What can we expect from the Denver Broncos in this pivotal 2025 NFL Draft?

From the Broncos, should we expect the unexpected?

That’s boring. That’s cliched. The truth is, one can find some hints, even though not being scheduled to select until No. 20 — while also being in a situation where no first-round picks have been traded so far — certainly leads to speculation running riot.

But there are few things one should expect to see over the next three days as Denver looks to take the next steps in building a roster that can push forward and go beyond its one-and-done cameo in the wild-card round.

1. THE BRONCOS WILL GET A RUNNING BACK

This is obvious. And this is also the free space on the board; after all, general manager George Paton specifically made this clear on March 31 at the NFL Annual Meeting.

“We’ll get a back in this draft,” he said then.

It’s just a question of which type. Will it be a true three-down back? If so, it will have to be early; if the Broncos don’t take a running back in Round 1, they’re unlikely to come out of the draft with such a runner, and will likely have to either cobble together the solution with either one back already on hand plus one from the draft — or a combination of a pair of runners added in the coming days.

“Not as many three-down backs,” Paton said, “but it’s a good class.”

That being said, the fact that the draft has “a lot” of running backs could impact Denver’s draft tactics. Paton acknowledged March 31 that the draft meshed with “some of the places” that were of need on the Broncos roster.

But at the same time, sticking to the “BPA” — “best player available” — strategy might provide the best long-term value.

“I think it comes down to you always want to take the best player on your board,” Paton said. “Typically you win in those scenarios.”

2. THEY’LL SUPPLEMENT THE DEFENSIVE LINE

And in doing so, they’ll add the caliber of player who could end up starting at some point. The re-signing of D.J. Jones ensures that they’re covered with one of the game’s stoutest run defenders up front, but three expiring contracts after this season — Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach — ensure that there is work to be done up front, as it seems unlikely that the Broncos would re-sign all three players, who are entering their seventh, eighth and sixth NFL seasons, respectively.

Adding some youth from what is acknowledged to be a robust class could be wise, both for the moment and for the long-term health of the unit. The Broncos typically will rotate five defensive linemen liberally, although Allen’s use was unusually high; he played in a higher percentage of defensive snaps than any Broncos interior D-lineman since 2012, per data collected by Pro Football Reference, and was the only NFL defensive lineman to play in at least 80 percent of his team’s defensive snaps last year.

Giving Allen a bit more of a breather would help. But if the Broncos draft a defensive lineman, the type they add could determine how much of a respite they provide. Is it a player who is a plug-and-play contributor? Or is it one who will need a longer runway?

That debate arose last week, Paton said.

“We were talking about some interior D-linemen and, and there’s one that’s ready to roll. We think he’s ready to play next year. And then there’s another one that man, you may hit on him,” Paton said.

“And I think it’s important that you go around the room, you talk to the assistant coaches, you talk to the scouts and what’s the vision for this player, year one, year two and beyond.”

 

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3. AN ADDITION TO THE “INTERIOR TRIANGLE” OF TARGETS

And this isn’t just talking about the afore-mentioned running back — who may or may not project as a “joker” type.

Don’t be surprised to see another tight end added to the mix to join a room that already added Evan Engram, and wide receiver is certainly in play, even though there are plenty of on-the-record comments expressing satisfaction with the state of the room. Courtland Sutton is in the final year of his contract and adding some more dynamism to the room — and another young target to grow with Bo Nix — couldn’t hurt.

A Day 2 tight end from a deep class would make plenty of sense, and the Broncos’ interest in tight ends through their Combine interviews and 30 visits — plus Combine and local meetings with suburban Denver products Terrance Ferguson and Gunnar Helm — show that Engram’s arrival didn’t put the Broncos off the pursuit.

Engram’s presence does give the luxury of adding a tight end who might need more developmental time before being ready to contribute heavily; a high-ceiling presence like Harold Fannin Jr., who could be available in Round 3, might be a tempting addition, although Nix’s chemistry with the athletically-gifted Ferguson might make him a truly tantalizing Day 2 option.

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