The Jaylen Waddle trade impacted the Broncos' draft war chest, but what resources are now available to them?
The silver lining, beyond Waddle's arrival, is how that fourth-round swap moved Denver up the board in that round. And for those fans who may be struggling with the haul Denver gave up to get the talented wideout, just view Waddle as the Broncos' first-round pick this year.
By the fall, you won't be having any second thoughts. So, with the Waddle trade officially in the books, let's take a look at the seven total draft picks the Broncos still have in the war chest as we approach April.Jan 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images The Broncos have plenty of ammunition to make a dent in the 2026 draft. This class will be similar to the 2022 and 2023 draft classes that were bereft of a first-round pick because of the Russell Wilson trade. In 2022, the Broncos' first pick of the draft ended up being second-round linebacker Nik Bonitto. Boom. In 2023, the Broncos' first pick was second-round wideout/returner Marvin Mims Jr. They have four All-Pro nods and four Pro Bowl selections between them. That bodes well for the Broncos' No. 62 overall pick. The question is, what position will the Broncos be prioritizing in Round 2? Because the Broncos finished 30th in the draft order, their only Day 2 pick is late in Round 2, but that doesn't mean they can't find a great player. The draft is a crapshoot and GM George Paton has thrown some curveballs in the past, but we'd rarely be wrong if we project that second-rounder to be one of the NFL's premium positions, like offensive tackle, wide receiver , rush linebacker , cornerback , and quarterback . That means that running back, linebacker, and tight end are less likely to be drafted in Round 2. However, it still depends greatly on the Broncos' internal big board, so, again, we're in full-blown 'guesstimation' territory when it comes to the team's draft plans. I wouldn't rule out defensive line either, especially if a prospect they have rated higher than No. 62 is on the board . It can be a premium position, depending on the player, so Denver's board value would be the caveat there.at a few positions in the fourth and fifth, and from there, we get into the deep weeds of the seventh round.Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix during the first quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesThat means the Broncos won't have to rely on any of their 2026 draft picks to step in and start right away. Although, like Jahdae Barron, RJ Harvey, and Pat Bryant last year, that doesn't mean there won't be a vision or role waiting for them. Thus, the Broncos can really feel free to take the long view in the draft this year. Such a strategy redounds to the team's long-term benefit and its vision to remain a Super Bowl competitor moving forward with their young franchise quarterback, Bo Nix. Sign up for our free Denver Broncos On SI newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!Chad Jensen is the Publisher of Denver Broncos On SI, the Founder of Mile High Huddle, and creator of the popular Mile High Huddle Podcast. Chad has been on the Denver Broncos beat since 2012 and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2026 NFL Draft Needs for Every NFC Team After Free AgencyWith the first waves of free agency passed, rosters have begun to take shape, revealing the positions each team should prioritize in April’s draft.
Read more »
Baylor Star Falls Out of Projected First Round in Latest 2026 NBA Mock DraftOne Bear fell out while the other stayed in.
Read more »
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking the Value of Every Position in the Pro GameWith the 2026 draft approaching, former NFL scout Bucky Brooks ranks the value of every position in today's NFL game.
Read more »
Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza Not Ranked as No. 1 Prospect in 2026 NFL DraftA new top NFL Draft prospect was named by one Draft expert.
Read more »
Jets 2026 NFL Draft 'Perfect' Haul Would Solve WR, Edge in First RoundThe New York Jets are in a much better position than most teams in the 2026 National Football League Draft.
Read more »
Houston Texans 2026 NFL Draft Picks: Full ListWhere are the Houston Texans picking in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Read more »