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The Denver Broncos have gone through a bumpy road since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. But after missing the playoffs in eight straight years, Sean Payton has taken the team to the postseason in back-to-back seasons and came within a couple of plays of getting the team back to the Super Bowl.
Along the way, the Broncos have had many great draft picks to help offset some really bad ones. On the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, we're going to take a look at some of the picks that have gone well.
I already discussed the five worst picks since the team last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Those players flamed out quickly, but as you'll see with this list, many of these players are still on the team.
Honorable Mentions
Justin Simmons, Safety, Boston College: 3rd round, 2016
Justin Simmons had a stellar career with the Broncos that spanned eight seasons and saw him selected to the Pro Bowl twice while being named a Second-team All-Pro four times. He never played in a playoff game and though that's not a knock on his individual talent, it does limit him to the honorable mention section.
Quinn Meinerz, Guard, Wisconsin-Whitewater: 3rd round, 2021
The Broncos chose to take a chance on Quinn Meinerz out of Division III in 2021 despite most people only knowing him for a crazy outdoors workout video and talking about eating squirrels. In five seasons, he has become one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL.
Denver Broncos' top 5 draft picks since 2016
5. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU: 2nd round, 2018
Courtland Sutton has become one of the top wide receivers in team history despite having a rash of unsteady play at the quarterback position until recently. He has 453 career receptions for 6,357 yards and 39 touchdowns. He has also been named to two Pro Bowls.
4. Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma: 2nd round, 2022
A quiet rookie season had many people questioning this pick but Nik Bonitto has quickly transformed into one of the league's most dominant edge rushers. He has been named to back-to-back Pro Bowls and has posted 35.5 sacks over the last three seasons. He still has plenty of time to make noise for the team, as he is only 26 years old.
3. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: 1st round, 2024
The Broncos caught some flak initially when they made this pick, as Bo Nix, despite being selected No. 12 overall in 2024, was the sixth quarterback taken in that class. Well, it's worked out quite nicely for the team.
The Broncos were in desperate need of a franchise quarterback when they found Nix and in two seasons as the team's starter, he has taken the Broncos to the playoffs in both and has the team knocking on the door of a Super Bowl run.
2. Garett Bolles, OT, Utah: 1st round, 2017
Garett Bolles was a slow developer for the Broncos after becoming the team's starting left tackle and having his play completely overshadowed by holding penalties. But once he was able to settle down, he showed that he can be one of the most consistent left tackles in the league.
He will be entering his 10th season with the team in 2026 and he will turn 34 years old at the end of May, but he is still one of the team's leaders and one of the guys the Broncos count on most.
1. Pat Surtain II, Cornerback, Alabama: 1st round, 2021
The Broncos had several directions they could have gone in with the No. 9 overall pick in 2021 and many were upset that they passed on taking quarterback Justin Fields. Instead, they took Pat Surtain II, a player whom hardly anyone thought the Broncos would take.
HOT READ: Which position are Broncos most likely to target with first pick in 2026 NFL Draft?
But what the Broncos have gotten is the best cornerback in the league, one who was chosen as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and one who can completely dominate a game by eliminating a team's No. 1 wide receiver. Currently, he is on a short list of the best players in the league.
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