On the final day for NFL teams to host draft prospects on a 30 visit, the Broncos are bringing in perhaps their most logical first-round fit at running back.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson is visiting the Broncos on Wednesday, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Denver Post. The meeting only solidifies a growing buzz around Henderson as a candidate for the Broncos at pick No. 20, a versatile back with top-of-his-class athleticism who profiles as a hand-in-glove fit in head coach Sean Payton’s offense.
General manager George Paton made clear at owners meetings in Florida that Denver would take a back next week in Green Bay, the most obvious area of need on Denver’s roster after starter Javonte Williams left an already-struggling room for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency. And the Broncos visited at length with Boise State back Ashton Jeanty at February’s NFL combine, but would likely need to move up into the top-12 and shell out significant capital to get him. That leaves Henderson and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton as names likely available if Denver wants to swing on a first-round back.
Hampton has been mocked frequently to the Broncos, a 221-pound bruiser who has legitimate three-down potential and profiles somewhat similarly to old Payton favorite Mark Ingram. But Henderson has been shooting up draft boards for the last month after rushing for 1,016 yards for national-champion Ohio State as a senior in 2024 and posting a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
On paper, Henderson checks virtually every ideal box for Denver. He’s elusive in space, averaging 6.4 yards per carry through four years at Ohio State. He has proven supplementary skills as a willing blocker who carries more pass-catching upside than he showed with the Buckeyes. Henderson also thrived last year in a timeshare with teammate Quinshon Judkins, which aligns with Payton’s preference for a backfield by committee.
Payton and Paton last month each made a distinction between backs who can play on first and second down and backs who can do that plus function effectively — or be a difference-maker — on third down. When the Broncos selected Audric Estime in the fifth round last spring, Payton said the “initial vision” for him was to play first and second downs.
True three-down backs? Those are more difficult to find.
“In this draft, I’ve seen a number of these players that I feel are first- and second-down runners,” Payton said at the owners meetings.”I feel like I’ve seen a handful of players that can potentially play on third down, which is what you’re looking for.”
Paton concurred, saying he saw “not as many three-down backs, but it’s a good class.”
Henderson profiles as a true three-down back because of his ability in the passing game and his status as perhaps the best pass protector in the class. His visit was first reported by 9News.
If Denver chooses to forgo a first-round back for receiving help or defensive depth, though, there are names up and down this class in an extremely deep crop at RB. Judkins, even, could be a second-round option. Keep an eye, too, on Kansas’ Devin Neal, Texas’ Jaydon Blue and Kansas State’s DJ Giddens in the middle-to-late rounds.
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