One Interior O-Line Target for Broncos in Each Round of the Draft

In the NFL draft, it's difficult to find talent in the later rounds, and the Denver Broncos are going to have to figure that out as they only have one pick, No. 62 overall, in the early rounds. Fortunately for the Broncos, the positions they could use the most can be found on the third day of this upcoming draft.

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One of those positions is the interior offensive line, as the Broncos may need to find someone to develop in preparation for Ben Powers' potential departure after 2026. The Broncos say they view Powers as their starting left guard, but things can always change.

So, using the Consensus Big Board, let's look at one interior offensive line prospect per round for the Broncos. We will continue listing first and third-round options, even though Denver doesn't have either, in the interest of being comprehensive.

Our last look was at offensive tackle.

Round 1 Option: Emmanuel Pregnon | Oregon

Pregnon is from Denver, has the traits to be a starter as a rookie, and is a plug-and-play guard in a system that matches what the Broncos currently run. He's a leader, he's durable, has a good football IQ, and has plenty of experience under his belt, but he will be an older rookie, though that's not an issue for the Broncos.

There are issues with Pregnon getting his pads high and staying on his feet, as well as his initial quickness to get ahead on the rep as a drive blocker. The power is unquestionable, both in his anchor against pull rushers and in generating movement in the run game. He also knows how to torque power and dislodge anchored defenders, getting them off their spots.

Round 2 Option: Chase Bisontis | Texas A&M

Bisontis isn’t far behind Pregnon in terms of draft projection, and even as the second-round option here, he has a chance to go in the first and is projected to be a top-50 pick, so Denver would likely have to move up to get him. Bisontis is a capable and versatile interior blocker who can play all three spots and in any scheme.

There is a concern over his length, which is exacerbated by his bad habit of reaching and lunging into contact. It wasn’t a consistent issue in college, but the jump to the NFL, with its speed and athleticism, could become a bigger concern. He has great technique and can be a plug-and-play starter, and should be a good one off the bat, with a chance at greatness with a few corrections.

Round 3 Option: Jake Slaughter | Florida

Slaughter is a multi-year captain and starter with a high football IQ and the traits to be an instant starter at the pivot spot in the NFL. There is some ability to swing out as a guard, but as a plug-and-play, scheme-versatile starting center, he shouldn’t be viewed as a guard.

There are some issues with the traits: Slaughter doesn’t have the best build, can have power issues, and can be slow to react to movement. However, his awareness and football IQ make up for a lot of those issues, and even with Luke Wattenberg's extension, it doesn’t give him more than 2026, and Denver could, though unlikely, look for a way to cut costs there after this season.

Round 4 Option: Beau Stephens | Iowa

Stephens has the traits to be a starting guard in any scheme, but in non-zone offenses, he could use some time to adjust and adapt. While he doesn’t have the best length or athleticism, he is smart and physical, with a never-give-up mentality that drives him to punish defenders.

There is no doubt that Stephens has the power to hold up to the strongest of bull-rush attempts, and he is quick into his anchor. His pass-set technique is clean, and he knows how to protect the gaps with his sets. The punch technique and timing will need to be fine-tuned, but the base is there. Coming out of Iowa, you know he has a good base as a technician and will put in the work to improve.

Round 5 Option: Ar’maj Reed-Adams | Texas A&M

There is plenty of experience with Reed-Adams, a sixth-year senior who has played over 600 snaps in the last three years as a big, physical downhill blocker. He isn’t the best at climbing or pulling, though, as he can miss his landmarks and incoming defenders.

As a pass protector, Reed-Adams shows a good anchor to handle a bull rush and has a good body of work, allowing four sacks and 34 pressures combined over the last three years. His punch technique can be problematic due to inconsistency, but the potential is there with further development.

Round 6 Option: D.J. Campbell | Texas

Campbell has a good build and length to be a guard in the NFL, but there will be questions over his scheme and positional versatility. He has played 2,635 snaps in college, with all but two coming at right guard. There is no doubt about his strength and power, and he has proven to be a durable player up front.

Coaching will need to get Campbell to keep his head back, as he plays with his shoulders ahead of his toes, and that kind of lean will keep a blocker on the sidelines. The movement skills aren’t great, but he has the power to be a downhill mauler in a scheme that will ask little movement from him.

Round 7 Option: Micah Morris | Georgia

Morris has all of the traits to be an elite blocker, but he is far from a complete player, as the pieces to the puzzle still need to be put together. He has the size, build, length, strength, athleticism, and intelligence, but the technique is a work in progress, as is eliminating the bad habits that litter his tape.

Morris plays almost completely upright, with no bend and no chest protection. His base is consistently too narrow, which can make it easy to get him off balance. Then you have the feet that consistently stop moving, leading to issues with him staying in front of contact and engaged.

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