After making their first postseason appearance since winning it all in 2015, the Denver Broncos have been active this offseason as they prepare to take another step forward under head coach Sean Payton.
The team added several key players in free agency, most notably defensive standouts Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga from San Francisco. The offense also received a boost with the signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram.
According to PFSN analyst Marco Enriquez’s latest mock draft, more help could be on the way for Bo Nix.
Broncos Need Offensive Help After Struggles in 2024
While Denver’s scoring output wasn’t a problem in 2024, its struggling run game and over-reliance on Courtland Sutton need to be addressed. While having a dominant receiver isn’t an issue, none of Denver’s other pass-catchers were able to separate themselves.
Sutton was targeted 135 times in 2024. Behind him, four different receivers had between 45 and 55 targets each, with none surpassing 503 receiving yards. For context, that averages less than 30 yards per game over a 17-game season.
That won’t cut it if the team expects to contend for a Super Bowl in the near future. While a championship seemed like an unrealistic target when Payton took over in 2023, an elite defense could provide the foundation for a surprise run in 2025. However, Denver must improve offensively to take that next step.
The biggest issue for the Broncos last season was their ineffective run game. Only six teams averaged fewer yards per carry, and Denver ranked in the bottom 10 in rushing touchdowns. With a deep 2025 running back class, the team has plenty of options to upgrade the position.
Analyst Predicts Broncos Will Select Emeka Egbuka in 1st Round
Despite a greater need at running back, Enriquez projects the Broncos to draft Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. The Buckeyes standout was overshadowed in college by stars like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith but has plenty of talent. A polished route-runner with reliable hands, Enriquez sees Egbuka as the perfect complement to the veteran Sutton.
“The Broncos need weapons around Bo Nix. Courtland Sutton is not getting any younger, and even with Marvin Mims Jr.’s late-season emergence, the opportunity to add a talent like Egbuka is too good to pass on.
Emeka Egbuka provides reliable hands and route-running skills out of the slot while fitting perfectly alongside Sutton. Egbuka set the record for career receptions at Ohio State and was a consistent difference-maker for the Buckeyes.”
PFSN’s scouting report on Egbuka backs up those claims while providing further insight into his technical skills:
“Egbuka is a well-built slot receiver who projects as a reliable chain mover at the next level. He offers good overall size for the position and has good strength and athleticism. He primarily aligned in the slot while at Ohio State, and that is where he will likely call home at the next level.
“Egbuka is an excellent route-runner who executes with the type of nuance and technique you’d expect from a Brian Hartline-trained product. He understands how to use head and body fakes to create separation and is outstanding at using his hands to keep his body clear throughout the stem of his route.”
While improving the running game may seem like the more pressing issue for the Broncos, it’s hard to argue against selecting a difference-maker like Egbuka. With a deep running back class, Denver could secure its receiver in the first round and find a quality running back on Day 2.