The Denver Broncos have become one of the top potential contenders in the AFC heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Sean Payton and company are loaded with talent on both sides of the football. Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Broncos will simply need to focus on adding the most talent possible. There are positions to target that could align with the best talent available.
After trading with the Miami Dolphins for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Denver will not pick until the second round. That pick will land at No. 62 overall.
Keeping that in mind, quite a few predictions are starting to come out with the NFL Draft under a week away. A new prediction would see the Broncos adding an elite defensive talent.
Broncos Predicted to Add Standout Defender Compared to NFL Star
On SI’s Erick Trickel has revealed a new seven-round mock draft for Denver. He has the Broncos focusing on the defensive side of the ball with the No. 62 overall pick.
Trickel has projected that Denver will end up taking Texas Tech standout linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with its second-round pick.
“This is a great linebacker class, and even with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad re-signed, the Broncos still have a ton of questions at the position. Their depth is concerning, and they should have a plethora of options at 62 to help upgrade the room,” Trickel wrote.
“Rodriguez is a legit starter-quality linebacker. Sure, he has some concerns about his length and tackling, but his football IQ, instincts, and ability to generate takeaways are excellent.”
Rodriguez has true star potential at the NFL level. If he reaches his ceiling, he could become a cornerstone for a Broncos’ defense that has become very good over the last few years.
What Would Jacob Rodriguez Bring to the Denver Defense?
The Ringer’s NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has provided an intriguing overview for Rodriguez. He went as far as to compare him to longtime star linebacker Demario Davis.
“Rodriguez should make an immediate impact on special teams and has the tools to develop into a starter,” McShay wrote. “Demario Davis is a loose comparison from an athletic and developmental standpoint, as he entered the league needing to clean up his tackling and consistency in coverage before becoming one of the NFL’s top linebackers.”
Simply being compared to Davis make Rodriguez a much more interesting prospect. He has all the tools and talent to be a very special player at the professional level.
Whether or not he’ll be available at pick No. 62 remains to be seen. However, if he is on the board, the Broncos would have a difficult time passing on him.
Broncos Predicted to Land Defender Compared to Longtime NFL Star