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5 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
In his latest seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft, NFL.com's Chad Reuter has the Denver Broncos using their first-round pick to select North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton at No. 20 overall. "Hampton is the kind of true lead back the Broncos haven't had since Sean Payton took over in 2023," Reuter wrote on NFL.com.
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5 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
The Denver Broncos are currently slated to make seven selections in the 2025 NFL draft, but that can (and probably will) change after trades. Since John Elway stepped down as president of football operations in 2022, Paton has made three draft-day trades in each of the last three drafts. That trend suggests we'll see more movement this year -- and initial trade talks have already started.
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5 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
The Denver Broncos found a fitting former player to announce one of their picks in the 2025 NFL draft next week. This year's draft will be held in Wisconsin, and retired running back Montee Ball is set to select one of Denver's picks on Day 2 (Friday, April 25). Ball, of course, broke NCCA records during his decorated college career with the Wisconsin Badgers.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
ESPN's Field Yates has the Denver Broncos adding a pair of weapons on offense in his recent two-round NFL mock draft. With their first selection in Yates' mock, the Broncos land North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton at pick No. 20. "I see Hampton as a legitimate three-down back for coach Sean Payton," Yates wrote on ESPN.com. Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns at UNC last fall. In the second round of the mock, Denver lands Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo at pick No. 51.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
Former Denver Broncos coach Wade Phillips is taking a leave of absence from his role as head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas, the United Football League announced on Wednesday. “The UFL is extremely grateful for the leadership that Wade has delivered to the UFL as head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas," UFL president/CEO Russ Brandon and UFL executive V.P. of football operations Daryl Johnston said in a joint statement.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
Many mock drafts have the Denver Broncos selecting a wide receiver early in next week's NFL draft, but coach Sean Payton has hinted that he does not view WR as big of a need as some pundits seem to. So, if the Broncos pass on wide receivers early, who could be available later in the draft? We've put together a quick list of 10 receivers who could still be on the board on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) of the draft next week. 1. CSU WR Tory Horton: 6-2, 196 pounds. 40-yard dash: 4.41.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
The Denver Broncos had a tight-knit quarterback room with Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson last season. The band was broken up this spring when Wilson left the club for a promotion with the Miami Dolphins, but the two founding members (Stidham and Nix) remain. Stidham, 28, has six years of experience in the NFL and he's proven to be an excellent mentor for Nix, 25. Broncos coach Sean Payton noted last fall that Stidham was a calming presence in the QB room during Nix's rookie season.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
The Denver Broncos were able to recruit coveted free agent tight end Evan Engram this spring in part because he liked what he's seen from young quarterback Bo Nix. But Nix was not the driving force to get the deal done. Rather, it was a somewhat unexpected member of the team's coaching staff. Not Sean Payton. Not offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Not tight ends coach Austin King. Webb, 30, and Engram, 30, were both picked by the New York Giants in the same draft class in 2017.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
Even after signing Evan Engram during NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos are still in the tight end market as they approach the 2025 NFL draft. Engram is an elite receiving tight end, so much so that he might end up lining up as a wide receiver more often than as a blocker in Sean Payton's offense. Engram is also set to turn 31 this fall and he has a two-year deal, so Denver would be wise to add a well-rounded long-term tight end in the draft next week.
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6 days ago | 
broncoswire.usatoday.com | Jon Heath
Who could have seen it coming? (Everyone.)If the Denver Broncos use their first-round pick to select North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton 20th overall in next week's NFL draft, nobody will be surprised. He has been a popular pick for the Broncos in mock drafts, and USA TODAY's latest first-round projection is no exception.
