Why the Broncos drafted DT Tyler Onyedim
Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim (11) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images After a small trade back that netted them an extra 6th round pick, the Denver Broncos made their first (and only so far) selection of the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim. He is a 6-3, 292-pound defensive lineman with 34-inch arms, and profiles as a one-gap penetrator for the Broncos.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had him graded as his 74th overall player, ranked him as his 7th-best defensive tackle in the draft, and had a 3rd-round grade on him. Onyedim appeared in 53 games over five seasons with Iowa State (four seasons) and Texas A&M (one season) and totaled 138 tackles, 20. 5 tackles for a loss, 5.
5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. #Broncos HC Sean Payton on what stood out with the Tyler Onyedim pick: “Really, the athleticism. Playing a position that, it’s always hard to find, defensive tackle.
” pic. twitter. com/QOdtZhSsn8 — Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) April 25, 2026 Brugler calls Onyedim a well-rounded defensive tackle with no “fatal flaw” to his game and says he profiles as a one-gap penetrator and a dependable rotational piece.
Onyedim is quick out of his stance and has adequate athleticism to shoot gaps and slice through blocks. His hands and feet stay connected as he works the blocker’s edge, but he reverts to a predictable long-arm move as his go-to plan B and needs to evolve beyond that. Against the run, he plays with awareness and extension to do his job, but he struggles reacting to double teams and down blocks.