What a night. After zigzagging in most every possible direction across Day 2 of the NFL draft, from trading down in the second round to adding fourth-rounders to jettisoning fourth-rounders to move up into the third, the Broncos hit on three key positional needs Friday night: running back, wide receiver and edge rusher.
Two picks remain on Day 3 — at No. 134 and No. 191 — and there’s always the possibility George Paton and Sean Payton get antsy and flip some more. Here’s some of the best remaining fits for the Broncos to look at on Saturday.
Offense
TE Gunnar Helm, Texas: Tight end is the last big need on the board for Denver and Helm, the former Cherry Creek standout, might be the best option left. He had a big 2024 at Texas and checks a lot of the boxes Denver needs at the position.
RB Brashard Smith, SMU: If the Broncos decide to double-dip at running back, Smith would be a fun choice. A converted receiver, he’s a big play waiting to happen in the passing game. Ran 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine and was a Senior Bowl standout.
OL Marcus Mbow, Purdue: Denver could use Day 3 to find a young, developmental offensive lineman. Mbow is that, plus he’s got position versatility to potentially provide depth at several spots
WR Tory Horton, CSU: The local standout had two great years in Fort Collins before injuries shortened his 2024 campaign. Denver may not be in the market for another pass-catcher, but Horton can be a field-stretcher with a big catch radius.
TE Orande Gadsden II, Syracuse: Gadsden is a dynamic receiver, producing two 900-plus yard seasons for the Orange. He’s essentially a big slot receiver, but would be a potential weapon in the middle of the field.
TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame: Broke his foot in 2022 and tore his ACL in 2023 but came on strong last fall and is a well-rounded tight end. Not the most explosive player in the class, but Evans has a chance to be a reliable pro.
TE Thomas Fidone, Nebraska: If the Broncos go tight end in the sixth round, Fidone would be an interesting prospect. Had two ACL injuries in college but is a dynamic athlete and has interesting upside at the next level.
TE Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh: Never put up huge numbers for the Panthers, but is a pretty good athlete at 6-5 and 246 pounds. Had a career-best 38 catches in 2024.
RB Jaydon Blue, Texas: Similarly, Blue is dynamite catching the ball out of the backfield. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called him “Darren Sproles-ish” recently.
RB LeQuint Allen, Syracuse: Not the most talked-about back in the class, but Allen does a ton well. Had 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024 and led all FBS running backs with a whopping 64 catches.
OL Jackson Slater, Sacramento State: One of the most intriguing small-school players in this draft class, Slater played guard and tackle in college but could play any of the three interior spots in the NFL. Denver could be in the market for center and guard competition.
OL Miles Frazier, LSU: Payton hadn’t drafted an LSU player since 2010 until Sai’Vion Jones on Friday night. Maybe he could make it back-to-back days now that the tap is open.
Defense
DT Ty Robinson, Nebraska: The athleticism is top-end here. Robinson ran a 4.83 40-yard-dash at the combine, fastest among all defensive tackles. He’s a bit undersized for an interior defensive lineman, though, at 6-5 and 288 pounds.
EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State: If Denver isn’t done looking at edge talent after landing LSU’s Sai’vion Jones, Sawyer’s a value play, a clean 260-pound prospect with great production at national-champion Ohio State (nine sacks in 2024).
DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia: The physical tools are great. The production isn’t. But the Broncos loved Jones’ versatility enough to leap for him in the third round, and Ingram-Dawkins could eventually develop into a hybrid DE-DT in various packages.
LB Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss: The guy simply does not miss tackles. Four in 2024 at Ole Miss, to be precise, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s a little undersized for his weakside-linebacker role, but there’s Broncos familiarity: He has the same agent as new Broncos signee Dre Greenlaw.
CB Zah Frazier, UTSA: The Broncos don’t need more cornerbacks. But Frazier’s profile is tantalizing, with a lanky 6-3 frame and a 4.36 40-yard-dash. He’s a sleeper for someone.
S Jaylen Reed, Penn State: Probably the best safety left on the board. He’s aggressive against the run and on safety blitzes, but his coverage leaves something to be desired.
S Kitan Crawford, Nevada: An uber-athletic defensive back who lies in wait on Day 3, with just one proven season of production at Nevada under his belt. The Broncos hosted him on an in-house 30 visit.
S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin: Wohler’s further down on the list of available safeties, and could well fall until the sixth or seventh round. But the Broncos love scouting familiarity, and Wohler has a direct tie, playing for passing-game coordinator Jim Leonhard at Wisconsin.
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