The NFL Draft is fast approaching and as it stands now, the Denver Broncos have flexibility to land a player that will add value to them offensively or defensively when they’re on the clock with the 20th pick. Here are three players that Denver should take if available.

Denver Broncos NFL Draft targets with the 20th overall pick

The Denver Broncos loaded up on defense in NFL Free Agency with the additions of Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, addressing the middle of the field on that side of the ball. Broncos head coach Sean Payton has talked about the importance of the inner triangle element of the passing game on offense, involving wide receiver, running back, and tight end.

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When it comes to the 20th overall pick, here are three players the Broncos should take if they are available when they are on the clock.

Emeka Egbuka gives the Denver Broncos offense flexibility and insurance

I’m all on board with Emeka Egbuka being the Broncos selection with the 20th overall pick. As it currently stands, the Broncos offense has starters solidified across the board at wide receiver and tight end, with running back being the exception right now.

The thing is, the Broncos can take a running back in the second or later rounds to add to a position room that already has Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, and Tyler Badie.

Egbuka would be a pick that moves the needle for the Broncos, and it gives them flexibility regarding longevity at the position and insurance in the event of an injury.

Courtland Sutton is the clear-cut WR1 for the Broncos offense, and that WR2 role has not been solidified yet. Even if it was, Sean Payton loves to have options and rotate players in. Marvin Mims would still have a pivotal role on offense, while Troy Franklin’s role would likely increase as that ‘Big Z’ Payton has mentioned. Franklin is 6’2 and has Mims-like speed.

Devaughn Vele’s 6’5 size is important, and there’s a chance he takes over the role Lil’Jordan Humphrey played on offense last season, but Egbuka can come in and play in a rotational role right away. At Ohio State, he wasn’t necessarily the feature receiver in their offense, but in his WR2 role with the Buckeyes, he thrived.

In 2024, Egbuka finished with 81 catches for 1011 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns. For not being the featured guy, Egbuka never complained about his role and did the dirty work as a perimeter blocker and always made plays when his number was called. This is what the Broncos’ offense needs.

He can play in the slot or on the outside, something Payton wants all of his wide receivers to be able to do.

Let’s not forget that an injury to the wide receiver position in 2025 puts the room in question because there isn’t a large sample size of proven consistent production outside of Sutton, and with the room being younger behind him, investing in Egbuka provides Payton and Bo Nix with an insurance policy who would have a fifth-year option to expand his sample size and development.

TreVeyon Henderson could be second ‘Joker’ for Payton

Ohio State has a variety of blue chip prospects and skill players going into the NFL Draft this year, and snagging players from a championship-winning program is important for continuing to change the Denver Broncos’ internal culture.

TreVeyon Henderson is a wildcard player who has ‘Joker’ traits to him that Payton could use in the backfield. If the Broncos took Henderson, he’d compete for the starting job, but I could see Denver’s offense having a dynamic committee approach with him, Audric Estime, and/or Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, or Blake Watson.

In 2024 at Ohio State, Henderson shined, rushing for 1016 yards on 144 attempts and 10 touchdowns on the ground and an average of 7.1 yards per attempt. He’s a downhill runner who has bruising ability and elusiveness that can change the course of a game on the ground or out of the backfield as a receiver.

The more the draft gets closer, the more comfortable I’d feel about Henderson at 20 if the Broncos felt he could boost their offensive vision immediately and if he wasn’t going to be there at 51. If the Las Vegas Raiders pass on Ashton Jeanty in the first round, Henderson would be an immediate name to watch for in the second round for Chip Kelly, who is now the offensive coordinator there under Pete Carroll.

Not only does Henderson offer value as a rusher and receiver, but he’s stout in pass protection as well, which is another key element Payton wants at that position.

If he somehow slipped to the second round and was there for Denver, a double-dip of Egbuka and Henderson would be a great move.

Colston Loveland and Evan Engram could be a dynamic duo

Two months ago, the Denver Broncos taking a tight end in the NFL Draft was on nearly every draft analyst’s mock draft. Over the course of the last three or four weeks, any buzz on tight end and the Broncos in round one has fizzled out.

But what if Michigan’s Colston Loveland is available at 20? It would be hard to ignore it without at least considering it. Despite signing Evan Engram to be the ‘Joker’ for Payton, the Broncos offense would benefit from adding a tight end that gives them a chance two or three years down the road to produce at the position.

Loveland can play right away, and Payton would find a way to utilize Engram and him consistently, especially in the red zone. Denver made the mistake of putting all of their eggs in the Greg Dulcich basket for the last two years and it burnt them at the cost of production dipping at the position.

At 6’5, 245 pounds, Loveland can move as a route runner and has ‘Joker’ traits to him as well. He’s not afraid to make tough catches in traffic or across the middle of the field, and he’s got deceptive speed to take advantage of zone and man coverage

The Broncos are not in a position where they have to draft based on necessity, but instead, they can draft out of luxury as they look to build this offense around Bo Nix as he enters year two.

These three players would be great additions if available with the 20th overall pick.