2026 NFL Draft: Hart’s final Broncos mock draft

I can’t be certain who is on Denver’s short list of prospects. However, Texas standout Anthony Hill Jr. has the size, athleticism, and playmaking ability to be a dynamic inside linebacker in the NFL. I think he is a tremendous fit for Vance Joseph’s defense and a player worth mortgaging current and future draft capital to obtain. He is who I predicted them to pick as well in our roundtable installment, so he shows up in my final mock.

I don’t care that they brought back Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, and are contemplating giving Jonah Elliss more reps at inside linebacker. It’s a long-term need for the squad and Hill Jr. has the skillset and traits to be a true difference maker at the position. Plus, he’s a turnover machine and we all know Coach Payton wants more of those in 2026. For whatever it’s worth, the Broncos have doubled up on prospects from the same program the past three drafts. If this is the pick, that will mark four in a row.

Day 3 Prediction: Trading back and filling depth needs

#108 Overall (via New Orleans Saints) — Kaytron Allen – RB – Penn State

With their top pick going on the defensive side of the ball, the next pick for Denver has them going on offense. Two long-term needs on that side of the ball are tight end and running back. By this time in the draft, I think a handful of backs will be off the board. I’m not expecting Jonah Coleman, Emmett Johnson, Jadarian Price, or Mike Washington Jr. to last this long. Moreover, the tight ends capable of starting right away or having big roles in their rookie campaigns will likely be gone too.

However, I think Penn State prospect Kaytron Allen will be there. If so, Allen would be a fantastic selection for the Broncos who could use another addition to their running back stable. He would serve as an insurance policy for J.K. Dobbins and a nice back to pair with RJ Harvey over the next couple of seasons.

Allen is a strong inside runner that has good size, vision, and the ability to generate yards after contact. He was also very productive in college and rarely fumbled the ball. Do those abilities seem like something the Broncos could use? Absolutely. That’s why he is one of my favorite fits of any prospect in this year’s draft for them.

#130 (via Miami Dolphins) – Marlin Klein – TE – Michigan

The Broncos trade #111 to the Miami Dolphins for #130 and #151.

In the earlier trade to acquire Hill Jr., the Broncos sent off their fifth-round selection in this year’s draft in addition to a future third rounder in 2027. I don’t think Paton will want to have no picks between the fourth and seventh round. That is why I have them doing a trade back deep into round four (snagging their original fourth-round pick via the Waddle trade) whilst picking up another early fifth-round pick in the process.

This year’s tight end class has a lot of different players, but only a few prospects with Top 100 grades. One player I like is Marlin Klein out of Michigan. He wasn’t very productive and backed up Colston Loveland for a few seasons, but his size and athletic profile him as one of the draft’s better developmental Y tight ends. He is worth the role of the dice here. You can’t teach his traits, and I believe he will certainly outplay his draft position.

#151 Overall (via Miami Dolphins) — Bishop Fitzgerald – S – USC

At some point in time, I expect the Broncos to draft a defensive back to help shore up their secondary. I entertained the thought of another trade down but opted to stick and pick here. In Paton’s tenure as GM, Denver has taken 11 defensive backs and at least one in every draft he has been a part of.

The franchise is slated to have Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Brandon Jones, and J.L. Skinner hit free agency at the end of the 2026 season. I have no doubt they’ll add another prospect into the fold somewhere in the draft. Finding a versatile defensive back is key, so getting a player with some flexibility would be a bonus in at the top of the fifth round.

It’s a deep safety class and I think there will be great value at this slot at the position. One of my favorite prospects is USC’s Bishop Fitzgerald, who was coached up by current defensive backs coach Doug Belk. He had five interceptions last season for the Trojans, can play multiple spots in the secondary, and has special teams experience. That’ll play on Sunday’s. Fitzgerald would be a tremendous value at this point in time. He’s a future NFL starter who will have a long career.

A Seventh Round Trio: Rounding out the roster

It’s hard to guess who will be on the board or what Denver will do in the final picks of the draft where they have three selections. My guess is that their Top 30 visits will come into play heavily here and they will focus on guys they’ve done a lot of homework on. At this point in time, these late picks are essentially UDFA signings, but maybe the Broncos’ brass will be able to unearth some late gems in the seventh round.

#246 Overall — Josh Cameron — WR — Baylor

The Broncos are five deep at the wide receiver position with Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them use a late-round flyer on a prospect who has good physical traits and playmaking ability. Cameron hauled in 19 touchdowns the past two seasons at Baylor and does a good job breaking tackles and creating yards after the catch.

#256 Overall — Josh Gesky — OG — Illinois

A teammate of Alex Palczewski’s, Gesky is a multi-year starter for Illinois who has primarily seen most of his snaps at left guard. He would be a nice late-round addition to the Broncos’ offensive line. The team brought him in for a 30 visit, so there is obviously some interest there and connections to the program based off past drafts and UDFA signings.

#257 Overall — Latrell McCutchin Sr. — CB — Houston

According to Luca Evans of the Denver Post, the Broncos are being diligent with scouting late-round cornerbacks to add into the mix. One of those he mentioned was Houston prospect Latrell McCutchin Sr. He started 25 games the past two years for the Cougars and was also a top-notch special teams’ player.

What do you think, Broncos Country? Would you be happy with this draft or upset? Let me know what you think in the comments section. Feel free to give your final mock for the Broncos as well!