Since their 2015 Super Bowl season, the Denver Broncos have been in the wilderness. But in 2024, the Broncos showed signs of becoming a respected NFL future Odds brand. Denver won ten games and made the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Head coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix gave Bronco fans and gamblers reason for optimism. Now comes the challenge of building on that new success. The most important offseason in over a decade has arrived in the Mile High City. For Denver, the 2025 NFL Draft has the highest stakes.
2025 NFL Denver Broncos
| Dates: | April 24-26, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| SBG Odds to Win Super Bowl Championship: | +3000 |
| 2025 SBG NFL Draft Odds: | Click Here |
2025 Denver Broncos NFL Draft Team Preview
Year 2 of the Sean Payton era was a rousing sportsbook success. Gone was Russell Wilson. Enter rookie Bo Nix, who exceeded expectations in 17 starts as Payton’s chosen quarterback. Anchored by Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, Denver transitioned from one of the NFL’s worst units to one of its best.
It added up to a 10-7 campaign and Denver’s first playoff appearance since Peyton Manning, Von Miller, and Co. won the Super Bowl after the 2015 season. The next step is to maintain that level of playoff contention with eyes on moving into actual contention following a lopsided 31-7 loss to the Bills in the wild-card round.
Of great concern is that Cody Barton has departed. Also gone is running back Javonte Williams. Still, things are relatively stable in Denver after the Broncos’ first playoff berth in nine seasons. There are a few free agents of note on the roster as the Broncos look to build on the 2025 NFL futures success of 2024. However, they will have a few decisions.
Barton and DJ Jones were starters on last season’s seventh-ranked defense. Barton was second on the team in tackles (106) in his first season in Denver. Also, he struggled in pass coverage. Jones anchored a defensive line for the league’s third-ranked run defense (96.4 yards per game). But he did little in terms of backfield disruption (1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 3 QB hits).
Williams was expendable after averaging 3.7 yards per carry. And he was ceding carries to his more explosive backfield mate Jaleel McLaughlin.
Denver Broncos 2025 NFL Draft Summary
For Denver, the top three needs are RB, WR, CB. The need at running back might not be as glaring if the Broncos increase Audric Estime’s workload, but that’s hardly a guarantee given his erratic usage during his rookie season. Javonte Williams’ departure leaves a lot of snaps, carries, and receptions available at the position.
Also, wide receiver is less of a hole if Marvin Mims Jr.’s playing time continues to increase. But Lil’Jordan Humphrey signed with the Giants after playing 546 snaps in 2024. And the Broncos saw very clearly last season how Riley Moss’ injury impacted their defense, so they should always look at bolstering the depth chart at cornerback.
Namely, the prospect to fill a need outside Round 1 for Denver could be TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State. Sean Payton made his living with Alvin Kamara as a slasher and receiver out of the backfield in New Orleans. And he could get that “joker” hybrid player via the dynamic three-down ability of Henderson. He’s also the best pass-protecting back in the class.