The Denver Broncos came within striking distance of the Super Bowl in 2025, and while the season was a resounding success in many ways, it also made one thing crystal clear: this team is close, but reinforcements are needed-especially on defense.
The coaching staff is already undergoing a facelift. Some coaches were fired, others promoted, and a few were poached by rival teams.
But it’s not just the sidelines getting a makeover. The Broncos’ roster-particularly on the defensive side of the ball-could look very different next season.
That’s not entirely surprising. Denver’s defense has been one of the league’s most consistent and formidable units in recent years, but age and contract expirations are catching up.
Key contributors like defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are all heading toward free agency. If they aren’t brought back, there will be some sizable holes to fill.
Enter the NFL Draft.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, who just wrapped up a detailed scouting trip to the Senior Bowl, the Broncos could address both linebacker and wide receiver early in the draft. In his two-round mock draft, Miller projects Denver to take Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. with the 30th overall pick and Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell at No. 62.
Let’s start with Hill.
Broncos fans have been clamoring for more dynamic, sideline-to-sideline linebackers, and Hill might be the most fluid athlete at the position in this year’s class. He’s not just fast-he’s explosive.
And he brings a rare versatility that defensive coordinators dream about. At 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, Hill has the frame to play inside but the burst and bend to rush off the edge in sub-packages.
His 17 career sacks hint at the kind of havoc he can wreak when turned loose as a pass rusher. He may not have prototypical edge-rusher size, but Denver has made it work before with players like Nik Bonitto, who’s nearly identical in stature. Hill could thrive in a similar hybrid role-stack linebacker on early downs, pass-rush weapon on third-and-long.
What really sets Hill apart, though, is his football IQ. He diagnoses plays quickly, sniffs out runs before they develop, and has the kind of physicality that sets a tone. He’s no liability in coverage either, which is crucial in today’s NFL where linebackers are constantly tested in space.
That said, he’s not a finished product. Like a lot of young linebackers, Hill can get a little too aggressive, occasionally taking himself out of plays by over-pursuing. But with NFL coaching to refine his technique and harness that energy, he has all the tools to become a cornerstone of Denver’s defense for years to come.
Now, let’s talk about the second-round pick: Chris Bell.
Bell’s draft stock took a hit after a late-season ACL tear, but if the Broncos are willing to be patient, they could land one of the biggest steals in the draft. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Bell fits the mold of what Sean Payton likes in his wideouts-big, physical receivers who can win after the catch.
Before the injury, Bell was building a reputation as a tough, explosive playmaker. He’s got great hands, doesn’t shy away from contact, and has the kind of straight-line speed that makes defensive backs nervous. He’s not just a possession guy-he can stretch the field and turn short passes into chunk plays.
Stylistically, Bell has some similarities to Courtland Sutton. He thrives as an ‘X’ receiver, capable of beating press coverage and tracking the ball deep downfield. That gives the Broncos a potential insurance policy-or even a future replacement-should Sutton’s contract situation become a factor down the line.
Of course, ACL injuries always come with some risk, but medical technology and rehab programs have come a long way. If Bell returns to form, Denver could be adding a high-upside weapon to an already intriguing offense.
Bottom line: The Broncos are in a strong position heading into the 2026 Draft. They’re not rebuilding-they’re reloading. With smart picks like Hill and Bell, Denver could shore up two key areas and keep their championship window wide open.