Broncos Face Tough Decisions at NFL Combine

0:00On February 27, the first day of the NFL Combine wrapped up in Indianapolis on February 26, 2026, with the Denver Broncos. Zeroing in on interior defensive linemen, linebackers, and edge rushers. These are key spots for the team, since they have free agents coming up at both linebacker and defensive line. A bunch of prospects who could fill those gaps showed some red flags and measurements, athletic tests, and drills, giving scouts like the Broncos plenty to chew on. Measurements revealed size worries for several players the Broncos might target. Interior guys like Tim Keenan from Alabama and Dante Corleone from Cincinnati came in short and stocky, limiting them to run-stopping roles with. Little pass rush upside. Edge rushers such as Kate and Curry from Ohio State and Ruben Bane Jr. from Miami had unusually short arms, the tiniest since 1999, which could hurt their dress stock despite high projections. Linebackers, Turian York from Texas A&M and Harold Perkins Jr. from LSU also measured small under six feet, or light at under 200, 25 pounds.

1:07Athletic testing brought more mixed results, especially for bigger defensive linemen. Guys like Lee Hunter from Texas Tech and Chris McQuellen from Missouri fell short of speed and agility benchmarks, even adjusting for their size. Edge prospects such as Max Lowellen from Iowa disappointed too, while most linebackers held up well overall, though a few like Xavier and Sori Jr. From Arkansas barely scraped by. Onfield drills exposed stiffness in some bigger bodies. Interior linemen like Demonte K-Parte from Clemson and Cameron Ball from Arkansas moved upright and slow, favoring quicker pass rushers instead. Edge is including Kendrick Falk from Auburn and LT Overton from Alabama, look too tight to bend around tackles and linebackers such as Kendall Daniels. From Oklahoma stumbled through movements. As the combine rolls on, the Broncos would dig deeper into tape on these prospects to see if the struggles outweigh their college production, sorting. Out who might still fit as cost effective replacements this draft season.