9 prospects the Broncos figure to consider for their No. 20 draft pick - 9News

9 prospects the Broncos figure to consider for their No. 20 draft pick – 9News

2025-04-20T12:30:00Z

Running backs Hampton, Henderson, tight end Colston, Warren and select defensive tackles should come into play for the Broncos’ first-round selection.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — We know through Javonte Williams’ playing time the past two years that head coach Sean Payton values the pass protection trait in his running backs.

Payton and the Broncos don’t figure to overlook blitz protection for his prized quarterback Bo Nix again this week as they set out to nab a running back within the first two days of the NFL Draft.

Williams’ rushing production understandably fell significantly after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL four games into 2022. Yet, despite averaging a subpar 3.6 yards a carry the past two seasons, Williams continued to line up behind the quarterback for more than 50% of the snaps — even as Payton occasionally lamented how backups Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime weren’t getting enough work.

Why? Because between Williams’ sturdy 5-10, 220 pound build, high football IQ and outsized heart, he was one of the NFL’s best running backs at protecting the quarterback. It’s also why Williams quickly found new employment this offseason with the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year, $3 million contract.

Granted, when picking No. 20 overall in the NFL Draft on Thursday, or trading up from the No. 51 or 85 spots in the second and third rounds on Friday, pass protection alone won’t be the most coveted characteristic the Broncos glean as they chose from an abundance of quality running backs available.

But it could be a tiebreaker of sorts after rushing and receiving ability.

For now, let’s focus on the Broncos’ first pick, the No. 20 selection. More than just running back will come into consideration here as the Broncos go on the clock.

Assuming Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty – clearly the most special in this talented running back class – is out of reach as a top 6-to-12 selection, here’s a look at 9 prospects 9NEWS believes the Broncos may choose from:

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State, 5-10, 202

Sports talker Colin Cowherd occasionally collect morsels of information since he and Payton built a relationship during their time sharing a Fox football panel in 2022. And Cowherd’s show the other day with Jordan Schultz mentioned how Henderson is not only a terrific rusher and receiver, but the best pass protecting back in the draft.

There you go. Otherwise considered the No. 3 back in the draft behind Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, Henderson visited the Broncos on the last possible visit day Wednesday.

Henderson rushed for 1,248 yards on 6.8 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns as a freshman for Ohio State, plus had 27 catches for 312 yards receiving.

This past season he had another 1,016 yards rushing on 7.1 yards per carry and another 27 receptions as a senior captain for the Buckeyes’ national championship team. So character is a plus, too.

Henderson has the type of three-down, run-pass versatility who would fit Payton’s offensive system. He ran the 40 at the Combine in 4.43 seconds.

Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan, 6-6, 248

Here was the Broncos’ consensus choice by mocksters until the team signed free agent Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million contract in mid-March. Would Payton dare to employ two joker tight ends? Baltimore (Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely) and Buffalo (Dalton Kicaid, Dawson Knox) do to some extent.

Colston had two big pass-catching seasons for the Wolverines – 45 receptions for 649 yards (14.4 per) and 4 TDs for the 15-0 national champs in 2023, then 56 catches for 582 yards (10.4) and 5 TDs last year.

He had his right arm in a sling during the NFL Combine as he had shoulder surgery, Jan. 29. His surgeon sent out a letter to all 32 teams last week stating Loveland’s shoulder is good to go, although Loveland himself said he would be cleared for contact in six months which would make him fully ready to go by the second week of training camp. He had a formal interview with the Broncos at the Combine.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina, 6-0, 221

This was my mock pick for the Broncos, although I’m beginning to wonder if Hampton will be drafted before the 20th spot. He would be right there with Jeanty as the draft’s top back if he had a tick more breakaway speed.

A superb rusher with 1,500 and 1,600 yards the past two seasons — plus 29 and 38 catches. And he is a good pass pro blocker. If Hampton is there as the draft gets past the No. 15 pick, I wouldn’t be surprised if Broncos general manager George Paton started making phone calls to see if he can move up a tad.

Keep in mind, the Steelers, who are picking right behind the Broncos at No. 21, also need a running back.

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State, 6-5 ½, 256

Like Jeanty, Warren is expected to be a top 10 pick. But if for some reason he falls, the Broncos probably wouldn’t pass on this matchup nightmare for defenses. Warren had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and 8 touchdowns last year.

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss, 6-4, 296

With current Broncos defensive linemen Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach all entering contract years, a quality reinforcement is needed. And this is the year to get one as defensive tackle is considered right there with running back as the two best positions in the draft.

Nolen is projected by many as a mid- to-late first-round selection. A consensus All American for the Rebels last year when he had 48 tackles and 6.5 sacks from an interior position. Transferred from Texas A&M where he had 4.0 sacks in 2023.

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas, 5-11, 191

The fastest offensive player in the draft, Golden also visited with the Broncos. He played two years at Houston, then had a breakout year in his lone season at Texas last year, recording 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. Came through with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in an Elite Eight NCAA playoff win against Arizona State.

Golden is considered one of the top three receivers in this draft, along with Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan. The Broncos already have two young deep threats in Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin. Would they consider adding a third with their first draft choice?

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State, 6-0, 221

He was in at Broncos’ headquarters for a “30” visit a few days before his college teammate Henderson came in. Judkins rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns as a freshman at Ole Miss, then 1,060 yards and 14 TDs last year at Ohio State, where he split time with Henderson. Ran his 40 in 4.48 at the Combine.

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon, 6-4 ½, 313

Played three seasons at Michigan State then transferred to Oregon where he had a breakout season, registering 5.0 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, four pass deflections and two forced fumbles. Only 21, Harmon ran a 4.95, 40 at the Combine.

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan, 6-3 3/8, 330

Very large man — word is he pushed 360 pounds early in his college career — who combined for 6.5 sacks the past two years. Played for Jim Harbaugh’s national champions in 2023.

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