In his way-too-early first-round 2026 NFL mock draft, Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy has the Denver Broncos selecting Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen with the 17th overall pick. (Don't get too offended -- Popejoy noted that the order of picks was "largely random.")

The Broncos have been active during general manager George Paton’s tenure in adding Day 3 safeties. Jamar Johnson, Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner have all been drafted by Denver in the fifth round or later since 2021, though only Turner-Yell and Skinner remain on the roster.

Most mock drafts had the Denver Broncos taking a running back or tight end in the first round despite coach Sean Payton's strong hints that he wasn't necessarily bent on adding an offensive playmaker right away for his young quarterback,