2025 NFL Draft Roundtable: Predicting the first-round pick for the Denver Broncos

Broncos Country—it’s officially NFL Draft Week and you know what that means. Our annual Mile High Report NFL Draft Roundtable discussions are back!

For our fourth installment, I wanted to see if anyone on staff can accurately predict who the Denver Broncos will select in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Last year, Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann and I correctly guessed Bo Nix being the Broncos’ selection. However, I’ll give the Doctor of Words the victory since she predicted it would happen at 12 overall, while I had the team trading down and picking the former Oregon signal caller.

It was obvious last year that quarterback was the number one need and the likely avenue of pursuit for the Broncos. However, things this year aren’t as concrete. For the first time since 2021, the Broncos have a full slate of picks in the top four rounds and don’t have a whole lot of major needs. That will give them a lot of flexibility with respect to how they approach their draft endeavors.

With that in mind I asked the staff “Who will the Broncos take in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft?”

Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann

I am going to pick Jeanty because it would be fun and aggressive. Plus, Dane Brugler mocked him to Denver, so let’s go with that.

Scotty Payne

I initially had a non-answer here, but that’s lame. My gut is telling me the Broncos are going to select Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. He just fits and would be Payton’s ‘Joker’ at running back. Or maybe my lunch isn’t agreeing with me. Who knows? We’ll see.

Taylor Kothe

Let’s roll with Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. In a wide receiver group lacking a true #1B/2 guy to pair with Courtland Sutton, I feel like Egbuka can be a bigger, stronger version of Emmanuel Sanders, reliably moving the chains in the middle of the field.

Tim Lynch

Tetairoa McMillan from the University of Arizona. I see how some of the other hot names could go before Denver and if that happens, I think wide receiver might be their fallback option with the 20th pick.

Joe Mahoney

Michigan standout Colston Loveland. The Broncos finally get a true threat at tight end.

Ian St. Clair

I want to be bold and say Payton finds a way to get Jeanty, but that’s too bold. Let’s go with North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.

Christopher Hart

Well, so far everyone has picked someone different. I do think the Broncos are interested in adding offensive firepower at their top priority. However, my gut says their top options on the board won’t be available. In that scenario, perhaps they trade down. But if Hampton is available, I think the Broncos would pick him.

Nevertheless, I’ll keep the uniqueness relative to picks going and offer up Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen. With Zach Allen, Malcolm Roach, and John Franklin-Myers slated to be free agents, getting one of the best defensive linemen in this year’s class would be a smart decision if they can’t get one of their favorite offensive prospects. Can you imagine the Broncos’ pass rush next season with Nolen in the fold? Whew!

What do you think, Broncos Country?

Who are the Broncos going to pick in the first round? Let’s see if anyone can get it right this year. I’m sure a handful of you will just like last year. Sound off in the comments section!