Horse Tracks: So who gets called for the Broncos in the second round of the Draft?

Deciding the first-round pick is easy (well, easy enough). But figuring out the second round is … tough.

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Over the weekend I participated in a Pro Football Network Mock Draft where a beat writer for each team acted as GM to choose their first-round draft pick.

Though it was a little tempting to consider a trade from the Dallas Cowboys, swapping first-round picks (their No. 12 for our No. 20), the proposal to also give up Courtland Sutton was too much. Especially since Ashton Jeanty was already off the board and headed to the Raiders (booo!)

So based on solid consultation with Scotty Payne and Christopher Hart (aka, their recommendation), I still went running back:

20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

(Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann, Mile High Report)

The trick is not to overthink this. The Denver Broncos need a solid addition at running back, and Omarion Hampton is a powerful and productive running back who could be a plug-and-play starter. He is a legitimate option at 6-foot, 220 pounds, and has the traits to be a three-down back in the NFL. He has the desired build, frame, and running style you look for in a running back while also having the ability to be a receiver out of the backfield.

Stats & Insights Analysis: The Broncos moved on from Javonte Williams this offseason. He delivered less than stellar production in 2024, averaging 3.7 yards per carry and -0.6 yards over expected per rush attempt. No Denver running back was very effective despite running behind the No. 1 offensive line in our OL+ metric.

Enter Hampton: a violent downhill runner who also has the hands to be serviceable in the passing game. From a talent perspective, Hampton is an instant upgrade over anyone currently in the Broncos’ RB room. If Denver can establish a consistent rushing attack, it will take pressure off of Bo Nix’s shoulders.

Who is next for the Broncos? And what position?

Personally, I’d tend toward defense in the second round, especially with the free-agent addition of Evan Engram at tight end. That gives the Broncos a little more breathing room to go defensive lineman or defensive end.

But we know Sean Payton likes to be aggressive in the draft, so if he likes a wide receiver or tight end, even if it requires trading up, he’s probably going to do it. Or if Jeanty or Tyler Warren started to slip on Draft Night, there’s a better than average chance, Payton moves up to get them.

Comparing the PFN mock draft picks to Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 draft rankings, here is who would still be on the board for round two:

Emeka Egbuka, WR Tyler Booker, IOL Mykel Williams, EDGE

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE James Pierce Jr., EDGE Mason Taylor, TE

Maxwell Hairston, CB Jaxson Dart, QB Quinshon Judkins, RB

Josh Conerly Jr., OT Benjamin Morrison, CB Donovan Jackson, IOL

Elijah Arroyo, TE Carson Schwesinger, LB Kaleb Johnson, RB

Landon Jackson, EDGE Darius Alexander, DT Marcus Mbow, OT

For fun, choose your second-round pick.

Would Mason Taylor or Elijah Arroyo be a good enough long-term solution at tight end that would warrant picking them at No. 51 (if available)?

Would it be a good time to address O-line with either Josh Conerly, Jr., Marcus Mbow, or Tyler Booker?

Maybe defensive line with Darius Alexander since five of the front 7 will be free agents after next year? Heck, even go linebacker if Schwesinger is still around [Narrator: He won’t be]. Or any one of the top edge rushers.

Perhaps there’s a player not on this top 50 board that you think deserves a second-round pick?

And suppose you would have gone defense in the first round, as The Draft Network did, then probably a running back or tight end is a must in round two? Or what if you went with Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka to fill Payton’s “Joker” weapon, as The Athletic did…is it back to defense in the second or perhaps time for that running back?

So many questions, and now you get to provide the answers…

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