One prospect the Denver Broncos could select in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft is Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher. He is a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker prospect who is viewed as a potential day 3 option for the Broncos. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Boettcher graded as his 10th-best linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft and projects him as a 4th-round selection.
Boettcher had a unique road to the NFL. He started his college career at Oregon, playing baseball. He played football
in high school, but decided to give it up and focus on baseball in college. However, in 2022, Oregon was having walk-on tryouts for its football team, and Boettcher impressed and earned an invite to work out with the team during summer and fall camp, and he would eventually make the team. He would play both sports during his college career and was even drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He would continue playing football and in 2025, had a career year, and earned himself an invite to the Senior Bowl. Now, he’s considered one of the better linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft and could be in play for the Broncos in the 4th round of the draft.
Boettcher played a total of four seasons at Oregon and is coming off a breakout career year for the Ducks. During his four seasons, he played in 55 games and totaled 269 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. This past year, he played in 15 games and totaled 136 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 6 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.
The Broncos re-signed veteran linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad this offseason and released veteran Dre Greenlaw. Despite these two re-signings, the Broncos could still decide to add to their linebacker room. Both veteran linebackers are 30+ years old, and the depth behind them is questionable at best. So, adding a player like Boettcher would make a lot of sense.
Player Profile
Bryce Boettcher | Linebacker | Oregon
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 230 pounds
- Arm Length: 31 1/4 inches
- Wingspan: 75 inches
- Hand Size: 9 1/4 inches
- 40-time: 4.69 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.63 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 9-8 inches
- Bench Press: 21 reps
- Short Shuttle: 4.3 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.25 seconds
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- A classic run-and-chase linebacker who will get a lot of tackles
- Has good, but not great speed, and has enough juice to be a rangy sideline-to-sideline linebacker
- Reads and reacts to the play well and gets to the ball-carrier quickly
- Plays fast and has a high motor that doesn’t quit
- Downhill linebacker who thrives in the run game and makes a play on the ball-carrier
- Former DB background and does well in zone coverage – mirrors RBs/TEs well and has good instincts to make a play on the ball and pass catcher
- Reliable wrap-up tackler
- Intangibles – High effort player who gives it all every play, loves to be coached, has toughness, and has the overall makeup teams look for in a player
- Special teams – Standout special teams player who can contribute right away in all phases
- Standout baseball and football player
Weaknesses
- A little undersized for the position and lacks ideal height, length, and strength for the position
- Could have issues with offensive linemen reaching the second level and washing him out of a play
- Can be a tad overaggressive at times and bite on misdirections and play fakes
- Lacks the ideal height, length, and athleticism to consistently cover NFL tight ends and running backs
- Will be an older rookie at 24 years old
What other analysts are saying about Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher
The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher
Boettcher plays fast and physical on every snap. The same range and awareness that made him a Gold Glove center fielder shows on the football field, with his opportunistic eyes to read and drive without hesitation. However, he can get nosy at times and lose his run fit, and he lacks the stack-and-shed skills to easily escape blocks. His background as a self-starter will endear him to NFL coaches (Lanning: “He’s earned every opportunity … nothing has been handed to that guy.”). Boettcher is a classic “see-ball, get-ball” defender, with the speed and play personality that will make him a natural fit in an NFL linebacker room. Although he will need the right situation to become a starter, he will be an immediate and impactful special teamer.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher
Two-sport standout at Oregon who passed on a chance to start his baseball career, choosing to pursue an NFL opportunity instead. The former walk-on plays like the chip never left his shoulder. He’s fearless in his downhill approach, which leads to feast-or-famine results in the run game. His size, speed and athleticism are average, but his competitive will and motor cover some of that up. Boettcher profiles as an NFL backup but his special-teams talent could be his ticket to a higher draft slotting.
Bryce Boettcher RAS
Should the Broncos draft Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
I think they will love him.
I mean this as a compliment. Bryce Boettcher reminds me a lot of Alex Singleton. He is an undersized run-and-chase linebacker who will get a lot of tackles and have all the intangibles and makeup that the Broncos want from their players. Character and makeup are huge characteristics the Broncos look for, and Boettcher checks all the boxes. On top of that, he is also a five-phase special teams player who can contribute in that role come day one.
I see Sean Payton, Vance Joseph, and Darren Rizzi all wanting this player. He will be great for the locker room, add depth at the position, and potentially give you a starter down the road while also giving you a potential standout special teams player.
Boettcher checks all the boxes for the Broncos.
If he’s there in the 4th round, I think he will be a top player on the board for the Broncos.
