DENVER — The Denver Broncos aren’t just relevant; they are dangerous. After a dominant 14-3 regular season and securing the No. 1 seed in 2025, the Mile High City is still recovering from a frigid 10-7 AFC Championship loss to the Patriots. That defeat, played in a blinding Colorado snowstorm, proved that even a roster ranked third in points allowed needs a few more weapons to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. With the Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft approaching, General Manager George Paton is hunting for the finishing touches.
Trading for Jaylen Waddle was a statement. By shipping their first-round pick (No. 30) to Miami, Denver paired Waddle with Courtland Sutton to create a nightmare for defensive coordinators. But championships aren’t won solely on blockbuster trades. They are won by finding the grinders in the middle rounds. As the draft board settles, three names keep surfacing in the halls of Centura Health Training Center—players who fit the “Payton Way” of intelligence and physical dominance.
In a division featuring high-flying passing attacks, a safety with range is a requirement, not a luxury. Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a 6-foot-2, 202-pound ballhawk who plays with a relentless motor. He was a Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2025, racking up five career interceptions and a staggering 10 forced fumbles. His 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the Combine confirmed what the tape already suggested: he can cover grass from sideline to sideline.
Adding McNeil-Warren to a secondary already featuring Patrick Surtain II would be unfair. While Surtain erases the opponent’s best receiver, McNeil-Warren acts as the ultimate insurance policy. He hits like a linebacker and tracks the deep ball with the grace of a veteran. For a Broncos unit that thrives on post-snap disguises, his ability to play multiple roles makes him a top-tier target on Day 2.
If you want to win in January, you have to own the trenches. Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor is the definition of a high-upside investment. Standing 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, Iheanachor didn’t even play football until he moved from Nigeria to the U.S. at age 13. A former basketball standout, his footwork is remarkably fluid for a man of his size. He clocked a 4.91-second 40-yard dash, placing him in the 98th percentile for offensive tackles.
He is still raw—his hand placement can be inconsistent—but the raw tools are undeniable. In 2025, he allowed zero sacks across 12 games for the Sun Devils. Sean Payton values offensive linemen who can mirror edge rushers while maintaining a mean streak in the run game. Iheanachor provides exactly that. He is the kind of developmental piece who could stabilize the right side of the line for a decade.
“We aren’t looking for guys who just fit the roster; we’re looking for guys who improve the culture. We were one play away last year. That stays with you. Every addition we make this spring is about making sure that one play goes our way next time.”
— Sean Payton, Broncos Head Coach
The final piece of the puzzle sits in the middle of the defensive line. Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter is a 325-pound mountain of a man who anchored the nation’s top-ranked rushing defense in 2025. Hunter isn’t just a space-eater; he’s a pocket-collapser. He finished his senior year with 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, proving he can do the dirty work while still pressuring the quarterback.
His 6-foot-9 wingspan allows him to control centers and guards with ease. In Denver’s 3-4 alignment, Hunter would free up linebackers like Alex Singleton to play downhill without being swallowed by blockers. You could almost feel the oxygen leave the stadium when the Broncos’ defense got tired in the fourth quarter of the title game. Hunter ensures that never happens again.
Denver enters the draft without a first-round pick, but they hold the 62nd overall selection and several compensatory picks. The strategy is clear: focus on trench depth and secondary versatility. With Bo Nix entering a crucial year of his development and Waddle stretching the field, the offense is set. If the Broncos can land two of these three sleepers, the road to the Super Bowl will likely run through Denver once again.
