Denver Broncos 2024 NFL Draft Guide: What you need to know

Hello Broncos supporters! Prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft with unique team insights and analysis.

Below, you will find information on Denver’s projected picks, positional needs, selection history, GM draft notes and more, all thanks to the NFL’s research team.

And don’t forget to tune in on Thursday, April 25th at 8:00 p.m. ET for live coverage of the draft on NFL Network and NFL+.

Denver Broncos Draft Overview

2023 record: 8-9
Third in AFC West; missed playoffs

Broncos 2024 draft picks (8):

Round 1, pick 12
Round 3, pick 76 (From MIA in Bradley Chubb trade)
Round 4, pick 121
Round 5, pick 136 (From CLE in Jerry Jeudy trade)
Round 5, pick 145 (From NYJ in Jake Martin trade)
Round 5, pick 147
Round 6, pick 207 (From SF in Randy Gregory trade)
Round 7, pick 256 (From NYJ in Zach Wilson trade)

Broncos team needs (according to Chad Reuter): Quarterback, Cornerback, Defensive Tackle, Edge, Offensive Tackle

Projected Broncos first-round selection, via NFL.com draft analysts:

(See all projections at Mock Draft Central)

Broncos 2024 Opponents:

Home

Colts, Panthers, Falcons, Steelers, Browns, Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs

Away

Seahawks, Jets, Buccaneers, Saints, Ravens, Bengals, Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs

Broncos Notable Activity Tracker (2024 offseason):

Broncos Decision Makers

Owner: Rob Walton and Carrie Walton Penner

Owner/CEO: Greg Penner

General Manager: George Paton

Head Coach: Sean Payton

George Paton

Paton is beginning his 4th season as a General Manager in the NFL.

Between 2007 and 2020, I held various positions with the Vikings, with my most recent roles being Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel.

Broncos Draft Notes

Past 3 Drafts, George Paton era

– 24 total players selected (8 offense, 16 defense)

Only two choices were made in the top 60 overall picks, namely CB Pat Surtain II and RB Javonte Williams.

Surtain II and returner Marvin Mims were selected for 2 Pro Bowls.

Notable selections during Paton’s tenure with the Minnesota team include: wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2020, 1st round), running back Dalvin Cook (2017, 2nd round), defensive end Danielle Hunter (2015, 3rd round), safety Harrison Smith (2012, 1st round), defensive end Everson Griffen (2010, 4th round), and running back Adrian Peterson (2007, 1st round).

Paton has made one first-round selection as the General Manager of the Broncos.

CB Patrick Surtain II was picked with the #9 overall pick in the 2021 Draft.

Surtain: 2022 1st-team All-Pro and selected for the Pro Bowl twice.

Three out of the last four first round picks for DEN are no longer part of the team.

Jerry Jeudy has been traded to Cleveland (CLE), Noah Fant has been traded to Seattle (SEA), and Bradley Chubb has been traded to Miami (MIA).

In March 2024, the Broncos let go of their quarterback, Russell Wilson, despite trading for him in a major deal and granting him a substantial contract extension in March 2022.

– Trade for Wilson: 2022 1st-rd (#9), 2022 2nd-rd (#40), 2022 5th-rd (#145), 2023 1st-rd (#5), 2023 2nd-rd (#37), QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DT Shelby Harris

– Extension: 5-year, $245.0M ($124M guaranteed)

DEN incurred $85M in dead money over the next two seasons due to their decision to release Russell Wilson.

In March 2024, Wilson inked a one-year contract with PIT, worth 1.2M.

In 2024, Wilson will receive $37.8M from DEN to play with PIT.

Over the first three seasons with Paton as General Manager, DEN has a win-loss record of 20-33 (8-9 in 2023, 5-12 in 2022, and 7-10 in 2021), and they failed to make the playoffs in all three seasons.

DEN ended up in the last place in the AFC West in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.

DEN has had a record of losses for seven consecutive seasons.

Paton took over from John Elway, who served as the GM for DEN from 2012 to 2020.

After clinching Super Bowl 50 in Manning’s last year, the Broncos have failed to make the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons. They hold the unique record in NFL history of being the only team to miss the playoffs for six or more straight seasons immediately following a Super Bowl win.

One of the two teams to miss each of the last eight postseasons is the New York Jets (NYJ).

Broncos First Round Picks in Last 10 Drafts

Last time Broncos picked each position in first round:

Compiled by the NFL Research team. All data current as of April 22, 2024.