Full Breakdown
Denver Broncos' 2026 Draft: Navigating a Pickless Start
4/27/2026, 9:45:42 PM
Draft Overview and Waddle Trade
The Broncos entered the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick after trading the No. 30 overall and a third-round selection to Miami for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Their first selection came at No. 66, defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M). The remaining picks were RB Jonah Coleman (Washington, No. 108), OT Kage Casey (Boise State, No. 111), TE Justin Joly (NC State, No. 152), S Miles Scott (Illinois, No. 246), TE Dallen Bentley (Utah, No. 256) and LB Red Murdock (Buffalo, No. 257).
Selections, Grades, and Statistics
The Broncos’ seven picks earned mixed grades. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter gave Day 1 an A-, Day 2 an A-, and Day 3 a B+, yielding a B-grade. Sporting News gave a composite 84.8 (B). CBS Sports assigned a B, while ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rated the class C+. Pro Football Focus issued a C- but highlighted LB Red Murdock as its highest-graded selection.
Official Analyst Summaries
Reuter said Waddle acted as Denver’s first pick and praised Onyedim. Nate Davis said the draft centered on the Waddle trade. Edwards highlighted Coleman’s rarity as a running-back selection in a down draft and praised Casey’s versatility. PFF noted Murdock’s 2025 metrics as evidence of immediate impact.
Criticism and Opposition
Kiper criticized Denver’s capital, noting only seven selections and one pick in first three rounds, and expressed disappointment that none of the rookies generated excitement. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox echoed the view, citing the lack of a marquee prospect despite Waddle trade.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Analyst grades range from Reuter’s A--level praise to Kiper’s C+ and PFF’s C-. Onyedim is called a reach by some (Bleacher Report) and a solid run-stopper by others (CBS). Long-term impact of the Waddle trade on roster construction remains unmeasured.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jaylen Waddle essentially serves as Denver's first-round pick this year, given that the Broncos sent the No. 30 overall choice to Miami for the veteran receiver,” — Chad Reuter, NFL.com analyst
- “The downside is Denver was left with seven total selections and only one in the first three rounds (No.” — Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN analyst
- “Coleman is only the fourth running back to be taken in a historically down draft for the position.” — Josh Edwards, CBS Sports analyst
What's Next
The team will fill the 90-man offseason roster by signing undrafted free agents, monitor rookie development through training camp, and assess the Waddle trade’s return over the next three seasons.
