, 161st pick: Tylan Grable, OT, UCF
Sixth round, 207th pick: Khalid Duke, edge, Kansas State
Seventh round, 256th pick: Gottlieb Ayedze, OT, Maryland
CBS Sports | R.J. White | Updated April 23
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass against Cal during the first quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Broncos acquire Nos. 27 and 35 picks from Cardinals for No. 12 pick
“The Broncos picked up the 27th and 35th picks from the Cardinals in order to move down from No. 12, and while Nix’s stock suggests they can wait until the latter to select him, I don’t think they risk it, especially with Verse coming off the board right before their pick as the obvious pivot. The Broncos have remained the heavy favorite to land Nix in betting markets despite not having a second-round pick thanks to his potential fit in Sean Payton’s offense, and this is a way for that to happen without reaching at No. 12,” White writes. See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Ryan Wilson | Updated April 23
Michael Penix Jr. of the Washington Huskies participates in warmups prior to the 2024 CFP National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at NRG Stadium on Jan. 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
“The teams I’ve spoken with think Penix Jr. would be a steal in the second round but aren’t sure if he’ll sneak into Round 1. I feel like he’s too good to pass up in the middle of the round here, especially with Denver’s glaring need at quarterback — and playing in a division that includes Mahomes and Herbert … and with the understanding that the other team in the division, the Raiders, are on the clock next. There’s no better deep-ball thrower in this class than Penix, and when I spoke with Rome Odunze and Troy Fautanu during the pre-draft process, neither could understand why we weren’t talking about Penix as a slam-dunk top-32 selection. I agree with them,” Wilson writes. See the full mock draft.
Pro Football Focus | Gordon McGuinness | Updated April 23
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after stopping Georgia’s offense during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Mike Stewart, The Associated Press)
Dallas Turner, edge, Alabama
“Turner earned an 89.3 PFF pass-rush grade in 2023, racking up 55 total pressures (including 22 combined sacks and hits) from 292 pass-rushing snaps. He’s also a phenomenal athlete, putting up a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash and impressive vertical and broad jumps. At just 21, there’s so much room for him to grow, and he has the production and athletic profile to make you think he can be a special player,” McGuinness writes. See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Bucky Brooks | Updated April 23
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse reacts after a play during the second half of the team’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Louisville, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
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Jared Verse, edge, Florida State
“Sean Payton’s essentially rebuilding the Broncos from scratch, and a premier pass rusher is a critical need. Verse is an energetic QB hunter with the potential to rack up double-digit sacks in the NFL,” Brooks writes. See the full mock draft.
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