Draft season in Denver always feels a bit like a high-stakes poker game where Sean Payton is holding the cards and the rest of us are just trying to read his facial twitches. Honestly, trying to nail down a Broncos mock draft 2025 is a fool's errand if you aren't looking at the specific "archetypes" Payton has obsessed over for two decades.
We know the deal. Bo Nix is the guy. The rookie season gave us enough flashes—29 touchdowns and a completion percentage that spiked at the right time—to know the foundation is set. But look at the roster. It's thin. Like, "one injury away from a crisis" thin at some spots.
You’ve probably seen the mocks. Most people just plug in a wide receiver and call it a day. It makes sense on paper, right? Courtland Sutton isn't getting any younger, and while Marvin Mims Jr. is a special teams ace, he hasn't exactly turned into the volume monster we hoped for. But if you think it's that simple, you haven't been paying attention to how this front office actually operates.
The First Round Conundrum: 20th Overall is a No-Man's Land
Picking at 20 is weird. You're usually just out of reach of the "blue chip" generational talents, but too high to reach for a specialist without getting roasted by the local media.
In many versions of a Broncos mock draft 2025, you'll see names like Ashton Jeanty from Boise State or Omarion Hampton from UNC. Let’s be real: Jeanty is a superstar. He’s the kind of back that changes a franchise. But is Sean Payton really going to burn a top-20 pick on a running back when he’s historically found gems like Alvin Kamara in the later rounds? Probably not.
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Instead, look at the secondary or the defensive front. The Broncos surprised everyone by taking Jahdae Barron out of Texas at 20 in several simulations. Why? Because Vance Joseph needs "chess pieces." Barron can play the slot, he can play safety, and he can hit. Pairing a versatile playmaker with Patrick Surtain II is how you actually build a defense that doesn't cave in the fourth quarter.
Why Tight End is the Sneaky Priority
Everyone talks about receivers. Nobody talks about the "Y" tight end.
If you look at the 2025 class, Tyler Warren from Penn State is a name that keeps surfacing in high-level scouting circles. He’s basically a Sean Payton fever dream. At 6'6" and 250-plus pounds, he’s not just a blocker; he’s a guy who can actually catch the ball in traffic.
- The Problem: The current room (Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull) is fine for "glue guys," but they aren't game-changers.
- The Fit: Warren or even Michigan’s Colston Loveland would give Bo Nix a "safety valve" that the offense currently lacks.
Imagine a scenario where the Broncos trade back from 20 to the late 20s. They pick up an extra third-rounder and still grab their tight end of the future. That’s the kind of move George Paton makes when he’s trying to maximize a limited hand.
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Day 2 and the Search for "Payton Guys"
The second and third rounds are where this draft will be won or lost for Denver. They currently hold picks 51 and 85, though knowing this team, those picks will move.
Payton loves big-bodied receivers who can block. It’s not a sexy trait, but it’s a requirement in his system. Pat Bryant from Illinois is a name that doesn't get enough love. He’s 6'3", physical, and has those "sure hands" that remind scouts of a young Michael Thomas. If he’s sitting there in the third round, he’s a lock.
The Defensive Edge Gap
We have to talk about the pass rush. Nik Bonitto has been a pleasant surprise, and Jonathon Cooper is a dog, but the depth is terrifyingly shallow.
Sai'vion Jones from LSU is a name to watch. He’s a big, 4-3 style end that can transition into a 3-4 rush linebacker. He’s got the "bend" that coaches drool over. If the Broncos don't address the edge early, they’re basically betting the house that their current guys stay 100% healthy for 17 games. That’s a dangerous bet in the AFC West.
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Addressing the Offensive Line Reality
Garett Bolles is the elephant in the room. He’s been the anchor for a long time, but he’s heading into his mid-30s. The Broncos have the highest pass-block win rate in the league recently, but that can disappear in a single offseason if you don't have a succession plan.
I wouldn't be shocked if a Broncos mock draft 2025 included a "swing tackle" like Caleb Lomu from Utah or Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota. They might not start Day 1, but they are the insurance policy for the most important unit on the field. You can’t develop a young QB like Nix if he’s running for his life by Week 4.
What Most Mocks Get Wrong About the Backfield
There is this obsession with finding a "bell cow" running back. But look at the successful years in New Orleans. It was always a committee.
Instead of a first-round splash, watch for RJ Harvey out of UCF in the mid-rounds. He’s shifty, he’s small, and he’s exactly the kind of change-of-pace back that complements a guy like Audric Estime. Estime is the hammer; Harvey is the scalpel. That’s how you build a rushing attack in the modern NFL.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
The draft is the centerpiece, but the Broncos' success hinges on three specific moves before they even turn in a card in April:
- Resolve the Bolles Situation: Either extend him now or commit to a Round 1 tackle. Leaving this as a "maybe" is a recipe for disaster.
- Scout the "Y" Tight Ends Heavily: If Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland are on the board at 20, they need to be the priority over a flashy WR2.
- Prioritize Defensive Versatility: Vance Joseph's system only works when he has players who can switch roles mid-play. Don't draft "just a corner" or "just a safety."
The Broncos have a real shot at dominating the AFC West again, but it won't happen by chasing the most popular names on a draft board. It'll happen by finding the specific pieces that fit the Sean Payton puzzle.