Broncos will aim to continue draft success without a 1st-round pick
For the third time in the George Paton era, the Broncos are going into a draft without a first-round pick. It worked out well the last two times.
For the third time in general manager George Paton's six-year tenure, the Denver Broncos are approaching an NFL draft without a first-round draft pick. The team did not hold first-round picks in 2022 or 2023 following the trades for quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Sean Payton . In both of those offseasons, Denver's first picks came in the second round (Nos.
64 and 63, respectively). Now, after trading their first-round pick to acquire wide receiver Jaylen Waddle , the Broncos are once again set to make their first pick in the second round (No. 62) of the 2026 NFL draft.
Fans in Denver can only hope Paton nails the pick like he did in 2022 and 2023. Four years ago, Paton used pick No. 64 to select Oklahoma pass rusher Nik Bonitto.
After a quiet rookie season, Bonitto has totaled 35. 5 sacks, 72 quarterback hits and five forced fumbles over the last three seasons. Bonitto has Pro Bowl selections in each of the last two years, plus a second-team All-Pro nod in 2024 (he was just one vote short of All-Pro recognition last season).