2026 NFL Draft Profile: South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 1: Jalon Kilgore #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 1, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Randy J. Williams/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Denver Broncos have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but only three selections in the Top 150. That will limit their options significantly, but if history is any indicator or future success-there is a good shot the Broncos will be able to find themselves a quality player when they are officially on the clock.

It's anyone's best guess what position groups the franchise wants to address in a few weeks. While not the biggest priority, I wouldn't be surprised if adding another defensive back into the mix transpires. At the end of the 2026 season, three starters plus depth players in their secondary are slated to hit free agency. I figure at least one of those seven selections will be on a versatile defensive back.

A player I've been enamored with since I started this draft's Future Broncos segments back in September is South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore. A three-year starter for the Gamecocks, Kilgore was primarily deployed in their star" role in Clayton White's defense and was an impact player. He has the ability to play in the box, at nickel, and has incredible production and elite athletic traits.

Let's take a deeper dive into Kilgore, his strengths and weaknesses, and when the Broncos should consider selecting him in April.

Player Profile: Jalon Kilgore - Defensive Back - South Carolina

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 210 pounds | Arm Length: 32-7/8" | Hand Size: 9-3/8" | Age: 22 Years Old

40-yard dash: 4.4 seconds | 10-yard split: 1.56 seconds | Vertical: 37" | Broad Jump: 10'-10"

Statistics at South Carolina: 36 games played, 178 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 8 interceptions, 21 passes defended.

Film Room & HighlightsHart's Scouting Report

Positives:

• Elite athlete with tantalizing size that defensive backs coaches will covet
• Positional versatility at the NFL level, capable of playing various positions in the defensive backfield
• Exceptional range is a credit to his plus physical traits
• Has the length, wingspan, and hops to go head-to-head against the league's top tight ends
• Eight interceptions in just three seasons of play indicates tremendous ball skills
• Over 2,100 in his defensive career with the Gamecocks
• Allowed only a 47-percent completion percentage (59 receptions on 126 targets)
• Will be able to hit the ground running right away as a special teams' player

Negatives:

• Despite impressive physical traits, Kilgore's on the field temperament isn't full throttle
• Susceptible to giving up the big play allowing seven touchdowns over his collegiate career
• Needs to utilize his length to his advantage and not allow so many easy releases for wideouts at the line of scrimmage
• Timing when it comes to blitz deployment needs a bit of work
• Needs to improve on his tackling-credited with 23 missed tackles the past three seasons

Hart's Projection: Top 75 Selection (Mid-Day 2 Grade)

Jalon Kilgore is a SS prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.97 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 5 out of 1242 SS from 1987 to 2026.

Pending agilities and bench, splits projected.https://t.co/FHAovtmwhFpic.twitter.com/6Vfa3MMdiD

- RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 27, 2026

Why the Denver Broncos should consider drafting Kilgore

Under General Manager George Paton, the Broncos have invested a lot of draft capital in defensive backs. That's a trend that started with him alongside Rick Spielman during their time together with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Broncos' secondary is a strength of the team. It's not an immediate priority to be addressed for their 2026 campaign. However, multiple players including Riley Moss, Ja'Quan McMillian, Brandon Jones, and J.L. Skinner are slated to hit free agency after the end of the 2026 season. There is a shot the franchise tries to retain some of them. Yet it's hard to believe they will find the cap space to retain one more than just a few.

Kilgore's playmaking ability and athleticism should earn him Top 75 consideration, but his inconsistency in several areas could cause him to drop. Even so, I don't think defensive back is in play for Denver if they stick at pick 62 at the second round. I'd wager they are looking to find a player who can contribute right away and help make a difference as a rookie. That's probably not a defensive back.

However, if they opted to trade back and accumulated more picks, adding Kilgore seems a bit more plausible. I'm a big fan of him as a player and his versatility and skillset is a good match for Vance Joseph's defense. Overall, it's hard to find a realistic path where he ends up in the Mile High City given Denver's gap between their second and fourth-round selections-but he is a name to consider in the right scenario.