Editor’s note: Sixth of a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Last week: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive line.
Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Re-signed D.J. Jones
Under contract: Jones (three years), Zach Allen (one year), John Franklin-Myers (one year), Malcolm Roach (one year), Jordan Jackson (two years), Eyioma Uwazurike (two years), Matt Henningsen (one year), Jordan Miller (two years),
Need scale (1-10): 6. The Broncos are in great position for 2025, returning every defensive lineman who played a snap last fall. But don’t let that mask what lies just beyond the horizon. Even if Denver and Allen come to a massive extension this summer, Franklin-Myers and Roach are entering the final years of their deals. If Denver extends JFM, too, the need for cheap young talent around him, Allen and Jones will be all the more critical. Jackson took a nice step in 2024, but none beyond the top four are guaranteed long-term contributors. No matter how you slice it, the Broncos should be in the market for defensive line help. Perhaps as early as the first round.
Top five
Mason Graham, Michigan: One of the very best prospects in the 2025 draft class regardless of position, Graham is a load inside. He’s got short arms, but it doesn’t stop him from making his presence felt in both the run game and as a pass-rusher. There are more prototypical athletes and perhaps more enticing traits elsewhere in the group, but it would be a surprise if any of them went before Graham later this month. He should be off the board comfortably in the first 10 picks.
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: In some ways, the opposite of Graham. Stewart’s got perhaps the most exciting skill set of all the front-line players. The head-scratcher: He had just 4.5 career sacks at Texas A&M. Still, he led the Aggies in pressures and ran 4.59 in the 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds. He’ll likely play heavier than that in the NFL, depending on the scheme. The combination of traits without college production is reminiscent of players like Rashan Gary, who went No. 12 to Green Bay in 2019. A similar range wouldn’t be a surprise for Stewart.
Derrick Harmon, Oregon: A player who feels like a pretty clean fit for the Broncos — and many other teams — in the first round. Harmon has size and length at 6-5 and 313 pounds, he’s athletic and disruptive, and he’s got a reputation for playing hard all the time. Played three years at MSU before transferring to Oregon and compiling five sacks, 10.5 TFLs and a pair of forced fumbles.
Kenneth Grant, Michigan: Massive interior player who checked into the Combine at 6-4 and 330 pounds. He made a dynamite college pair with Graham. Will be interesting to see how much more pass-rush he can add to his game as a pro, but there aren’t a lot of guys built like him. He’ll have a chance to hear his name called in the first round.
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss: A terrific athlete at 6-4 and 296 pounds and disruptive pass-rusher who started his career at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. Then he racked up 14 tackles for loss to go along with six sacks. It’s a deep group overall and at the top. All five of the players listed here will still be 21 years old on draft day.
More Broncos options
Darius Alexander, Toledo: An older player who will turn 25 during the preseason, Alexander spent six years at the college level. He ran 4.95 in the 40 at the combine at 6-4 and 305 pounds. Like several others in this group, he’s got the ability to play different spots on the front and could be a useful role player as a rookie.
