Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos TOP TARGETS for 2026 NFL Draft at Positions of Need

Starting point is 00:00:00 The 26 NFL draft is a great one for the Denver Broncos needs. And today we're taking a look at some of my favorite guys. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. We've got just a couple of weeks before the 26 NFL draft, which means you can still write up those wish lists and get them out there for the Denver Broncos to scour.

Starting point is 00:00:32 And certainly Broncos country, we've all got our. favorite players when it comes to the NFL draft. If you're listening to this, I assume you are just as big of a fan of the NFL draft as me. And this is the most wonderful time of the year as far as I'm concerned when it comes to the NFL calendar because there is nothing quite like the excitement and just the off the wall. You never know what could possibly happen when it comes to the NFL draft, even though the Broncos don't pick until the second round. Still going to be a lot of fun. and they can attack a lot of different needs with this particular draft class. I'm going to get into some of my favorite players at each of the team's top positions of need

Starting point is 00:01:08 on today's bonus episode of the show. Welcome in to all of you out there in Broncos country. Thanks so much for making Lockdown Broncos your first listen of the day. Every single day. My name is Sarah Bedinger, co-host here of Lockdown Broncos as well as the site expert at predominantly Orange. And like I said, if you're like me, you love this time a year. And we all put together our wish lists, right? We all put together our, hey, mock drafts and look through a ton of different mock draft scenarios.

Starting point is 00:01:34 We'll have another mock draft for you again next week as well as we get closer to the draft. But I think one thing that's important to do always when it comes to the NFL draft is to separate my guys, hashtag my guys, right? My favorite personal players that I've been able to watch and kind of, you know, armchair GM, scout these guys, watch their highlights, watch some of their game tape, watch what other people are, you know, who are in the next. know are saying about these people and really kind of get as informed of an opinion on as many prospects as I possibly can. And certainly, you don't want to do a couple of things. You don't want to get too attached to the idea that the Broncos will draft your guys. But also, you don't necessarily want to follow what Sean Payton calls that NFL train, which talks about, hey, you should like this guy or this guy is a guaranteed second round pick or a guaranteed first round pick

Starting point is 00:02:25 because ultimately when it comes to the NFL draft, you just don't know what's going to to happen and every team looks at these players differently. But I want to talk about some of my favorite guys. That's enough setup of that. Let's get into the running back position first. I've got two hashtag my guys at the running back position. One of them is Jonah Coleman from Washington. The other one is Nick Singleton out of Penn State.

Starting point is 00:02:46 I like both of these guys for different reasons. And no, this doesn't mean those are the only two running backs that I would want the Broncos to get. These are just two backs that I kind of find myself gravitating towards. Jonah Coleman is fascinating to me because he kind of fills exactly what the Denver Broncos need at the running back position, right? They obviously need depth. He can provide you some depth, but they also might need somebody who can do a little bit of everything, especially on third downs. He's a great pass catcher out of the backfield, top three in terms of the most 20 plus yard receptions as a running back last season at Washington.

Starting point is 00:03:23 But also, he's a very good pass protector. and he shares that same philosophy that we heard from Pat Bryant last year, right, where it's like, if you don't block, you don't get the rock. And so Jonah Coleman understands exactly what he needs to do in order to be an effective running back at the NFL level. He even talked at the scouting combine, and this was shared in a tweet by Luca Evans. So shout out to him for this one. But he even shared at the scouting combine, you know, the perspective that he has,

Starting point is 00:03:50 which is that the quarterback is typically a $100 million guy. And he was just throwing out an arbitrary number. He's like, there's a difference between the guy who makes 100 million and a guy who makes two million, meaning the running back. So he understands his role when it comes to protecting the quarterback, that the quarterback is the most important player on the field. And that type of mentality, I think, will endear him to a coaching staff like the Denver Broncos.

Starting point is 00:04:14 And of course, they've also kind of prioritized guys out in the Pacific Northwest in recent years. So I wouldn't be surprised if Jonah Coleman is very high on Denver's list. He's certainly high on mine. A 5 foot 8, get this, 5 foot 8, 220 plus pounds. I mean, when you talk about being built like an absolute bowling ball, he embodies that. Nick Singleton is the other my guy at the running back position, a guy that I really like. And for a very different reasons, right? Obviously, he's a big back.

