Draft Expert Names Broncos’ Ideal Late-Round Fit

Since arriving in the front office in 2021, Denver Broncos GM George Paton has had some success uncovering late-round gems in the NFL draft.

Most of Paton's late-round picks haven't gone on to become stars, but center Luke Wattenberg has garnered a second contract, while others, like cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, and punter Jeremy Crawshaw, have become key contributors.

Even wide receiver Devaughn Vele, whom Paton drafted in Round 7 back in 2024, played one season with the Broncos, working his way up to the No. 2 role opposite Courtland Sutton. The Broncos parlayed that late-round selection into a trade with the New Orleans Saints, which dealt Vele away in exchange for a fourth- and seventh-round pick. Suffice it to say, Paton knows what he's doing late in the draft.

With only one top-100 selection in the 2026 NFL draft, the bulk of Paton's heavy lifting this year will likely be in the mid and later rounds. The Broncos need a modest hit or two to help balance out the roster.

One such late-round fit, according to NFL Draft On SI's Justin Melo, could be USC linebacker Eric Gentry.

"Linebacker was one of the positions the Denver Broncos may have considered addressing with their first-round pick before they traded it for Jaylen Waddle. USC linebacker Eric Gentry made waves at the NFL Combine for measuring in with a lanky 6-foot-7, 221-pound frame with 35-inch arms. Gentry uses that length to take advantage of a massive tackle radius, having recorded 76 takedowns in 2025," Melo wrote.

The Gentry Intrigue