Denver Broncos NFL Draft 2025 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs

The Denver Broncos have the 20th pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 24 in Green Bay. The Broncos own seven total picks in the seven-round draft.

Broncos’ draft picks

Full draft order

Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.

NFL Draft details

• Round 1: April 24, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 26, noon ET

All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

About the Broncos

• General manager: George Paton (fifth season with team)
• Head coach: Sean Payton (third season)
• Last year’s record: 10-7

The Broncos in 2024 defied gloomy preseason expectations by reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They did it behind promising rookie Bo Nix, the sixth quarterback taken in last year’s draft, and a young defense that led the NFL in sacks and featured the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. Denver added to that promising foundation during free agency with three key signings at positions of need — linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and tight end Evan Engram —  and believes it is ready to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs’ stranglehold on the AFC West.

Scouting the decision-makers

Sean Payton has the final say on personnel decisions, but he and general manager George Paton have found a collaborative rhythm in the draft. They were aligned in their pursuit of Nix last season and filled in a draft class behind him that significantly impacted Denver’s playoff season in 2024. Entering their third draft together, it’s the most continuity the Broncos have had between GM and coach since John Elway and John Fox worked together through four straight drafts (2011 to 2014).

• The Broncos’ 2024 NFL Draft class

Broncos’ key free-agent signings

• TE Evan Engram: Two-year, $23 million deal
• LB Dre Greenlaw: Three-year, $35 million deal
• S Talanoa Hufanga: Three-year, $45 million deal
• DT D.J. Jones: Three-year, $39 million deal
• OT Matt Peart: Two-year, $7 million deal

• Broncos’ 2025 free agency tracker

Broncos’ key positions of need

Running back: The Broncos let their leading rusher of the past two seasons, Javonte Williams, walk in free agency and didn’t sign a veteran replacement. None of Denver’s four remaining running backs has ever rushed for 500 yards in a season. The Broncos are clearly in search of an impact player at the position in the draft.

Tight end: Even after signing Engram to a two-year deal, the Broncos could use more pass-catching depth at tight end. They may not be in range to select the draft’s top two targets at the position, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, but this is a deep class of receiving tight ends. Two to keep an eye on with connections to the Broncos: Gunnar Helm of Texas, who played his high school football outside of Denver; and Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, who caught passes from Nix in college.

Defensive line: The Broncos have long-term decisions to make with Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers. Those two starting ends, plus defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, are all entering the final seasons of their respective contracts in 2025. The Broncos need more young talent up front.

Broncos’ draft analysis

Denver Broncos 2025 NFL Draft big board: Will Sean Payton find more targets for Bo Nix?

Numbers explain Sean Payton’s emphasis on receiving in Broncos’ RB search

Broncos mailbag: The next step for Bo Nix, NFL Draft targets, ‘Hard Knocks’ chances

Broncos roster reset: Is UNC’s Omarion Hampton the RB solution? Extensions on DL?

Broncos 2025 NFL Draft big board: 10 players who fit Sean Payton’s roster ‘musts’

2025 NFL Draft consensus Big Board: Abdul Carter holds at No. 1; Armand Membou rises

The Athletic’s latest mock drafts

March 24: Ben Standig’s mock draft
Another case for picking UNC’s Omarion Hampton

March 21: Beat writer mock draft 2.0
Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart would continue Denver’s defensive infusion

March 10: Nick Baumgardner rounds 1-3 mock draft
More weapons added for Bo Nix

March 7: Broncos mock draft 2.0
A trade back adds picks and help at defensive tackle

March 5: Dane Brugler mock draft
Hampton would offer another “Joker” option

(Photo of North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)