The Denver Broncos target a key position with their top pick, while also bolstering defense and adding a surprising playmaker late.
The Denver Broncos didn't have a lot of areas to address after finishing as the No. 1 seed in the AFC and making a run to the conference title game.
One big one is defensive tackle, which took a big hit after John Franklin-Myers signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
The blockbuster trade for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle saw their first-round pick go to Miami in exchange for the former Alabama star, so that means Denver doesn't pick until the end of the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With April here, Chad Reuter of NFL.com compiled a new mock draft, but this time it is five rounds.
Let's run down the picks from Reuter.
Round 2, No. 62 overall: Stanford tight end Sam Roush
Tight end is a glaring need for the Broncos, even with Adam Trautman returning.
Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers is a name that makes sense, but Reuter has him going early in the second round to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Round 4, No. 108 overall: Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan
The Broncos don't have a third-round pick, either, so the next pick wouldn't come until Day 3. But, this is an obvious need, and McClellan is somebody who has played in the SEC, so he should be able to contribute right away.
Round 4, No. 111 overall: Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher
Boettcher is another player who can contribute right away, and he also met with the Broncos during the pre-draft process and said he feels like he meshed well.
Round 5, No. 170 overall: Kentucky running back Seth McGowan
This is an interesting pick for a few reasons. For starters, J.K. Dobbins is back, but he has also dealt with plenty of injuries.
RJ Harvey broke out for Denver as a rookie, but McGowan is also turning 25 years old, so he is an older player who has plenty of college experience.
At the same time, the Broncos are trying to surround Bo Nix with playmakers, and McGowan is decent injury insurance for Dobbins and Harvey.
The other draft picks the Broncos have are all in the seventh round, with three selections coming at Nos. 246, 256 and 257.
In this scenario, the Broncos address glaring needs at tight end, linebacker and defensive tackle, and McGowan is a sneaky pick who could be just the type of player Davis Webb is looking for in his offense.