2026 NFL Draft Roundtable: Predicting the top pick for the Denver Broncos

AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Anthony Hill Jr. #0 of the Texas Longhorns reacts after a tackle in the second quarter against Landan Brown #34 of the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Broncos Country, it's officially NFL Draft Week and you know what that means. Our annual Mile High Report NFL Draft Roundtable discussions are back! For our fifth and final installment, I wanted to see if anyone can accurately predict who the Denver Broncos will select in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Last year, nobody on staff or any of our readers in the comments section had Jahdae Barron pegged as their pick. In the 2024 NFL Draft, a lot of staff and fans had Bo Nix pegged rightfully as the team's first selection. This year, it may be even harder to figure out who their top pick will be, since won't be picking in the first round.

With that in mind I asked the staff Who will the Broncos take with their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft?"

Taylor Kothe

Honestly, I expect to be surprised. Let's go for some variety and say they execute a small trade back into the early third round before picking Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr.

Tim Lynch

Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. I've mentioned his name in almost every roundtable post. There are other guys who I'd be happy with. Eli Stowers at tight end or even a reach for a strong fit like Mike Washington Jr. at running back. Really, though, I think Hill brings the perfect alignment of fit with the roster and fit with the scheme. Let's get Vance Joseph and new chess piece to move around his board.

Ross Allen

I honestly don't have much of a preference. I don't think they'll be getting Kage Casey in the second round, who I pegged as one of my favorite prospects and fits for them in an earlier roundtable discussion. With that under consideration, I want to ride with Tim and say Denver fills a big need and adds linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.

2026 NFL Draft Profile: Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. https://t.co/9lKSEKhHCI

- MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) March 19, 2026

Sadaraine

I am going with Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. He has a very intriguing skill set and the inside linebacker class this year is pretty deep.

Christopher Hart

When General Manager George Paton announced at the Broncos' pre-draft press conference that they had six players they were zoned in on, the two names that popped into my head immediately were Hill Jr. and Stowers. I think there is a very strong chance one of them is their top pick on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Whether or not they wind up being within striking distance is a whole different matter, but it's important to note General Manager George Paton acknowledged Denver has a willingness to move up and specifically mentioned the #45 overall pick as a potential landing spot, after admitting a huge move into the first round was very unlikely.

I'm going to go out and say it's Hill Jr. That makes three of us on staff for Hill Jr. It doesn't matter that they brought back Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, and I still don't believe the Jonah Elliss talk winds up being a full-time move for the third-year player. The Longhorns standout has the top physical traits and playmaking ability Denver's defense needs. He could become one of the best in the league at the position in time. I'll go with him and say he is their pick.

What do you think, Broncos Country?

Who do you think the Broncos are going to make their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Let's see if anyone can get it right this year. Tell me who you think that prospect will be in the comment section.