After letting John Franklin-Myers walk during NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos could look to shore up their defensive line depth during the 2026 NFL draft.
Zach Allen (28) returns as the team's top defensive end, and D.J. Jones (31) is back at nose tackle with Malcolm Roach (27) providing strong depth behind him. Right now, Sai’vion Jones (22) and Eyioma Uwazurike (27) appear to be the top candidates to replace JFM at one of the starting DE positions.
Today, we're taking a quick look at five defensive linemen the Broncos could target with one of their first three picks in the draft. Denver does not hold a first- or third-round pick this year, but the team holds selections in the second (No. 62 overall) and fourth (Nos. 108 and 111) rounds. These linemen could be potential candidates at those spots.
1. Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald (6-2, 326 pounds): McDonald probably won't fall to No. 62, but if he falls into the second round, the Broncos might consider moving up to grab him.
2. Florida DT Caleb Banks (6-6, 327 pounds): Banks has a history of foot injuries, but he's a high-potential prospect. If he falls late into the second round, Banks could represent good value for Denver.
3. Georgia DL Christian Miller (6-3, 321 pounds): Miller totaled 23 tackles (four behind the line) and 1.5 sacks last fall. NFL.com now has him projected as a second-round nose tackle prospect.
4. South Carolina DL Nick Barrett (6-2, 312 pounds): Barrett recorded 42 tackles (six behind the line) and two sacks as a team captain last fall. He's projected as a fourth-round pick.
5. Missouri DL Chris McClellan (6-3, 313 pounds): McClellan totaled 48 tackles (eight behind the line) and six sacks in 12 starts in 2025. The league's official website has him projected as a fourth- or fifth-round prospect.
The NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh this week, with Round 1 set for Thursday evening, Rounds 2-3 scheduled for Friday and Rounds 4-7 set for Saturday. We'll have coverage of Denver's picks on Broncos Wire.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: 5 defensive linemen to target in 2026 NFL draft