One Denver insider predicts that the Broncos will address tight end early, but they might need to trade up to land their ideal target.
The Denver Broncos don't have much to think about during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Denver traded their first-round pick as part of the package that landed Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and Denver would do that trade time and time again.
So, that means the Broncos' first pick of the draft is in the second round at No. 62 overall.
There are several areas they need to address, with tight end, running back and defensive tackle among some options.
Chris Thomasson of The Denver Gazette compiled a first-round mock draft, but he also predicted the Broncos' selection at No. 62.
And, he had Denver selecting Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. However, he says it might have to be a trade-up scenario.
"Broncos coach Sean Payton thought he had his “Joker” when they signed tight end Evan Engram last year. But there wasn’t a lot to laugh about after Engram’s so-so season. The 6-4 and athletic Stowers, who had 51 catches in 2025, could be the matchup problem Payton seeks. They might have to trade up to get him," he wrote.
Stowers had a top-30 visit with Denver, and some teams even are viewing him as a potential wide receiver.
The issue here, as Thomasson mentioned, is that Denver might need to trade up, and Stowers has been predicted to go anywhere in the early second round to the end of the second round.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is a surefire first-round pick, and Stowers is considered as the TE2 by many in this class.
ESPN's Jordan Reid had a seven-round mock draft, and he had Stowers going at No. 54 to the Philadelphia Eagles, just a few picks before Denver.
The tight end position drops off a bit after Stowers, and while it isn't a major need, landing a playmaker who can boost the offense is key, and Stowers is exactly that.
The question is, does Denver trade up? The Broncos also traded their third-round pick to get Waddle, but they have a flurry of picks in the later rounds, so moving up 8-10 spots and giving up a Day 3 pick could be a scenario here.
The Los Angeles Chargers, for example, make sense as a trade partner because LA only has five selections, so there are definitely some options if the Broncos want to move up and get Stowers to add to the offense.