Broncos urged to use last remaining top-100 pick to fix biggest issue on defense

The Denver Broncos are a Super Bowl contender, and they're acting like it this offseason. While they've mainly re-signed their own players, they have made one major move.

They traded for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. It's a great pickup for the offense, but it didn't come cheap. The Broncos gave up their 2026 first-round and third-round pick to land Waddle. They now only have their second-round pick at 62nd overall.

With that lone top-100 pick, ESPN's Bill Barnwell is urging the Broncos to fix their biggest issue on the roster with an interior defensive lineman. At 62nd overall, Barnwell is urging the Broncos to draft a defensive tackle.

Broncos urged to use 62nd pick on DT in 2026 NFL Draft

"The solution: Use that second-round pick on a tackle," Barnwell writes. "Paton and Payton still have the 62nd pick, and going after a defensive tackle in that range who can rotate in as a rookie would make sense for the Broncos."

With defensive tackle being their biggest need, thanks to John Franklin-Myers signing with the Tennessee Titans for $63 million in free agency, the Broncos need to find a new interior defensive lineman.

There are likely going to be a few interesting options available for Denver at their pick. Unfortunately, Kayden McDonald from Ohio State, Caleb Banks from Florida, and Peter Woods from Clemson will all likely be gone.

Christen Miller out of Georgia and Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech will also likely both be off the board come the Broncos' pick at 62nd overall. Unfortunately, after those IDL options, there's a bit of a drop-off in talent.

More: John Franklin-Myers to sign with Titans on $63 million contract

Oklahoma's Gracen Halton, Iowa State's Dominique Orange, Florida State's Darrell Jackson Jr., Michigan's Rayshaun Benny, Cincinnati's Dontay Corleone, and Southeastern Louisiana's Kaleb Proctor will all likely be available.

It's far from a guarantee that the Broncos can land an instant-impact player with the 62nd overall pick in an iffy draft class, but one of these interior defensive linemen would be a reasonable option with their lone top-100 pick.

The Broncos don't just need to prepare to go all-in this upcoming season; they also need to plan for the future as well. That's why an interior defensive lineman to be a long-term replacement for Franklin-Myers at 62 overall makes a ton of sense.

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• Courtland Sutton trade idea lands AJ Brown from Eagles
• J.K. Dobbins to re-sign with Broncos on two-year deal
• Patriots to sign Romeo Doubs amid interest from Broncos in Packers WR
• P.J. Locke to sign with Cowboys leaving Broncos’ safety depth a question mark