3 targets early in the Broncos’ 2025 NFL draft with the 20th pick

The Denver Broncos are coming off a successful season under the leadership of the second-year head coach Sean Payton. The franchise just made its first playoff appearance since winning Super Bowl 50 in February 2016. Rookie quarterback Bo Nick played a significant role in this rise despite the struggle in Denver is coming off a 31-7 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Broncos will head into the 2025 season with expectations to build on this year and potentially contend for the AFC West crown. To achieve these ambitious goals, the organization now faces a crucial offseason and 2025. NFL draft. For the first time since 2021, the Broncos will they have all their draft picks from the first three rounds, including the 20th overall pick, which could help this team go from good to great.

In what is projected to be a deep draft, the front office will have to decide which side of the ball to prioritize with this pick. Denver’s defense was among the best in the NFL, allowing just 18.3 points per game during the regular season. However, the Buffalo Bills revealed some weaknesses that the Broncos will look to fix before the 2025 season begins.

Denver’s offense improved as the season went on, averaging 25.0 points per contest, which was 10th in the league. However, after a rushing touchdown in the Wild Card round, this unit was held scoreless the rest of the game, showing some clear flaws that have been known for most of the year. The questions the Broncos’ front office will have to answer are what positional issues need to be addressed with this pick and what deficiencies can be addressed via trade, free agency or the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. With that in mind, here are our three starting targets NFL Draft for the Denver Broncos with the 20th pick.

Ole Miss Receiver Vide Tre Harris

There are many problems that the Bills’ game exposed in the Broncos’ offense. This includes the quarterback position, which Sean Payton’s team must also rebuild this offseason. However, the top running back in this year’s draft class, Boise State’s Ashton Ginty, it is predicted to go much higher than No. 20 in most mock drafts. If the Heisman Trophy runner-up is available, it adds another player to this list. However, running back is a position Denver can address later. There are plenty of starting-caliber running backs in this draft.

Either way, Denver needs to continue to build around its quarterback, Bo Nix, heading into 2025. One of the team’s weaknesses the Broncos starter had to overcome in 2024 was the lack of another outside receiver. Cortland Sutton had a solid season as VR1 in the mile-high city. The 29-year-old caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. The Broncos’ second-leading receiver was second-year player Marvin Mims Jr.

After a slow start to the year, the 2023 second-round pick gained traction as the season wore on. Mims Jr. caught 39 passes for 503 yards and six touchdowns. However, the former Oklahoma wideout is a burner and has had more success in the slot this season. In addition, Mims Jr. was largely shut down against Buffalo, catching only two passes for twelve yards. Sean Payton’s team, then, needs another physical presence in its wideout core on the outside, which is exactly where Tre Harris fits the bill.

Harris is a 6’3, 210 lbs wideout who was named first team All-SEC with Ole Miss this year. The Lafayette native caught 60 passes for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. Harris did this in just eight games this year as a senior dealt with some nagging injuries through the end of 2024. Neither of these setbacks is a concern heading into the 2025 NFL season.

Overall, Sean Payton has progressed with great physical strides throughout his career. And Tre Harris’s NFL comparison is with potentially the best wayout for each game below Peyton: New Orleans Saints legend Michael Thomas. That comparison alone should compel Denver to jump at the chance to draft Harris, if he becomes available.

Michigan Tight End Colston Loveland

Much like the wide receiver position, tight end is another area Denver needs to improve this offseason. The Broncos didn’t have a single tight end rush for more than 200 yards this year. And it’s not like Sean Payton doesn’t see the position group as key to his offense. Former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was one of the best in the league under Payton in the 2010s.

It’s important to note that if Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is available at this pick, like Ashton Ginty, that expands this list. The likelihood, however, is that a first-team All-American selection will not be available at No. 20. Colston Loveland is by far the second best prospect at the position. At 6’5, 245 lbs, the former Michigan Wolverine has elite athleticism that should prepare him for the NFL right away. Loveland is also a solid blocker who should be able to help in the ground game.

The Goldendale, Wash., native was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and was named a second-team All-American in 2024. Loveland caught 56 ​​passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns, and his best performance statistically came in Wolverines loss to No. 1 Oregon. This would be one of Denver’s safest picks in this draft, as the franchise would significantly upgrade a position group that was a non-factor in 2024.

South Carolina safety Nick Emanwori

While Denver’s defensive flaws have been few and far between this season, the Buffalo Bills have successfully exposed them. After a fairly slow start, Josh Allen and company looked comfortable on offense for the rest of the game. Buffalo in particular exposed the weaknesses in the Broncos’ secondary with their tight ends. The combination of Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox consequently caught five passes for 85 yards.

While Brandon Jones has been a great addition to the Broncos safety corps, fifth-year safety PJ Locke has struggled for much of the year. Denver should either find a replacement for Locke this offseason or look for a safety that can at least occasionally rotate with Locke and Jones. Nick Emanwori would be a great fit to help address one of Denver’s several defensive weaknesses.

The 20-year-old was named a first-team All-American in his third year with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Emmanvori excels in pass coverage against slot receivers and tight ends. Irmo, a South Carolina native, was second on the team in tackles with four.

At 6’3, 227 lbs with 40 times of 4.38Emanwori has the physical strength and speed to tackle defenders and plays as a modern hybrid fullback. He can essentially fill two needs for the Broncos. Because inside linebacker could be another topic of concern for this team. Overall, Denver’s positional needs are evident heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The question is which area will be a higher priority for an organization trying to win its fourth Super Bowl.