The Denver Broncos are a team many draft analysts feel like they have figured out heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Many of the mock drafts out there have the team making similar picks, with most pointing to a running back in the first round.
But Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News feels differently. His recent seven-round mock has the Broncos going in a much different direction and if we have learned anything about Sean Payton over the course of his career, it’s that he beats to his own drum and isn’t worried about what the experts think.
Considering that, this predicted draft class could make sense for the Broncos.
Denver Broncos’ 7-round mock draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 20 | Jalon Walker | LB | Georgia |
| 2 | 51 | Quinshon Judkins | RB | Ohio State |
| 3 | 85 | Jordan Phillips | DT | Maryland |
| 4 | 122 | Pat Bryant | WR | Illinois |
| 6 | 191 | Luke Lachey | TE | Iowa |
| 6 | 197 | Caleb Ransaw | S | Tulane |
| 6 | 208 | Jason Marshall, Jr. | CB | Florida |
Jalon Walker, though talented, would be a highly questionable pick for the Broncos at No. 20.
Walker’s best position at the next level seems undetermined. Though he can play inside or outside, the Broncos have Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper and Jonah Elliss to rush the passer and the team just added Dre Greenlaw in free agency.
The Broncos also still have the untested Drew Sanders on the roster and it’s always been unclear which position the team will play him at. Walker could be a good addition, but the Broncos have needs in other areas that this would be an underwhelming selection.
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“The Broncos can use some extra punch to complement Nik Bonitto and newcomer Dre Greenlaw, and they should love Walker’s explosive playmaking versatility under Vance Joseph”, wrote Iyer.
In the second round, the Broncos get their running back. Most fans expect to see the Broncos get a new running back early in this draft. Judkins is a solid prospect and he would fit right in with Payton’s committee approach.
“The Broncos can land their new feature back to replace Javonte Williams. Judkins is a strong power runner for early downs and has some untapped receiving upside, too”, Iyer wrote.
In the third round, the Broncos stick with the defensive side of the ball, adding Jordan Phillips to the defensive line. This would be a solid pick as the Broncos are looking at having to extend both Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers and Phillips would be taken with an eye toward the future.
“The Broncos can use this pick to bolster depth on their three-man base front, and Phillips can give them a little of everything with his blend of power and agility”, wrote Iyer.
The Broncos can also use a wide receiver and have been connected to several names in the draft class. If Pay Bryant is one you’re not familiar with, you’re probably not alone. But he fits the physical build of the kind of receivers Payton looks for at 6-foot-3. He caught 10 touchdown passes at Illinois last season.
The Broncos take a tight end later in the draft in Luke Lachey, a raw prospect. He has great size at 6-foot-6 but he never caught more than 28 passes in a season at Iowa and had just four total touchdowns.
The Broncos could easily take this kind of approach in the draft but it seems it would be a bit of a missed opportunity as the team should be looking to find as many potential options on the offensive side of the ball as it can for Bo Nix. However, Payton likes to go against the grain, so a class like this is one fans should be prepared for.
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