In a surprise to probably no one, the top position choice by a pretty big margin for Broncos fans looking toward the NFL Draft was inside linebacker.
No doubt this is a position of need for Denver in many respects.
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The Broncos re-signed their veteran linebackers this offseason — Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. But both will hit that 30-plus age wall this season, making them short-term solutions rather than long-term options for Denver.
MHR’s “draft profile” series has highlighted several linebackers that could be potential draft picks for Denver, including Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, Pittsburgh’s Kyle Lewis and Texas’ Anthony Hill, Jr.
From Scotty Payne’s profiles:
Jake Golday
There’s a lot to like about Golday. He is a big, rangy, athletic linebacker with good wrap-up skills and can rush the passer when needed. His coverage ability is average at best, but he will need to develop that area of his game and work on his read and reacting skills. Those all will come with snaps in practice and on the field during games. Another thing I like is his motor. Golday plays with his hair on fire and never quits on a play.
Kyle Louis
I like Kyle Louis and what he would bring to the Broncos’ defense. They’re lacking a rangy linebacker who can cover tight ends and running backs in space. However, the NFL is trending away from spread-it-out/pass-heavy style offense, going back towards heavy formations with two tight ends, a fullback, and downhill running.
So, while I like Louis’s skill set as a coverage guy, I believe the Broncos may need a linebacker who can be effective against the run. With that said, you still need a linebacker who can cover backs and tight ends on third downs, so he does have value as a sub-package guy. So, you can make an argument either way with him.
Anthony Hill, Jr.
Overall, the Longhorns standout has all the tools and ability to be a top performing linebacker in the NFL. He has the unteachable traits, is still just 21 years old, and boasts tremendous playmaking ability. Sean Payton was critical of the team’s defense for not generating enough turnovers, and Hill notched over 10 in his stellar collegiate career. He can help fix that issue.
In my opinion, Singleton and Strnad returning shouldn’t preclude them from considering a linebacker early on in the 2026 NFL Draft. At some point in time, the green dot torch from Singleton will have to be passed on. That being said, I don’t think there is any way he falls to their selection on Day 2. If Hill starts a slide to bit, he is one prospect I wouldn’t mind Denver being aggressive and moving up to get—even with less picks due to the Jaylen Waddle trade.
Given that the Broncos do not have a Day 1 pick this year, the Draft is both more interesting and possibly less exciting than the recent past. But there’s no doubt Denver has some holes to fill and the direction George Paton and Sean Payton go first is a mystery.
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But as Christopher Hart joked when I asked likely top choices for Denver: “It’s George Paton, we are drafting another cornerback. But seriously, TE, LB, RB, S, OT would probably be my Top 5 guesses as of now.”
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