2026 Draft discussion thread

[cdumler7]

The way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft

With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, teams are already looking toward 2026. Here's a look at our first 2026 mock draft as of April 29, 2025.

www.yardbarker.com

I have my doubts that Arch Manning will be coming out in this draft. NIL money is good for him and we are seeing QB's need more time at the college level if they expect to do anything good at the NFL level.

Edge for the Broncos makes sense. No clue what will be happening with Bonitto and as much as I like Cooper, he is still a very replaceable piece. I think the big one that can really eliminate this need though this year is Ellis. Let's say he ends up taking a nice step forward and beats out Cooper for the starting edge spot and shows he is a top-20 pass rusher. I would then pay Bonitto and feel like that 1-2 punch would be a great one moving forward.

 

[femurovjr]

@Draft Crazy where is your excitement for the draft

 

[Draft Crazy]

@Draft Crazy where is your excitement for the draft

My excitement is high. I think overall it will be a better draft then 2025. 25 wasn't bad but the the first round overall was probably a little down compared to most years past. It had some depth, Day 3 wasn't much different in terms of value from Round 3, IMO.

This draft seems pretty legit to me a year ahead.

 

[femurovjr]

I don't see you out here yelling draft, not very excited imo

 

[nflbronco]

LB in draft you like for Denver who should we be watching out for?

 

[Mountain Bronco]

I have my doubts that Arch Manning will be coming out in this draft. NIL money is good for him and we are seeing QB's need more time at the college level if they expect to do anything good at the NFL level.

Edge for the Broncos makes sense. No clue what will be happening with Bonitto and as much as I like Cooper, he is still a very replaceable piece. I think the big one that can really eliminate this need though this year is Ellis. Let's say he ends up taking a nice step forward and beats out Cooper for the starting edge spot and shows he is a top-20 pass rusher. I would then pay Bonitto and feel like that 1-2 punch would be a great one moving forward.

They just extended Cooper though and his cap hits through 2026 wouldn't be great for a release.

 

[cdumler7]

They just extended Cooper though and his cap hits through 2026 wouldn't be great for a release.

I wouldn't be releasing Cooper in this scenario. I would be replacing him as the starter. Personally of the contracts the Broncos have handed out over the last couple of years I think the Cooper one was the biggest mistake. Not because he is a bad player or anything but of the players signed or about to be signed he would be bottom man on the list when it comes to impact players. And that is not a shot at him. We are talking players that were voted DPOY, 2nd team All-Pro types that we have been signing or will be signing.

Because of Nix being on a rookie contract though we can handle Cooper being a backup/rotational edge guy at his price if it means we get an upgrade over him. I would not be shocked if Ellis ends up beating Cooper out for the starting job this year. I thought towards the end of the year Ellis was actually outplaying Cooper anyway.

 

[cdumler7]

LB in draft you like for Denver who should we be watching out for?

I mean if we are talking potential 1st round pick type guy Anthony Hill Jr. of Texas has to be near the top of that list for most. Long athletic LB that does well coming downhill in the pass game to get after the QB while also doing well handling coverage assignments.

A personal favorite of mine is Austin Romaine. Have to see if he can take that next step in his development this next season, but I think he could be a name that emerges. Plays for my rival school with me being a KU fan and him playing for K-State but I'll look past that if he becomes a Bronco.

 

[LGM]

I wouldn't be releasing Cooper in this scenario. I would be replacing him as the starter. Personally of the contracts the Broncos have handed out over the last couple of years I think the Cooper one was the biggest mistake. Not because he is a bad player or anything but of the players signed or about to be signed he would be bottom man on the list when it comes to impact players. And that is not a shot at him. We are talking players that were voted DPOY, 2nd team All-Pro types that we have been signing or will be signing.

Because of Nix being on a rookie contract though we can handle Cooper being a backup/rotational edge guy at his price if it means we get an upgrade over him. I would not be shocked if Ellis ends up beating Cooper out for the starting job this year. I thought towards the end of the year Ellis was actually outplaying Cooper anyway.

To be fair, Coops deal was well before Elliss started playing or Bonitto played well. He was the best we had and coming off a decent year. Also probably wanted him locked up after Chubb whined about things as well as a few others. Probably overpaid at the time, but still a fair deal. Not likely a deal he'd be offered after last year.

 

[cdumler7]

To be fair, Coops deal was well before Elliss started playing or Bonitto played well. He was the best we had and coming off a decent year. Also probably wanted him locked up after Chubb whined about things as well as a few others. Probably overpaid at the time, but still a fair deal. Not likely a deal he'd be offered after last year.

I agree. I think in the moment it made a ton of sense. I just think of the deals we have made lately that will be the one we look back on and say "yeah that wouldn't didn't quite work out as much as we were hoping." Cooper was having a great start to the season, but he also was feasting on backup RT's. The deal isn't crazy big though compared to others so I'm not too worried, but again wouldn't be shocked if he becomes more of our rotation guy.

 

[58crash]

It is almost impossible to get to many LBers to rush the ball So more the merrier

 

[Draft Crazy]

I don't see you out here yelling draft, not very excited imo

Hard to see me from Maryland.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Today we cut LS Zach Triner and P Matt Haack to sign a few from rookie camp tryouts.

It is still very possible and likely we re-sig these two or another P to compete with Crawshaw (Who will win the job ) before PS starts. Needed some roster room for now.