Denver needs its Joker. While the basketball team in the region found Nikola Jokic, Sean Payton is still looking for his guy on the Denver Broncos. Adding Evan Engram should help in that regard, but the team needs more weapons to replicate and supersede its success from last season.
The expected progression of Nix combined with Engram’s arrival should help matters. But to truly become an elite team and a potential contender in the AFC, the Broncos need to add more weapons. And one analyst has the perfect player in mind when it comes to the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Denver Broncos Could Spread Their Offense Around Bo Nix
Last year, the Denver Broncos had the best defense in the league, per PFSN’s Defense+ metric, led by Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. They’ve done a brilliant job improving that unit further this offseason, adding Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga.
However, an offense that finished exactly midway at 16th on PFSN’s Offense+ metric needs some more work. Nix has shown that he is mobile and has a killer arm. But from down to down, he needs better weapons to work with, especially behind a line as excellent as Denver’s.
The latest mock draft from PFSN, too, recognizes their need. “The Denver Broncos were a surprise package in the 2024 NFL season, but their offense often struggled. Despite having one of the best offensive lines in the league, their weapons were a weak point.”
As a result, their focus can be straightforward. They’ve effectively secured the tight-end position with Engram, which means they can turn their focus to wide receivers and give Nix more options to play with.
Ben Rolfe, therefore, believes the best pick for the Broncos with the 20th overall pick is Emeka Egbuka.
An Ohio State staple for four years, Egbuka showed immense upside in his two healthy seasons. Tallying 1,151 and 1,011 receiving yards in 2022 and 2024, respectively, he was an elite end-zone threat, hauling in 20 touchdowns over those two years.
With four more touchdowns through the air in 2023 and two rushing scores as well, he has the potential to be an all-around threat for Denver.
“Emeka Egbuka is a well-built slot receiver who projects as a reliable chain mover at the next level,” Rolfe stated while making the case for the Buckeyes alum. “He has good size, strength, and athleticism. Egbuka should complement Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin in the Broncos’ offense.”