Starting point is 00:04:44 So I think that's something that the Broncos need is a bigger bodied running back who could take on some of that between the tackles type of work that they would be asking of these guys. But also, you know, he's a three-down player. He's a kickoff returner potentially for you. And he's somebody who is a former five-star prospect who has just, he's just had a natural gift for a long time. I mean, sometimes we're talking about guys who are either learning the game, you know, they're very raw in certain areas. Just natural football IQ and being good at the game is a huge deal when it comes

Starting point is 00:05:19 to translating to the pros. It's a big reason why I think the Broncos prioritize older prospects, sometime. But I like Nick Singleton a lot. Former five-star player did not necessarily live up to the next Sequin Barclay reputation at Penn State, but certainly somebody who proves he can be a capable three down back at the NFL level, probably going to be available on day three, maybe late day two. I would say more likely day three where the Broncos have two fourth round picks and a fifth round pick. I think Nick Singleton is one of those guys that, man, I'd be banging the table for him on day three if he's still available.

Starting point is 00:05:54 But I would say my pecking order between those two goes Jonah Coleman and Nick Singleton. And again, those aren't the only running backs I like, but those are a couple of guys that I'd be pounding the table for. At the tight end position, my guys, I've got Eli Raritan, Dallin, Dallin Bentley, and Oscar Delp. I think this is a really good tight end class. And I think the Broncos can take advantage of the depth of it in a number of different ways. I think they could take a second round pick. They could take a second round flyer on somebody like.

Starting point is 00:06:22 like Eli Stowers or maybe Max Claire from Ohio State. I think they could wait until day three and take somebody in the fourth round, like Eli Raritan or Oscar Delp. I think they could wait until even later, maybe round five and take somebody like Dallin Bentley. I just think this is a draft where you definitely want to get somebody that you believe can be a future difference maker in the passing game. And the reasons why I like all these guys, I mean, I love the fact that Notre Dame just cranks out tight ends.

Starting point is 00:06:51 and Eli Raritan has that type of size, length, soft hands, the past catching ability, the ability to play in line. He's athletic. I think he would be a great fit for the Broncos on day three. Dallin Bentley comes from that Utah program where we've seen a number of guys, you know, for the Denver Broncos at different positions, right? The Broncos have really liked Utah prospects. And I think that Dallin Bentley, I mean,

Starting point is 00:07:18 obviously last year they took Caleb Loner in the seventh round. I think Dallin Bentley is a much better pro prospect. Obviously, he, you know, played more than 59 snaps at the college level. Let's be real about it for a second here. But obviously needs work in the blocking department. But as a pass catcher, as a receiver, I mean, this guy is really good. He had no drops. Get this.

Starting point is 00:07:39 No drops on 76 targets last season. And at 260 pounds, 255 pounds, he's got the size. He's got the arm length, the explosiveness, a 462 in the first. 40, 35 inch vertical jump. So Dallin Bentley has those athletic types of skills. The problem is he's over 25 years old already. So that's probably why he'll be going later on in this draft class. So fifth, sixth round pick for Dallin Bentley would not be upset about that.

Starting point is 00:08:07 And then Oscar Delp is a guy that I really like. And I would be very pleased if the Broncos could move up and get him in the late portion of the third round. I know that he's not necessarily going to be the next Brock Bowers by any means, but he did play with Brock Bowers. And he's a true in-line type of tight end who has that joker type of athleticism. I mean, big time speed, 4-49 in the four-yard dash, 38-inch vertical jump. He's 6'5, 245 pounds. He's a very, very good overall player. And I think that there's untapped potential with Oscar Delp as it relates to being a past catching threat at

Starting point is 00:08:47 the NFL level. So then you look to the offensive line. three guys that I really like for the Denver Broncos, Markell Bell from Miami, just an absolute mammoth of an offensive tackle prospect, very athletic, long arms, over 36 inch arms. So it's tough for defenders to get by him. It's tough for them to get through him. He's just too big. Same as said of Travis Burke. I think both of those two guys, Markle Bell out of Miami, Travis Burke out of Memphis. Those two guys could be developmental starting tackle options for the Denver Broncos. And then Jennings Dunker. I got to go with an Iowa Hawk.

