The Denver Broncos are fine-tuning their roster, with only a few gaps left to fill. With free agency mostly in the rearview mirror, the focus now shifts to the NFL Draft to address these needs.
The Broncos made waves by trading their first-round pick to secure WR Jaylen Waddle from Miami, a move that head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton hope will pay dividends. This leaves Denver with their first pick at No. 62 overall in Round 2, and there's plenty of speculation about which direction they'll take.
While some fans are hoping for a tight end or running back, ESPN’s Field Yates has a different take. In his recent two-round mock draft, Yates suggests the Broncos will select linebacker Josiah Trotter from Missouri.
“Inside linebacker is an area to continue to add at after Dre Greenlaw couldn’t provide a boost this past season. Trotter is one of my favorite fits in this round. He’s a tough, hard-nosed, and instinctive run defender in traffic who could slide into coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense,” Yates noted.
The Broncos have invested in Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad this offseason to start at linebacker, but the departure of Greenlaw leaves a depth concern. Trotter could be the answer to that problem.
In 2025, Trotter showcased his talent with the Missouri Tigers, racking up 84 tackles (13 for loss) and two sacks over 12 games. His previous stint at West Virginia saw him achieve 92 tackles and an interception, highlighting his defensive prowess.
While offensive positions often grab the spotlight, adding Trotter could be a savvy move for the Broncos. Time will tell if strengthening the defense is the path Payton and Paton choose to take.