The Denver Broncos were eliminated from the postseason on Sunday, 31-7 to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. The Broncos can consider this season a success, ultimately overachieving in 2024. This offseason will be about surrounding rookie quarterback Bo Nix with more talent.
As they begin focusing on improving their roster, the Broncos own the No. 20 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Finding instant contributors is necessary. We conducted a seven-round mock draft that achieves that.
Round 1 (No. 20 overall): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
This offseason will be about pouring resources into Nix's development. Drafting a high-volume pass-catcher would help Nix showcase sophomore improvement. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren would be a fantastic fit in Sean Payton's offense. Warren was outstanding throughout the College Football Playoff, establishing himself as the best tight end in the draft through rare athleticism, ball skills, and yards-after-catch ability.
Round 2 (No. 51 overall): Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Javonte Williams is slated for free agency and the Broncos should attempt to upgrade. Improving a ground attack that finished a middling 16th during the regular season (112.2/game) would make Nix's developmental track even easier. Dylan Sampson would immediately replace Williams by forming an effective duo alongside Audric Estime. Short-area quickness and contact balance make Sampson a highly intriguing prospect.
Round 3 (No. 85 overall): Billy Bowman Jr., SAF, Oklahoma
Both starting safeties P.J. Locke and Brandon Jones are under contract through next season but there’s room to add depth and competition here. The Broncos don’t have any young safeties worth developing behind Locke, who is nothing more than a league-average starter. Billy Bowman Jr. is an experienced safety prospect with a ton of production, using his playmaking ball skills to make game-changing plays.
Round 4 (No. 120 overall): Carson Scheswinger, LB, UCLA
Linebacker is another secondary need on Vance Joseph’s excellent defense. Starters Cody Barton and Justin Strnad are scheduled for unrestricted free agency. Carson Schwesinger is an underrated off-ball linebacker, using instincts and a violent downhill trigger to enjoy a breakout season in 2024, totaling an unfathomable 136 tackles.
Round 6 (No. 189 overall): Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Courtland Sutton enjoyed another 1,000-yard season and there are a few young, developmental receivers behind him such as Marvin Mims Jr., DeVaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin. The Broncos won't draft a wideout before day three. If they further address the position at all, UNLV's Ricky White fits Payton's scheme. White recorded his second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign in 2024, using straight-line speed to threaten the vertical plane.
Round 6 (No. 195 overall): Jaylin Smith, CB, USC
The Broncos could use one of their three sixth-round selections to add cornerback depth behind Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Ja'Quan McMillan. USC's Jaylin Smith is a veteran corner prospect with some inside-outside versatility. Smith totaled 181 tackles in three seasons as a contributor, with two interceptions this season.
Round 6 (No. 204 overall): Jamaree Caldwell, DL, Oregon
The Broncos are incredibly deep on the defensive line, and they should retain D.J. Jones, who played on an expiring contract. Simply looking for back-end depth, they draft Jamaree Caldwell with their final selection. Caldwell could play nose tackle in Joseph's system, with a 340-pound frame that helped him total 4.5 tackles for loss this past season after transferring to the program from Houston.
