C+
Denver Broncos
Some hits, some head-scratchers, and a C+ for the Broncos.
by Todd ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 1 steals
· 5 reaches
Boards are made to be trusted, and the Broncos shredded theirs for Eli Heidenreich. He came off 61 spots early, and the room will hear about it.
Rutledge at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster. Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall.
The verdict is a shrug for now, with the swing picks left to write the real ending.
Pick-by-Pick
Jacob Rodriguez in pick 57 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A tidy little value on Eli Stowers in Round 2, Pick 30, a step better than break-even. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Jonah Coleman at slot 75 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
They took Bryce Lance at par in the 89th pick, which is nothing to complain about. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Bud Clark at pick No. 94 is a conviction pick that outran the value. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
A offensive lineman of that caliber at No. 108 is the definition of value, full stop. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
They did well to land Darrell Jackson Jr. in the 111th overall pick, just ahead of his grade. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They jumped the gun on Eli Raridon, taking him earlier than his grade liked. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Dametrious Crownover in No. 130 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. A need, and now a little less of one.
A real head-scratcher, Eli Heidenreich in slot 191 is miles ahead of his ranking. It fills a real need, too.