For our first installment of Future Broncos earlier today, we took a look at the slate of picks the Denver Broncos have for the 2027 NFL Draft. Boasting extra picks, the Broncos have the flexibility to be very active maneuvering around the draft board next April if they so choose. With this entry, we will examine some of Denver’s potential needs heading into next offseason. Note that these aren’t listed in priority order.
Inside Linebacker:
Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are the Broncos’ starting inside linebacker
duo in 2026. Singleton signed a two-year extension earlier this offseason and Strnad inked a three-year deal. At the beginning of the 2027 season, Singleton will be 34 years old and Strnad will be 31.
Denver has a handful of late-round and UDFA players from the past few years competing for depth spots this season. Jordan Turner, Karene Reid, Red Murdock, and Taurean York are the four vying to make the final 53-man roster. While it’s entirely possible one or a few of them could eventually be NFL starters, the franchise would be wise to try and add a quality prospect into the mix long-term.
Let’s be honest. How comfortable would you be with any one of those guys stepping in as a starter this season? I wouldn’t be at all. Truth be told, inside linebacker is a position you don’t have to draft super early to find future starters. With a projected nine picks for next April’s draft, the Broncos should address this long-term need somewhere in the Top 125 selections.
Interior Defensive Line:
The state of the Broncos’ defensive line for the 2026 season is strong. However, the long-term outlook is variable and it’s always smart to add talent to the trenches.
At the beginning of next season, veteran nose tackle D.J. Jones will be 32 years old and carries a cap hit of $14.6 million dollars. If the Broncos opted to designate Jones as a post-June 1st cut, they would save $13 million in cap space but incur $1.6 million in dead money over the next several seasons. They certainly don’t need to do this with them poised roll over a lot of cap space, but it is a possibility.
On top of that, fourth-year player Eyioma Uwazurike is scheduled to be a free agent. I expect him to play a lot of snaps this season. It’s entirely possible that Denver could extend him. If he shows as much promise as coaches and teammates have praised him for over the course of training camp, that would be a smart decision.
The team has spent back-to-back third-round selections on the defensive line with Sai’vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim. We will see if either can be a meaningful contributor this year, but finding a big-bodied defensive tackle that could eventually take over for Jones and split time with Malcolm Roach is something they should consider.
Secondary:
The Broncos tout the best secondary in the NFL this season. Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones are a quality safety tandem. Meanwhile, the starting trio of Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Ja’Quan McMillian are set to play at an elite level this season. Denver also has good cornerback depth with Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine.
Though it’s important to note Jones, Moss, and McMillian are all scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the season. Hufanga and Abrams-Draine will also be free agents after the ‘27 season. A handful of other depth players at safety are just on one-year contracts as well.
I do expect Denver to retain one of the three key starters mentioned earlier. However, they may need to find a player in the defensive backfield that could start right away pending on how things unfold during free agency leading up to the draft next April. Either way, adding long-term depth here is something I expect General Manager George Paton to prioritize. He has put a premium on defensive backs in his drafts over the years.
Offensive Line:
I’m bullish on Denver’s starting group this season and still have high hopes for Alex Palcewszki and rookie offensive lineman Kage Casey. However, Mike McGlinchey and Garett Bolles will be another year younger. It’s been a long time since Denver has prioritized drafting and developing a tackle with an early selection. Perhaps the 2027 NFL Draft will be the year that happens.
Additionally, Alex Forsyth—slated to be the Broncos’ backup center—is in the final year of his rookie deal. Given the injuries Denver has had up front at the position (including starter Luke Wattenberg who has missed several games the past few seasons), finding a player at the pivot who could be developed is an option for them to consider as well.
Other Potential Needs:
- Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham is in the final year of his contract and quarterback Bo Nix will ultimately end up being rewarded with a huge contract. It’s not the most pressing need by any means, but I think Denver should give thought to finding a quarterback in the mid-rounds they think would be worth developing behind Nix.
- The future of the tight end position is a total wild card. We’ll have to wait and see how the group performs this season. That being said, I wouldn’t let Justin Joly, Dallen Bentley, or any other player’s presence on the roster preclude them from trying to find a long-term difference maker at the position.
- I’m very high on the potential of the Broncos’ receiving corps for the 2026 season. Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant are a formidable five at the position. However, Mims Jr. is set to hit free agency if the team can’t agree to a long-term extension with him. He’s an All-Pro returner and those aren’t easy to come by. At the very least, Denver may have to look for a player at the position who has serious upside on special teams.
Not only that, but Courtland Sutton carries a large cap hit next season and in future years. He has been a great player for the franchise, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Broncos’ brass targets a big-bodied wideout who profiles as a true ‘X’ in Payton’s offense for the future.
