Broncos replace D.J. Jones in first round of 2027 mock draft

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Broncos replace D.J. Jones in first round of 2027 mock draft image

Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington (52) reacts with fans after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos will enter the 2026 season as one of the teams many expect to push for a Super Bowl, but depth along the defensive line is a concern.

The team allowed John Franklin-Myers to leave in free agency and questions regarding whether enough was done to replace him are fair. Tyler Onyedim was selected in the third round and the team will look at Sai'vion Jones or Eyioma Uwazurike as potential replacements. However, it could be more than one player who has to combine to fill that role.

Following the season, the Broncos could save $13 million in cap space by designating D.J. Jones as a post-June 1 cut. That has a high likelihood of taking place. Armed with that information, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report has the Broncos finding a replacement for Jones in the first round of his 2027 mock draft, selecting Oregon nose tackle A'Mauri Washington with the No. 22 overall pick. Here was his analysis:

"Nose tackle isn't a glamorous position. Even so, a good one is invaluable. Oregon's A'Mauri Washington gives the Denver Broncos a brute in the middle of their defense to make an elite unit even better.

DJ Jones is a competent interior defender and fits well within the Broncos' scheme. However, he turns 32 next year and none of his remaining contract is guaranteed beyond the upcoming season. Besides, Washington is bigger and stronger, with athleticism that belies his 6'3", 320-pound frame.

Washington isn't just a space-eater, which is why he worthy of first-round consideration. He's a disruptive presence that violently sheds blocks and resets the line of scrimmage. His inclusion gives Denver something completely different than what the group currently features.

Like any good interior defender, Washington's play makes life easier for everyone around him."

That would make two years in a row that the Broncos' first pick in the draft was used on a defensive lineman, but it's a move that makes sense. Though Washington doesn't play one of the more exciting positions on the field, he is the kind of player who does all the things that go unnoticed quite well.

Washington was a backup for his first two seasons at Oregon, but the fact that he's a first-round prospect in the eyes of some draft analysts shows how quickly he made an impact for the Ducks. Last season, his first as a starter, he registered 33 tackles and 1.5 sacks. But the seven pass deflections he had were his most impressive statistic, as he is very good at batting the ball down at the line of scrimmage.

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The development of Denver's defensive line will be a key factor for the Broncos this coming season. If Onyedim, Jones and Uwazurike play lights-out football, the team would likely not be considering a nose tackle in the first round. But based on what we know about the current makeup of the unit, this could be a solid pick for the team and Washington's is a name to start keeping tabs on for that reason.