The Denver Broncos didn’t make a first- or second-round pick this year, but they still came away with a seven-player class headlined by Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim in the third round, followed by running back Jonah Coleman, offensive tackle Kage Casey, tight end Justin Joly, safety Miles Scott, tight end Dallen Bentley and linebacker Red Murdock on Day 3.
The Broncos’ 2026 Draft Class
Denver’s first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft came at No. 66 overall, where they added defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim from Texas A&M to bolster the interior of their defensive front. Onyedim profiles as a stout run defender with the ability to occupy blockers and free up linebackers, an important piece for a defense that has leaned heavily on its edge rush in recent seasons. With their next picks, the Broncos turned to the offense, grabbing Washington running back Jonah Coleman at No. 108 and Boise State offensive tackle Kage Casey at No. 111, signaling a clear intent to support Bo Nix and the ground game.
In the fifth round, Denver added NC State tight end Justin Joly with the 152nd pick, giving the offense another pass-catching option in the middle of the field and red zone. The seventh round was busy: the Broncos took Illinois safety Miles Scott at No. 246 to deepen their secondary and special teams units. They then doubled up at tight end with Utah’s Dallen Bentley at No. 256 and rounded out the class with Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock at No. 257, both late-round swings on developmental depth with special teams upside.
How This Draft Fits Denver’s Roster
This draft class fits into a broader offseason where Denver has already made a splash on offense by acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, giving third-year quarterback Bo Nix another explosive weapon. Against that backdrop, the decision to open the draft with a defensive tackle instead of a skill player reflects a belief that the offense’s ceiling now depends as much on field position and defensive stops as on adding one more receiver. Onyedim’s presence should help stabilize the run defense, which in turn can create more favorable down-and-distance situations for Nix and the offense.
On offense, Coleman and Casey address the run game and protection, both crucial for a team trying to push its attack into the elite tier. Coleman brings fresh competition to the backfield rotation, while Casey offers another young tackle to grow in a system that has shuffled its line in recent years. Joly and Bentley give Denver two different tight end profiles to sort through in camp, potentially allowing the staff to blend blocking and receiving roles more flexibly.
Defensively, Scott and Murdock are typical late-round bets: if either carves out a role on special teams and proves reliable in sub-packages, they’ll be valuable low-cost depth pieces. With multiple seventh-round picks at their disposal, the Broncos could afford to take chances on traits and competitive toughness rather than polished starters. None of these players come in as instant stars, but together they represent a targeted effort to strengthen the spine of the roster while the headline-grabbing moves happen at quarterback and wide receiver.