Broncos' under-25 ranking from ESPN is concerning sign for their future

The Denver Broncos are coming into the 2026 NFL season as one of the top Super Bowl contenders coming out of the AFC.

After getting so close in 2025, they're bound to be a top contender this season. But, looking into the future, things are a little concerning for the Broncos.

As ESPN's Aaron Schatz shared in his under-25 ranking of each team's players who are under 25 years old, the Broncos earned a 31st ranking, second worst in the NFL, which is a worrying outlook for their future status as contenders.

Broncos ranking 31st in ESPN's under-25 ranking is very worrying

"31. Denver Broncos. Last year's rank: 32. Blue Chips: None," Schatz writes. "... Otherwise, the Broncos are way down here in part because they didn't have a pick in 2026 until the third round."

After trading for Jaylen Waddle using their 2026 first-round pick, the Broncos showed their commitment to 2026 as a pseudo all-in season.

While they might not be as all-in as the Los Angeles Rams (who fittingly ranked 32nd in this ESPN ranking), the Broncos' actions this offseason have not helped their youth movement on the roster.

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Sure, they might have Jahdae Barron on defense (who turns 25 in December), and the wide receiver trio of Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims Jr., but their overall youth isn't in a good spot.

Since the Broncos players under 25 years old on the roster aren't abundant, nor are they high-impact players, there is real reason to worry about the team's future.

Things should be okay in 2026 and 2027, and maybe even in 2028 if Nix continues to develop into a star quarterback. But, in the long-term, there should be some serious concern about how long this contention window for the Broncos will last.

This isn't anything to panic about, but it is something that the Broncos will need to consider in future offseasons as they try to extend this window of contention.

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