The Denver Broncos hold the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and the team could be considering several options. The idea should be to leave the draft with as much offensive firepower as they can find in order to help Bo Nix grow even more in year two.
Several players have been discussed as potential first-round picks for the Broncos. Tight ends Tyler Warren (Penn State) and Colston Loveland (Michigan) are popular picks in mock drafts. Some feel Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could fall down to Denver and Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has also been mentioned.
But Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports sees things differently. In his latest mock draft, many of those players are already off the board when the Broncos get their chance to pick, but Easterling has them buying the recent hype surrounding North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.
“Denver has a handful of decent role players in the backfield, but nobody who can bring Hampton’s three-down skill set at overall athleticism to the table”, wrote Easterling.
Hampton is coming off of back-to-back strong seasons for the Tar Heels, rushing for 3,104 yards and 30 touchdowns in that time. He also caught 67 passes and had three receiving touchdowns. He is rising up draft boards in recent weeks, but is he really a first-round pick? Would he be a better selection than Loveland?
That is highly debatable.
If the Broncos are unable to get Jeanty (he goes sixth overall in this mock), it seems questionable to take a running back over a tight end or a wide receiver. Sean Payton is looking for a “Joker” for his offense who can create an advantage in the running and passing game, but this draft has players who can do that in later rounds.
Loveland, who goes to the Los Angeles Chargers two picks after the Broncos select Hampton in this mock, has the ability to be a top five tight end in the league. It doesn’t seem like the wisest choice, but it would come down to how Payton felt at the time. Perhaps he’d get the same kind of feeling for Hampton that he did for Nix last spring.
The Broncos do need to add at least one running back this offseason. Javonte Williams is likely to leave the team in free agency. Would the Broncos draft his replacement in the first round out of the same school? It seems unlikely, but time will tell.
MORE BRONCOS CONTENT
Broncos still considered top spot for former NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Broncos predicted to sign 70-TD running back who might be best possible fit available
Broncos will hold training camp practices with two NFC West teams this summer
Broncos predicted to lose quarterback to team looking to create QB competition
Broncos predicted to trade standout defensive player who they traded for last year
