One prospect the Denver Broncos are showing interest in and may select in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft is Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon. He is a 6-4, 314-pound offensive lineman who is considered one of the better interior blockers in the entire draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Pregnon ranked as his third-best guard in the draft and his 79th overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pregnon started his college career at Wyoming and played there for two
seasons before transferring to USC. He would attend USC for two more seasons before transferring to Oregon this past season, before entering the 2026 NFL Draft. During his college career, Pregnon would appear in 53 games while starting 51 of those games. During that span, he was named a Freshman All-American in 2022, named to the Second-team All-Big Ten team in 2024, and this past year, he was named to the First-team All-Big Ten and the First-team All-American team as well.
The Broncos have veteran Ben Powers returning, and they re-signed versatile reserve Alex Palczewski to a multi-year deal, but they could still address the trenches. Powers is entering the final year of his deal with the Broncos, and he dealt with injuries last season. Pregnon could provide depth early on while also proving to be a future and long-term replacement for him down the line.
Player Profile
Emmaneul Pregnon | Offensive Line | Oregon
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 314 pounds
- Arm Length: 33 5/8 inches
- Hand Size: 11 inches
- 40-time: 5.21 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.82 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 35 inches
- Broad Jump: 9-3
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- Has a rare blend of size, strength and athleticism
- Broad shoulders, long arms, and massive 11-inch hands
- Explosive off the snap and uses that with his strength to push defenders backwards
- Has big, strong, and violent hands that he uses to push around and control defenders
- Dominates when he reaches the second level
- Anchors well against the pass rush and rarely gets pushed backwards
- Excels in pass coverage: 0 sacks, 1 hit, and 3 pressures this past season
- Moves well for his size and has no issues reaching the second level and blocking linebackers
- Experienced and durable OL who has excelled in multiple schemes and offenses in college
- Plug-and-play starter potential
Weaknesses
- Will be an older prospect at 24 years old
- May have some issues with twitchy pass rushers in the NFL
- Can be overly aggressive at times, which can lead to some balance issues
- His forward lean in run blocking also leads to balance issues
- Is a guard-only player who offers little versatility
What other analysts are saying about Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon
The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon
A massive, well-proportioned blocker, Pregnon has an NFL body, and he plays with power through his hips and shock in his hands. He anchors in pass pro and creates movement in the run game, driving defenders from the play when he stays balanced through engagement.
NFL.com’s lead draft analyst, Lance Zierlein, on Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon
Ultra-durable and experienced, Pregnon has the prototypical frame of a downhill blocker. He’ll get beat to first contact but usually reclaims the rep using well-placed hands, a broad base and upper-body power to displace and finish with authority. Range and foot quickness are average as a move blocker and lead to block leakage against slants. In pass pro, he leverages his length well and is quick to detect twists/blitz development. Long pass slides and forward lunges invite counters from skilled, sub-package rushers but protection isn’t a major concern. He’ll be an older rookie who projects as a good plug-and-play starter and immediate run-blocking upgrade.
Emmanuel Pregnon’s RAS
Should the Broncos draft Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
If he’s available, he should be strongly considered.
The Broncos do not have any immediate needs and do not have to spend their second-round pick on a linebacker, running back, or tight end. They could spend their highest pick on the trenches and specifically the offensive line in this case.
The good teams continue to build their trenches, and Pregnon would be a solid addition to the Broncos’ offensive line. He’s a plug-and-play starter, but he could challenge Ben Powers for the starting job or, at the very least, provide valuable depth at the guard position this year before taking over next season.
Sean Payton has emphasized building the offensive line since he joined the Broncos and took multiple offensive line players early in the draft while he was with the Saints. So, while it may not be the most exciting pick, it would be a smart long-term roster-building decision here to take a player like Pregnon in the second round if available.
He has ties to the Denver area, and more importantly, he is a damn good player who would keep quarterback Bo Nix clean moving forward.