Starting point is 00:09:22 I got to have one somewhere on this list. Jennings Dunker played right tackle at Iowa. Could potentially be a swing tackle guard when it comes to the NFL. I think maybe a starting left guard for the future for the Denver Broncos, but somebody who could give you options along with Alex Palcheseke and Frank Crum as developmental players for this future of the offensive line. I think Jennings Dunker would be a really, really good player for the Broncos to consider maybe moving up to the back end of round three to go and get if he's still.

Starting point is 00:09:50 there or maybe they just take him at the back end of round two. Maybe they view him as a immediate starter or a starter as early as 2027. So a lot of different guys on the offensive side of the ball, but we have to look at the defensive side as well because I think defensive line is in play for the Broncos at 62. And I also feel like, man, linebacker. This is the best class of linebackers that I've seen in a long time. I'm going to tell you some of my favorites coming up on today's episode,

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Starting point is 00:12:18 and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. Who are some of my guys for the Denver Broncos on the back end of the draft? At least maybe we're talking about the back end of day two, early day three. Maybe with that second round pick even on the defensive line, Broncos country,

Starting point is 00:12:44 we're going to get into some of my guys. But once again, just quickly want to say thank you to all of you every dayers out there. Thanks for rocking with lockdown Broncos all throughout the course of the offseason. Let's talk about some my guys on defense, specifically at the positions I feel are sort of the biggest areas of need for the Broncos. I didn't put safeties in there for the time being. Maybe we'll get to some safety prospects as we get closer to the draft. I do think that's a sleeper position for the team there in the second round.

Starting point is 00:13:09 Guy like AJ Halsey could make some sense for the Broncos there. We'll see what happens. Broncos country. Don't want to get too ahead of ourselves here. But on the defensive line, there's three guys that I would. say, man, I'll be pounding the table for these guys. At Pick 62, I'd be pounding the table for Caleb Banks out of Florida. I know he only played three games last year. I know there's some question marks around his game, but I feel like he's one of the players that at 62, if you

Starting point is 00:13:34 could get him there, you're truly getting a first round talent. So if we come back at some point, the Broncos take Caleb Banks, remember that I said that, that I believe he's got first round talent. I can't tell you how many mock drafts I put Caleb Banks in the first round. round of. You just don't see guys who are 65, 66, 365 plus pounds with the movement skills that he has. And I just think he could be an instant impact player for a defensive line rotation. As he learns how to be a professional on the defensive line there, man, I think the ceiling is unlimited for Caleb Banks. So I'd be taking him at 62 if I had the chance. And other guys at the defensive line that I really like for the Denver Broncos, I really like

Starting point is 00:14:17 Caleb Proctor and Landon Robinson. I think those are the two, maybe day three of the draft. I think those are two of the highest upside potential pass rush options that the Broncos could take. I know the Broncos have had pre-draft visits with a couple of guys like Missouri's Chris McClellan, but I think those two guys, Caleb Proctor, who's not to be confused with Caden Proctor on the offensive line, but Caleb Proctor from southeastern Louisiana and then Landon Robinson from Navy, those are two prospects that I,

Starting point is 00:14:47 love the pass rush upside. I love that they're kind of just dogs on the interior with quickness off the ball, heavy hands. They have a different and really expansive pass rush plan. And that's rare for guys to get to the NFL level to be able to have that. Because when you're a smaller or when you're slightly undersized on the interior defensive line, you better have a good pass rush plan. And those two guys are pretty low cut, not necessarily like tiny by any means,

Starting point is 00:15:15 but their lower center of gravity, longer arms, good leverage, good pass rush options there on day three, that if the Broncos want to address the John Franklin Myers loss in the NFL draft, those two guys would absolutely get the job done. And then we got to spend some time on the linebacker position. Look, Broncos country, I'm going to say this again. I've said it before. The more you dig into the linebacker position of this year's NFL draft, the more you find that there's just no end to this class.

