The Denver Broncos are a team on the rise after back-to-back seasons of improvement under head coach Sean Payton. The team recently added some key pieces to its defense, which was already coming off a 2024 campaign in which it ranked first in PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
The team has no obvious signs of weakness, after also adding Evan Engram in free agency, before drafting running back RJ Harvey in the second round of April’s draft. 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims showed signs of a breakout late in 2024, but the team has been tipped to add another wideout early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Who Did the Broncos Select in the Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft?
In the latest three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft from PFSN’s Mark Stolte, the Broncos address their lightweight receiver room with a bold first-round selection.
While the Broncos made the playoffs in 2024, their first appearance since 2015, the team’s receiver room provided more questions than it did answers. After veteran receiver Courtland Sutton, who received 135 targets, the team’s next four busiest receivers all had between 45 and 55 targets each.
While some coaches like to spread the ball around, the team may be concerned that none of the four young receivers could break away from the pack. Sutton turns 30 in October, so even if the Broncos are happy for their depth pieces to share work, a new alpha receiver may be a priority in the not-too-distant future.
In Stolte’s draft, the Broncos miss out on Arizona State prospect Jordyn Tyson, who is drafted one spot before them, but land Clemson’s Antonio Williams instead. A versatile playmaker, a repeat of Williams’ 2024 season would see him become the school’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns.
That record (27) is currently shared by DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, and Tee Higgins, suggesting that Denver would be getting a true star in Williams. The receiver needs 10 more receiving touchdowns to tie that record, having managed 11 in 2024.
Williams also notched his first rushing and passing touchdowns in 2024, taking his college total to 19 scores and highlighting his playmaking ability.
End of an Era Coming in Denver?
Sutton put up the second-most receiving yards of his career in 2024 and is perhaps one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL. Nevertheless, the veteran receiver is a free agent in March, having spent his entire seven-year career in Denver so far.
Sutton will certainly be playing somewhere in 2026, but may need to look elsewhere if he is overtaken by one of the team’s younger receivers this coming season.
Mims’ usage gradually increased throughout 2024, from eight targets over the first six weeks of the season to 31 over the final six weeks. He made good on that usage, tallying six receiving touchdowns over his final seven games.
If Mims can improve on that in 2025, and Sutton takes a step back, Denver could decide to move on from the veteran receiver. Sutton can move to fifth in all-time receiving yards for the Broncos with a repeat of his 2024 season, but he wouldn’t be the first receiver to suffer a drop-off at this point in his career.
Regardless of Sutton’s future, though, adding Williams could have a huge impact on the Broncos offense, and he’s a player to keep an eye on this coming college football season.