I covered the five offensive players I believe the Denver Broncos should target in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft yesterday, and now, today, we are going to take a look at the defense.
The Broncos’ defense ranks among the best in the league and has led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons. However, they lost defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and safety PJ Locke in free agency, and could look to load up at a few positions during the 2026 NFL Draft.
With all that said, here are the five
defensive players I believe the Denver Broncos should consider with their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Anthony Hill Jr. just seems like a perfect fit for a Vance Joseph defense. He’s an athletic and rangy linebacker who excels at blitzing. He had 17 career sacks in college, and we all know Joseph loves to blitz his linebackers. He’s more than a pressure player, though; he has the size, length, and athleticism to develop as a coverage player while also being an explosive, downhill, rangy tackler in space.
The Broncos re-signed veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad this offseason and are also moving Jonah Elliss from edge rusher to linebacker in some capacity. However, they could still draft a linebacker, and Anthony Hill Jr. would make a lot of sense for them. I personally believe they will address linebacker later in the draft, but I would not be upset at all with Hill Jr. in the second round.
Florida DT Caleb Banks
Banks has first-round talent, but his production and injury history could have him slipping a bit during the draft.
Despite having all the size, length, athleticism, and talent, Caleb Banks never put it fully together in college, despite having flashes of brilliance. On top of that, he has dealt with multiple foot injuries, including suffering a broken foot while working out at the Combine. So, with those red flags, a talent like Banks could slip to the Broncos in the second round.
He dominated at the Senior Bowl, tested very well at the Combine despite having a broken foot, and he has first-round talent. If the Broncos are comfortable with his medicals (they did have a top-30 visit with him), I could see them pouncing here.
You need to continue to add to your trenches, and the Broncos did lose veteran John Franklin-Myers to free agency. So, if you have the chance to add a 6-6, 327-pound lineman with 35-inch arms and pass rush upside, you do it.
LSU S AJ Haulcy
I know, another defensive back early will get some fans worked up, but safety is a low-key need for the Broncos.
Brandon Jones is in the final year of his deal with the Broncos and is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury, and Talanoa Hufanga is a physical player with an injury history. On top of that, they lost PJ Locke, who was their third safety, and have Devon Key, JL Skinner, and Tycen Anderson as their depth. Those three combine for a total of 2 starts, all of which came from Key in 2024, and he did not play well at all.
Haulcy would give the Broncos a talented third safety who could play either safety position and a player who could potentially replace Brandon Jones next season.
I like Haulcy’s overall game. He has some ball-hawking traits, which is always good, isn’t afraid to get involved in the run game, is a physical player, can cover the deep middle, and would just be a talented addition to the Broncos’ secondary.
Texas Tech NT Lee Hunter
If the Broncos are looking to add some size, strength, and run-stopping ability to their defensive line, then Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter makes a lot of sense for them. He is a stout run defender who can be an imposing run defender in the middle of your defensive line.
The Broncos have DJ Jones, but he is 31 years old, and they can get out of his contract next season. On top of that, they have struggled to stop the Buffalo Bills’ running game in back-to-back postseason games, so adding a big run defender like Lee Hunter should help with that.
He doesn’t offer much in the way of pass rush, so he will not be replacing John Franklin-Myers, but he would improve the Broncos’ overall run defense if selected.
Miami CB/S Keionte Scott
He is one of my favorite players in this draft and would be a great fit in Vance Joseph’s defense.
Scott profiles as an undersized but physical safety who can also be a versatile slot corner in the NFL. The Broncos need to add some depth at the safety position, as I noted earlier, but could add some depth at corner as well. Remember, both Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian are free agents next season (as is safety Brandon Jones), and the Broncos have to sign quarterback Bo Nix to a big contract extension yet. So, they cannot re-sign all their players, and I believe they could target Scott as a potential Jones or McMillian replacement.
I know another defensive back early will upset some fans, but looking ahead to next year, it makes sense. At best, they are re-signing one of Moss and McMillian, Jones is a free agent, and ideally, Jahdae Barron can push for a starting job at either corner position. With Nix due for a large extension, you need to load up and plan for the future at key positions, and I could see the Broncos doing that here.
Is this likely? Probably not, but like my Ted Hurst addition in my offensive players piece, it would make sense even though it’s not likely.
