One Broncos rookie stands out after Denver’s uneven draft haul

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and over the last several weeks, we have extensively covered the Chiefs' draft picks and their impact. But now, it is time to take a look at the draft classes for other teams—specifically, other AFC West teams, who will see Kansas City at least twice a year. With many new faces across the division, there are a handful of young players who could have a major impact in the AFC West in 2026 and beyond.

Starting with the Broncos, a team that only had one pick in the top 100 following a blockbuster deal to land Dolphins star receiver Jaylen Waddle. Coming into draft day, the Broncos were starved for draft capital after pushing their chips in this offseason, and they made several trades to acquire more draft capital throughout draft weekend.

Pick 66: Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M - Grade: C

After losing John Franklin-Myers to free agency, bulking up on the defensive line became a priority, although I did not think it would be their first priority on draft weekend. Denver traded out of their second-round pick, added more draft capital, and added Onyedim, which helps increase the value of the pick. But Onyedim was not my favorite player in the draft because of his undersized frame and inconsistent run defense. He now heads to Denver, where he will run a very similar defense to the one he played in at Texas A&M, and he will be a high-value interior pass rusher.

Pick 108: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington - Grade: A-

Coleman was my RB2 in this draft, and the Broncos landing him outside of the top 100 was astonishing to me. With RJ Harvey already on the roster and showing flashes, Coleman becomes the perfect complement with his ability to impact the game as a pass blocker and power rusher. Coleman will have a very long NFL career, and at worst, he will be a third-down back known for his ability to manage aggressive pass rushers.

Pick 111: Kage Casey, OL, Boise State - Grade: B+

Casey was a guy I followed closely at the start of the year after Boise State's incredible run in the 2024 CFB season. He is an undersized tackle who lacks length but is a mauling run blocker who explodes with his lower half to gain early leverage. Casey is likely a depth guy for Denver who can play guard or tackle off the bench, and that type of versatility is valuable on Day 3 of the draft.

Pick 152: Justin Joly, TE, NC State - Grade: D+

Joly is a unique player who is more of a big-slot receiver than a true tight end. He is very similar to tight end Evan Engram, who is already on the Denver roster and struggled in Sean Payton's offense to find a role and truly fit in. If Denver chooses to cut Engram this offseason, Joly's role becomes much clearer, but even as a full-time starter, I am not sure his fit in the Denver offense will be ideal for his development.

Pick 246: Myles Scott, S, Illinois - Grade: B+

Scott is the pure, rangy type of over-the-top safety that the Broncos love to have in their defense. In 2026, he will likely make his biggest contributions on special teams, but Scott has the tools to become a rotational player on Denver's defense. On Illinois film, Scott is all over the field, and with seven career interceptions, you know he can play the ball. He is still somewhat thin and a low-impact run defender, but his fit in Denver is great.

Pick 256: Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah - Grade: A

If I were a Broncos writer, my number one bold prediction for the 2026 season would be that Dallen Bentley gets more time on the field than Justin Joly. A bigger, more traditional TE, Bentley looks like the type of tight end Sean Payton has been successful with in the past. He has a great frame, is a strong blocker, and can be on the field at all times regardless of the situation. Bentley is far from a superstar, but his consistent impact is there, and I would not be surprised if he becomes the Broncos' starting tight end by next season.

Pick 257: Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo - Grade: A-

Murdock is a tackling machine who has totaled just shy of 300 tackles over his last two seasons with Buffalo. While people will make the argument that the lower level of competition impacted those stats, you do not just stumble into 150-tackle seasons. Sideline to sideline, Murdock is all over the field, and his production does not lie. He is likely a special teams contributor who provides valuable depth despite his limited pass coverage ability, but he is a great Mr. Irrelevant pickup for the Broncos.

BEST UDFA: Ahmari Harvey, CB, Georgia Tech

Harvey is one of the more well-rounded coverage corners from this year's class, and the biggest gripe teams had with him was a lack of size and physicality. He will provide great depth for the Broncos, and no one should be surprised if he cracks their opening-day roster. While he is not an elite zone defender, he is a fluid athlete who can stick in coverage and make valuable plays on the ball.

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