The Denver Broncos did not make a selection on Day 1 of the 2026 draft and then opted to back out of their would-be first pick in Round 2, following their trade with the Buffalo Bills, taking former Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim.
The Bills used the capital from the Broncos to select cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
Denver does not have a need for corners, not with 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II and a group that includes their 2025 first-round pick (20th overall) Jahdae Barron.
Broncos Trade With Bills After AFC Divisional Playoff Win
GettyTyler Onyedim #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies in action during the Maroon & White spring football game.
The Broncos traded their first-round pick, which was 30th overall, to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. That left them as spectators until the back end of the second round, which was not until Day 2.
As the Broncos sat, their list of projected targets began to shrink, and a trade appeared more likely after rumblings emerged on Day 1.
In the end, the Broncos did a deal and still came away with a player they hope can contribute.
Broncos get:
- 2026 third-round pick (No. 66 overall)
- 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 182 overall)
Bills get:
- 2026 second-round pick (No. 62 overall/Davison Igbinosun)
Onyedim’s arrival comes at a fitting time, as the Broncos saw 2025 starting interior defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers sign with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
However, Onyedim will be allowed to develop, as the Broncos have already shown.
The Broncos figure to move veteran Malcolm Roach into the starting lineup alongside Zach Allen, moving 2025 third-round pick Sai’Vion Jones up a rung in the pecking order. Jones played in three games as a rookie, and Onyedim faces a similar situation in Year 1 with the Broncos.
Tyler Onyedim Draws Noteworthy Comparisons
GettyShelby Harris #93 of the Cleveland Browns reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Onyedim drew comparisons to Nnamdi Madubuike of the Baltimore Ravens and former Broncos defensive lineman Shelby Harris, now of the Cleveland Browns.
The Ringer’s Todd McShay ranked him eighth at his position and 96th overall in the 2026 class.
“Onyedim projects as a rotational IDL with upside in a penetrating scheme. His length, effort, and quickness give him disruptive potential, but adding strength and improving his anchor will be key to expanding his role at the next level. Nnamdi Madubuike (Ravens) is the high-end comp due to similarities in frame, length, quickness, effort, and upside coming out of Texas A&M,” McShay wrote.
“Madubuike is slightly faster, bendier, and had a more proven pass rush production profile entering the league. Shelby Harris (Browns) is more on point. They have similar frames, length, quickness, and speed.”
Onyedim joins a Broncos team and defense that has led the league in sacks in each of the past two seasons.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted Onyedim’s “impact,” calling him a “future star.”
“Onyedim is an impressive athlete with an explosive first step and long arms,” Zierlein wrote. “Beats blockers into gaps and uses active hands/feet to bypass them, making tackles in tight quarters or down the line. He competes at the point with a stiff punch and powerful upper half to stall blocks. He can set edges but lacks the lower-body mass to be a static defender inside. His pass rush is behind his run defense but the tools and flashes are promising.
“A future starter with the athleticism and scheme versatility to play as a 3-technique or odd-front end.”
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Broncos Land Tyler Onyedim After Swinging Draft-Day Trade With Bills