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Top Three Players Denver Broncos Should Target in NFL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Seth Quinn | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 1:55 PM ET

The Denver Broncos are in for an interesting draft after successfully grabbing their franchise quarterback Bo Nix last year.

The team can go in many different directions at pick No. 20, such as focusing on positions of need, emphasizing team culture and identity, or simply taking the best players available.

No matter what their draft strategy is, three players stand out as guys the Broncos would love to have, as they could fit into all three of those strategies.

Each fills a positional need, each fits into the current team's construction well, and each project as a first-round talent who would be a value pick at 20.

Here are three players Denver should target aggressively in the first round of the NFL draft, and even consider trading up to get them.

1. S Malaki Starks - Georgia

The Broncos had one of the top defenses last season, led by their defensive line and Patrick Surtain. That means the defense would benefit from adding more talent in other spots.

Malaki Starks fits that bill as a top talent whose versatility would help the defense reach new heights.

Starks can play deep safety, box safety, or some corner, although his best strength seems to be as a run-stopping safety.

He has been falling in mocks recently, but Starks clearly has first-round talent and could prove the doubters wrong given his previously high draft stock.

2. TE Colston Loveland - Michigan

Tyler Warren is also an option, but Colston Loveland seems to fit more into the current identity of elite blocking given his superior blocking skills to Warren.

Loveland, like Starks, has lots of versatility on offense, something Sean Payton surely values.

He has a large catch radius, has experience as a focal point of his offense, and can line up all over the field.

While Warren is considered the top tight end prospect by most, Loveland gives him a run for his money and would also be well worth pick No. 20.

3. RB Ashton Jeanty

This is the most obvious target for Denver given their need for a running back, but Ashton Jeanty also fits into the current identity and is considered one of the best, if not the best players in the draft.

Jeanty finished second in Heisman voting last season after a historic 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns.

The only reason Jeanty has a shot at falling to 20 is positional value, but for a team with an elite offensive line who just watched the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl led by Saquon Barkley, Jeanty is a tantalizing pick.

The Broncos have the offensive and defensive lines in place, so the RB is the last piece to acquire if they want to emulate the Eagles.

While he likely won't fall to pick No. 20, Jeanty is a generational talent that Denver should consider trading up for.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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