The Denver Broncos are evaluating their options for the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly considering trading up into the third round to secure desired prospects. After trading their first-round pick, they will select late in the second round and then not again until the fourth round.
Broncos should consider trading up into round 3 of draft in these prospects fall originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Denver Broncos are sizing up the field just 10 days out from the 2026 NFL Draft. The Broncos are going to need to take a strategic approach to get the players they want to add in this year's selection process.
After trading their first-round pick in the package that sent Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, the Broncos won't have a pick until late in the second round. After waiting through 61 selections to make that pick, the Broncos will have to wait another 45 choices before getting to select another player in the fourth round with pick No. 108.
Denver likes to find talent in the third round. Since George Paton became the team's general manager, he has selected Quinn Meinerz, Riley Moss and Jonah Elliss in the third round. Though the Broncos don't currently have a third-round pick this year, there are some prospects they should be keeping tabs on and considering offering a trade if they slip down the board.
The Broncos have room to part with a wide receiver following the deal to acquire Waddle. That has left many to speculate that either Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin could be moved sometime in the future. Because of Mims' importance as a special teams player and emergence as a deep threat last season, the Broncos should first look to trade Franklin.
Is Franklin worth a third-round pick? Not by himself, but the Broncos could throw in one of their Day 3 picks in 2027. There are teams that could use a young, upcoming wide receiver such as Franklin and could take a shot on him. Here's an example of a potential offer:
Broncos receive: 2026 3rd-round pick (No. 79)
Falcons receive: WR Troy Franklin, 2027 5th-round pick
The Falcons are a team in need of more depth at the wide receiver position and the Broncos, collecting the No. 79 overall pick from them, could allow them to make a move on one of the following players. If one of them drops to that area in the draft, Paton needs to get on the phone.
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
The Broncos like Eli Stowers. He is a tight end with wide receiver skills who embodies what Sean Payton looks for in his "joker" spot. Payton likes tight ends who can bring something as a blocker, but the team brought back Nate Adkins and Adam Trautman, so there is room for a guy who can create something down the field as a receiver.
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Max Klare doesn't offer the sheer athletic traits that Stowers possesses, but he is a more complete tight end and can be a long-term starter in the league.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
The Broncos need to come out of this draft with a running back and while having a player like Jadarian Price drop to them at No. 62 would be a dream scenario, it doesn't seem likely. However, Mike Washington Jr. is a ball of fire who would be exactly what this running game needs. The Broncos would not be tripped up by what slowed down their running game in the playoffs last season with a player like Washington on the roster.
Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
It would be acceptable for the Broncos to select Josiah Trotter at No. 62, but if they choose to take a running back or tight end at that spot to add another weapon on offense, trading back into the third round would be a great move should Trotter begin to fall down the board.
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Broncos must take these prospects if they fall to No. 62 in NFL draft
The Denver Broncos do not have a first-round pick and will select late in the second round, followed by a pick in the fourth round.
Under George Paton, the Broncos have selected Quinn Meinerz, Riley Moss, and Jonah Elliss in the third round.
The Broncos should consider trading up to the third round to secure key prospects that may fall down the draft board.
The Broncos will have to wait through 61 selections after their second-round pick before making their next selection in the fourth round.
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