All articles tagged with #broncos
Colin Cowherd floated a conspiracy that the NFL punished the Broncos with a brutal six-game start to target Sean Payton, but the article argues there’s no conspiracy: Denver earned a first‑place schedule after last season’s 14-win run, and while the opening stretch is tough, Weeks 9–16 offer a window to balance the year before a challenging finish.
Denver’s 2026 slate opens with a brutal six-game stretch (Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers, Seahawks) that will test the team early. The Broncos carry a .512 strength of schedule (15th in the NFL), modestly up from last year’s .505. A brighter run awaits from Week 7 through Week 15, featuring a softer mix of opponents—Cardinals, Panthers, Raiders, Dolphins, Jets—plus a Week 10 bye to help a late push. The finish is harsh, with three playoff teams (Bills, Patriots, Chargers) looming in the final three weeks. If Denver navigates the opener around .500, the midseason stretch could set up a playoff push and a tight AFC West race.
An opinion piece mocks Denver Broncos fans for whining about opening the season on Monday Night Football at Kansas City’s Arrowhead, arguing the entitlement is misplaced and that a Week 1 road test against the reigning AFC champs could actually help Denver; it cites social-media reactions and pundits to illustrate the backlash and concludes the outrage is unwarranted.
NFL schedules Kansas City to host Denver on Week 1 Monday Night Football at Arrowhead, with Patrick Mahomes expected to be ready after last season’s knee injury, marking a marquee season-opening matchup between division rivals.
The Broncos-Chiefs Monday Night Football game will cap Week 1, pitting the last two AFC West champions with the venue still to be announced along with the rest of the schedule; Denver hopes Bo Nix returns from a broken ankle while Kansas City could have Patrick Mahomes back from an ACL injury, timing permitting.
Denver's rookie minicamp features 60 players, including seven of the team's 2026 draft picks, plus college free agents, eligible veteran/first-year players, pro tryouts and rookie tryouts; the roster is listed alphabetically by participant.
Denver announced the addition of 13 college free agents across multiple positions (Br Brent Austin, Luke Basso, Ahmari Harvey, Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key, Joseph Manjack, Dasan McCullough, Tyler Miller, Gavin Ortega, Parker Robertson, Cameron Ross, William Wright, Taurean York) and waived Marques Cox and Garrett Nelson. The moves bring the Broncos to 91 players, with an international punter exemption for Jeremy Crawshaw.
The piece argues the 2026 fantasy class isn’t deep and flags four unfavorable landing spots for its top prospects: Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. to the Jets; Denzel Boston to the Browns; Jonah Coleman to the Broncos; and Mike Washington Jr. to the Raiders. It cautions that volatile QB play, uncertain roles, and backfield committees could sap volume and upside, making this a challenging year for fantasy managers.
Denver used the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft to select Buffalo linebacker Khalil 'Red' Murdock (Mr. Irrelevant). Known for a college-record 17 forced fumbles and 358 tackles over his last three seasons, Murdock combines instinct and a relentless motor with a less-fast 40-yard dash (about 4.67). The Broncos view him as a potential special-teams standout who could develop into a regular contributor behind the starters, thanks to his make-up and tackling instincts. GM George Paton praised his take-away talent and intangibles, while Murdock emphasized a team-first mindset as he competes for a roster spot among other depth linebackers in camp.
Denver leveraged multiple trades to assemble seven picks (no first/third round) focused on trenches, backfield, and tight end after trading for Jaylen Waddle; analysts gave a range of grades from A to C+, praising Denver's disciplined fill of needs but acknowledging the hit of missing early selections, with NFL Media giving A/A-/B+ across days, CBS Sports praising Coleman and Casey, ESPN at C+, and PFF at C- despite highlighting seventh-round Red Murdock as a standout.
Denver navigated the 2026 NFL draft without a first- or second-round pick, trading for Jaylen Waddle and then moving down to exit Round 2, before landing seven selections (Tyler Onyedim, Jonah Coleman, Kage Casey, Justin Joly, Miles Scott, Dallen Bentley and Red Murdock) across rounds 3, 4, 4, 5 and 7. The piece grades each pick as a solid fit, notes they fill key roster needs, and argues the class aligns with Sean Payton and George Paton’s vision, offering development-ready depth rather than immediate starters.
Denver used a late-second-to-third-round swap to draft Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim, reinforcing the Broncos' emphasis on trench play. The 6’3”, 292-pound lineman brings length, run-stopping versatility, and experience at multiple DL spots, but his pass-rush production and consistency need development, so he’ll compete with Sai’vion Jones for a developmental role in Denver’s defensive rotation.
Denver traded down to No. 66 to select Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim in Round 3, a versatile, NFL-ready addition who could contribute immediately and bolster the Broncos’ defensive line; the pick pressures veteran DT Jordan Jackson, who played in 17 games in 2024 but saw limited action in 2025, as Denver also views Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai'vion Jones, and Matt Henningsen as potential replacements for John Franklin-Myers, meaning Jackson must prove himself this summer to keep his spot on the roster.
Denver enters Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 62nd pick and a deep board of remaining prospects across positions such as CBs (Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell), S (Emmanuel McNeil-Warren), WR (Denzel Boston), EDGE (Kayden McDonald), DT (Christen Miller) and OL (Chase Bisontis, Max Klare, Emmanuel Pregnon). The Broncos are expected to target RBs, TEs, LBs and OL in this window, with potential trades to reach a favored player in the 3rd round or to leverage early 4th-round picks. Likely fits include RBs Mike Washington Jr. / Emmett Johnson, TE names Eli Stowers / Max Klare / Oscar Delp, LBs Jacob Rodriguez / CJ Allen, and OL Bisontis / Dunker / Pregnon, among others.
Chad Reuter’s sole seven-round mock for the 2026 NFL Draft has the Denver Broncos taking Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) and the Seattle Seahawks taking Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas) as running backs in Round 2, with the rest of the draft projections (1-257) outlining other picks and potential trades across teams.