Broncos move down and add interior defensive lineman with third-round pick

The Broncos finally made a selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

After being silent during round one, due to trading their pick to Miami for Jaylen Waddle, Denver was on the clock on Friday night. And then they traded the pick, moving from No. 62 to No. 66 and picking up No. 182 in the process.

This marked just the second time in franchise history that the team didn’t have a pick in the first or second round. It made for a relatively boring weekend for Broncos fans.

Broncos have acquired Rd 3-66 and Rd 6-182 from Buffalo in exchange for Rd 2-62.

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 25, 2026

But eventually made a move. And their move was…

#Broncos with No. 66 overall pick, second selection in 3rd round, take DL Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 25, 2026

As George Paton said earlier this month, it’s going to be difficult for a rookie to start for the Broncos in 2026. They’re coming off of a 14-3 season, a year in which they were one game (and one Bo Nix injury) away from playing in the Super Bowl. So this move was about building depth.

Broncos Country might not be excited. But this selection wasn’t about 2026. It’s about development, adding players who will be ready to start down the road. Why is that important? Because in the next two years, Denver will be having to ink Bo Nix to a big contract. At that point, relatively cheaper starters will be important.

Will Onyedim fill that void? That remains to be seen. But that’s the plan that Paton and Sean Payton are trying to put in place.

Drafting a defensive tackle isn’t exciting. Doing so after not having a first- or second-round pick is even less inspiring. But the Broncos were looking long term in round three. And that’s not a bad thing.

Related

Bo Nix has recheck on his ankle, is ‘doing great’Broncos agree to terms with slew of undrafted rookiesBroncos make final three draft picks, including Mr. IrrelevantCan Justin Joly be the answer to the riddle of the ‘joker’ for the Broncos?Why Jonah Coleman could be the Broncos’ most important draft pick this seasonBroncos move up in the fifth round to grab a pass-catching tight end