Starting point is 00:15:45 I mean, it's one athlete after another, one three-year starter after another, one potential diamond in the rough after another. Just when you feel like you've reached the end, you dig a little bit further, and you find a whole other group of players. So by no means, is this an expansive list? These are just my guys that I've watched, that I've gotten the chance to kind of say, hey, I think he could be a fun fit for the Denver Broncos,

Starting point is 00:16:11 and they're all a variety of skill sets. Jacob Rodriguez, I think, is everybody's favorite Broncos target at linebacker, the Texas Tech star who had 11 forced turnovers last year, seven forced fumbles, ridiculous, along with four interceptions. I believe he forced 19 total turnovers over the course of his time at the collegiate level. So just crazy stuff. And I feel like that's the type of guy. And when Sean Payton says he wants more takeaways from that defense, that's the type of guy who can get it done.

Starting point is 00:16:41 I also love Josiah Trotter, the Missouri linebacker, the Broncos. Missouri is tied for the most players on the Denver Broncos roster out of any school in college football. We were all making jokes about how they had so many Texas Longhorns players, so many Utah players, so many Oklahoma players. Well, guess what? They've got five Missouri Tigers on the roster right now. And they've obviously spent a lot of time there. And Josiah Trotter has NFL bloodlines. And so we know that the Broncos also value that.

Starting point is 00:17:12 And I think that in terms of run stuffing, blitzing, he's one of the best in this class. He's not necessarily ready for NFL coverage duties just yet. But give this guy some time. I think he could be a really well-rounded linebacker. Speaking of well-rounded, Anthony Hill Jr., the Broncos already have a ton of Texas players on this team. They've got a direct line of communication. with Vance Joseph's cousin being on the coaching staff there.

Starting point is 00:17:37 They clearly have loved Texas defensive prospects and feel like they can be a fit for their system, fit for their culture. So Anthony Hill, Jr. out of Texas is one of the guys that I've loved watching. Another turnover machine, just great size, outstanding athleticism, the ability to play sideline to sideline, be a quarterback spy, rush the passer, make impact plays and coverage. I think he's a high upside type of guy. Speaking of high upside, Harold Perkins out of LSU is one of my personal favorites. I know that not everybody in Broncos country loves his abilities, but a former five-star guy,

Starting point is 00:18:12 I feel like, man, he showed in his first two years at LSU, just outrageous production, rushing the quarterback from the off-ball linebacker position. And I think he can be a elite cover linebacker at the next level. I know that he's not there right now, but he's still a very young player. And I think he can become one of the most complete linebackers from this class. We'll see what ends up happening there. Jake Golda from Cincinnati.

Starting point is 00:18:37 He's another player that I really like as well. When you watch him, that size jumps off the board. I mean, he's big, he's athletic, he's productive, he's got range. I really like his skill set as it translates to the NFL. I think the Broncos would have to use a second round pick on him. He's going to be 23 this coming season, two-year starter at the Cincinnati program. And listen to these numbers. I mean, at his pro day, nearly six foot five, six four and five eights.

Starting point is 00:19:05 And at the NFL scouting combine, he ran a four, six two in the 40, 39 inch vertical jump with a 1.59 second 10 yards split. So man, he's got some serious and a 6.89 in a three cone at his pro day, which is outstanding agility, quickness, change of direction. He's a former defense event. So maybe a little bit of Drew Sanders there. Maybe you take a kind of a second shot at somebody like this, but definitely a physical standout. He's kind of an athletic freak, one of those types of guys that you kind of bank on his athleticism

Starting point is 00:19:42 and just sort of natural playmaking ability really translating to the next level. So Broncos country, again, not an expansive list, but those are some of my guys, some of my favorite prospects for this team going into the 2026 NFL draft. We'd love to hear who are some of your favorite prospects at each of these positions. Let us know in the comments if you're watching on YouTube, but we appreciate you so much. Can't wait for the NFL draft. We're going to have tons more content for you as we get closer just two weeks away here.

Starting point is 00:20:10 So make sure you stay locked in to Locked on Broncos, and we'll catch you on the next episode of the show.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos TOP TARGETS for 2026 NFL Draft at Positions of Need

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