Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos finished their 2025 regular season with a 14-3 record, an AFC West title, and a first-round bye. Today, six members of the team were announced to have earned All-Pro honors. It’s been a long time since the Broncos have had a roster this strong. A big tip of the cap to Head Coach Sean Payton, General Manager George Paton, and the pro and collegiate scouts for helping reforge this roster in relatively short order despite significant limitations due to the implications of the failed Russell Wilson era.
With second-year signal caller Bo Nix on a rookie contract, ample cap space with the ability to create more, and at least five picks in the top four rounds, the Broncos certainly have great flexibility in how they approach the 2026 NFL Draft. However, what the Broncos eventually do come late April will be highly dependent on what happens in free agency.
As of now, several defensive starters or players who earned meaningful snap time are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad at inside linebacker, John Franklin-Myers at defensive end, and safety P.J. Locke. Another significant contributor, standout nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian, is scheduled to be a restricted free agent. I’d expect the Broncos to tender him at least at a second-round level which would give him a big pay raise next season.
If Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph winds up being hired for one of the head coaching positions available, it’s safe to say there could be some big roster changes pending who the new defensive coordinator would be. I’d assume that would be Assistant Head Coach and Passing Game Coordinator Jim Leonhard, who is widely regarded as a rising star in the coaching community.
Keeping him in the fold would likely allow for a smoother transition, opting to keep a lot of the same verbiage in place, but adding some more of his unique wrinkles and personalities into the mix defensively. Given the above, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Broncos once again opt to utilize their first-round selection on the defensive side of the ball. Inside linebacker, unless they sign someone in free agency, seems like the easiest position on the roster where you could find a quality return on investment and immediate impact from a draft prospect.
For those of you who have followed Future Broncos segments this year—you all know it’s one of the better off-ball linebacker classes in ages. The Ohio State duo of Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles played tremendously this season and will likely both be Top 15 selections. Though Texas standout Anthony Hill Jr. and Georgia star CJ Allen would very well be in play for the Broncos where they are currently slated to pick. Either of those two would be phenomenal selections that would definitely brighten Denver’s long-term future at the position.
The Broncos will pick no earlier than 25th overall pending a move up the boards in April. If Joseph is hired by another...
