The Denver Broncos took a lot of the drama out of their 2026 NFL draft when they traded their 1st round pick (No. 30 overall) for Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
That doesn’t mean something incredible can’t come out of the draft, and that something incredible might still be the Broncos’ 1st pick, which came in the 3rd round with Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim (No. 66 overall).
Onyedim, 6-foot-3 and 292 pounds, could very well be a plug-and-play replacement for defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who left in free agency for a 3-year, $63 million free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has already said Onyedim will get a chance to take JFM’s spot in the starting lineup, where Malcolm Roach is currently listed at the top of the depth chart.
“Tyler Onyedim absolutely has a shot at taking John Franklin–Myers‘ spot on the Broncos’ defensive line this year,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account.
“I think this is a guy who can come in and make an impact,” NFL draft expert Fran Duffy said. “Kind of a hybrid body type … Played in a couple different schemes. I like the fit here.”
Onyedim Won’t Be Handed Starting Role
To be clear, Onyedim won’t just be handed a starting role in arguably the NFL’s best defense.
“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,” Heavy’s Josh Buckhalter wrote. “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.”
The Ringer’s Todd McShay compared Onyedim to NFL All-Pro Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike in his pre-draft evaluation, as well as comparing him to a former Bronco.
“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.”
Broncos Head Into 2026 With Question Marks
The Broncos were just 1 bad break — literally — away from making the Super Bowl last season after starting quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle on 1 of the final plays of an overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
The Broncos were the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs and lost to the New England Patriots 1 week later in the AFC Championship Game, 10-7, as they struggled to move the ball downfield in a snowstorm.
ESPNBet’s Super Bowl odds show that questions over Nix’s ankle are already impacting how the Broncos are viewed as contenders — they jumped from 18-1 to 19-1 odds to win the Super Bowl in the last week, with BetMGM even putting them at 20-1 odds.
Broncos Rookie Could Replace $63 Million Free Agent in Starting Lineup