2026 Denver Broncos Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

By StickToTheModel Draft Team | Published: December 08, 2025 | Updated: September 07, 2026 | 5 min read

Category: Mock Drafts

2026 Denver Broncos Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

Draft Capital: 8 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: September 07, 2026

Overview

Denver Broncos enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 8 selections. Biggest needs: Linebacker, Tight End, Offensive Tackle.

Complete Draft Class:

Round 1 (#27): Carter Smith, Offensive Tackle, Indiana — Grade B+

Round 2 (#59): Drake Lindsey, Quarterback, Minnesota — Grade B-

Round 3 (#91): Suntarine Perkins, Outside Linebacker,

Ole Miss

— Grade C+

Round 4 (#123): Eric Singleton Jr, WRS,

Florida

— Grade C

Round 5 (#155): DJ McKinney, Cornerback,

Notre Dame

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#187): Raleek Brown, Running Back,

Texas

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#200): Bryce Thornton, Safety,

Florida

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#219): Dominick McKinley, Defensive Line,

LSU

— Grade C-

View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →

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Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis

Pick #27 - Denver Broncos: Carter Smith, Offensive Tackle, Indiana

Rank: #27 overall | Grade: B+ Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Denver Broncos desperately needed Offensive Tackle help (need #3), and Carter Smith was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

Carter Smith brings immediate impact to Denver Broncos. Carter Smith has been the constant on Curt Cignetti's Indiana turnaround, anchoring left tackle for three straight seasons after redshirting in 2022 and turning down a quick trip through the transfer portal once Bob Bostad sold him on staying. He pro... His best trait—three-year lt starter with 36+ consecutive starts and 2,644+ college snaps—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Braden Smith (strain, hand strength, scheme-fit RT/G)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Three-year LT starter with 36+ consecutive starts and 2,644+ college snaps

Weaknesses: Mediocre arm length leaves him stacked at the fingertips against long-armed edge rushers

NFL Comp: Braden Smith (strain, hand strength, scheme-fit RT/G)

Full scouting report for Carter Smith → | See Denver Broncos 7-round draft →

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Pick #59 - Denver Broncos: Drake Lindsey, Quarterback, Minnesota

Rank: #66 overall | Grade: B- Why This Pick:

Quarterback sits sixth on Denver's need list, well behind linebacker, tight end, offensive tackle and running back, so grabbing Lindsey at 59 is a slight reach relative to his 66 ranking and a curious use of resources given how many other holes remain unaddressed. But quarterback is quarterback, and if Denver has doubts about its current room, taking a developmental prospect with multiple years of eligibility left in the second round is defensible as a long-term investment rather than a reach for immediate need.

The Fit:

Lindsey's game is built on timing and anticipation rather than arm talent, which fits a scheme that wants a quarterback who plays on schedule and doesn't force throws from clean pockets, evidenced by his 18-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 14 big-time throws as a first-year starter. The concerns are real: a below-average deep ball, shaky footwork under pressure, and a rough stretch against Ohio State, Iowa and Oregon where he threw one touchdown against three interceptions. He projects as a developmental piece who needs time before he's ready to handle a starting job.

Strengths: Plays on time, with processing and timing ahead of his raw tools

Weaknesses: Below-average deep arm, and cross-field throws need more velocity to arrive on time

NFL Comp: Kyle Trask timing-and-processing pocket passer with an ordinary deep ball

Full scouting report for Drake Lindsey → | See Denver Broncos 7-round draft →

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Pick #91 - Denver Broncos: Suntarine Perkins, Outside Linebacker,

Ole Miss

Rank: #95 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:

Best player available. Denver Broncos needed Linebacker help, but Suntarine Perkins (ranked #95) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.

The Fit:

Suntarine Perkins brings immediate impact to Denver Broncos. Suntarine Perkins is a 6'1", 220-pound linebacker from Raleigh, Mississippi, where he became the state's top high school prospect and a unanimous five-star recruit. A two-way force at Raleigh High, he led his team to its first state championship in 2... His best trait—elite coverage ability for a linebacker, grading in the 94th percentile in coverage—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Marte Mapu, Sacramento State (small-school tweener with safety instincts and coverage traits deployed as a hybrid linebacker)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Elite coverage ability for a linebacker, grading in the 94th percentile in coverage

Weaknesses: Light at 210-220 pounds for an every-down linebacker

NFL Comp: Marte Mapu, Sacramento State (small-school tweener with safety instincts and coverage traits deployed as a hybrid linebacker)

Full scouting report for Suntarine Perkins → | See Denver Broncos 7-round draft →

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Pick #123: Eric Singleton Jr (WRS,

Florida

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #155: DJ McKinney (Cornerback,

Notre Dame

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #187: Raleek Brown (Running Back,