Broncos Trade Down, Fill Tight End, Linebacker Needs

0:00On April 29, going into the 2026 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos had tight ends and inside linebackers at the top of their needs list. They didn't pick until 60 second overall in the second round. And right before their turn, a bunch of those guys flew off the board. Players like linebacker Jacob Rodriguez at 43, Josiah Trotter at 46, Jake Golday at 51, CJ Allen at 53, tight end Eli. Doors at 54, Nate Bergkurtcher at 56, Marlin Klein at 59, Anthony Hill at 60, and Max Claire at 61, all got snatched. Up, reports said Denver really liked Trotter, who went 16 spots early. So the team traded down to 66, grabbing an extra sixth round pick, then to defensive line mentality on Yadim in the third round. He was one of six guys they targeted who surprisingly stuck around. General manager George Padden called it a typical draft, saying they saw the run coming and it played out just like they planned.

1:01Fans might have been frustrated at first, but the frontoff is state cool. In the end, Denver still filled those holes later, adding two tight ends like NC states Justin Jolie in the fifth and linebacker Red Murdoch with their final pick. It's met just on their timeline.