Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, one of the main focuses for the Denver Broncos was adding depth on day 3. One of the positions general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton said they were going to focus on was OL.
With their second pick of the fourth round, the Broncos did just that.
“Broncos select Boise State OL Kage Casey at No. 111, per source,” Broncos’ beat writer Luca Evans wrote on X.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Denver Broncos finished the 2025 NFL season with the no. 1 overall offensive line, only allowing six sacks during the regular season. Casey’s addition to the team adds another level of depth for an already strong position in Denver.
Casey sits at 6’5 5/8″ and 310 pounds. He redshirted his freshman year at Boise State, then started as left tackle in his final three collegiate seasons. Casey also received First-Team Mountain West honors in sophomore and junior year, while also receiving Second-Team honors in freshman year.
The Denver Broncos were hoping to add an offensive lineman, as their current players are a little bit older and need to bring in a fresh body to help with depth. And lucky for the 22-year-old, he was drafted to a team with one of the players he modeled his game after.
Kage Casey Says He Modeled His Game After Broncos’ All-Pro Garett Bolles
Having one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, it’s no surprise that college players are looking to the Denver Broncos’ players for inspiration. Ironically enough, the Broncos third draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Kage Casey claims that Garett Bolles is who he looked to the most when it came to building his game.
During his press conference immediately following the selection, Casey was to mention the inspiration from All-Pro tackle and nine-year veteran, Bolles.
“I know, especially, Garett Bolles, he’s a guy who I try to model my own game after,” Casey said per a tweet from Luca Evans. He later added that he liked how consistent Bolles is as a pass protector.
Bolles has spent his entire career with the Broncos and even signed a four-year, $82 million contract in 2024 to ensure he was a “Denver Bronco for life.”
It will be interesting to see how Casey fits into the Denver Broncos offensive line, the 22-year-old is a versatile player, who he even took snaps at center.
“I think I play quick, aggressive, my football intelligence and my ability to read the field and slow down the game for myself – see pressure, see where a defender’s going to be moving post-snap allows me to play fast,” Casey said. “And I’m an extremely consistent guy, I’m disciplined. And I’m ready to learn, wherever I need to be.”
Casey was later asked where he sees himself fitting in the Broncos’ system, “As of right now, I don’t know for sure.” He then said he would play wherever they needed him.
Was excellent last two years in pass-pro at Boise St. 1.6% pressure rate on pass-blocking snaps, per PFF data.
Luca Evans claims that with his size it would make sense for the rookie to shift inside. Casey had a 1.6% pressure rate on pass-blocking snaps his last two years at Boise State.
Getty
Kage Casey Goes From Boise State Bronco to Denver Bronco
Kage Casey spent four years as a Boise State Bronco, and gets a full-circle moment on his NFL draft by going from Bronco to another. Amongst his excitement for the opportunity to be in the NFL, Casey made it a point to note about how special it is become a Denver Bronco.
“It is so surreal,” Casey said via a tweet from Zac Stevens. “I am so excited. I’m so excited to be a Bronco again”
Casey later added that he was hoping that he would become a Denver Bronco. The young tackle claimed he first met Denver at Senior Bowl, then had formal at meeting at the combine, expressing that both meetings were “awesome.”
Broncos’ Add 310-Pound OL In 4th Round, Who Modeled Game After Garett Bolles