After rolling to the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Denver Broncos’ pursuit of a Super Bowl ended in devastating fashion. Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury in the Broncos’ Divisional Round victory, effectively knocking Denver out of the playoffs before the AFC Championship Game even started.
It was a brutal way to end the season, but all they can do is look ahead. The offseason has arrived, and preparing for free agency and the NFL Draft is at the top of the to-do list.
Internally, the Broncos’ front office and scouting department are building their big board and draft strategy. Externally, fans and analysts are putting together mock drafts and discussing potential targets for Denver.
Today, we’ll be analyzing one of those mock drafts, and it’s one that features a rather shocking selection for the Broncos.
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Denver Broncos Mock Draft Analysis: Germie Bernard in 1st Round
As the NFL offseason begins to unfold, it’s no shock that pass-catching talent has been pegged as a clear need for the Broncos. Courtland Sutton is more than capable of leading the way, but as a full unit, Denver’s weapons arsenal isn’t exactly a Super Bowl-caliber group.
In his first mock draft of the offseason, NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter has the Broncos addressing that need by taking Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in the first round.
“Bernard’s consistency and ability to make plays at all levels of the field make him a great fit for the Broncos. He has experience in the slot and outside, giving him the versatility to fill in where Denver needs him most,” wrote Reuter.
Is Germie Bernard a Good Draft Pick for the Denver Broncos?
Bernard is undoubtedly a logical draft-day target for the Broncos. As Reuter notes, his inside-out versatility could allow him to be a chess piece of sorts for Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Beyond that, his route-running ability and ability to fight through contact at the line of scrimmage point to a receiver who can make an impact on Denver’s offense rather quickly.
However, utilizing a first-round pick on Bernard doesn’t seem like a wise decision. This would be an instance of pushing a player up the board to fill a need instead of simply adding the most talented player available.
Bernard just isn’t a first-round talent. While there’s a lot to like about his game, he doesn’t possess some of the traits of a bona fide first-rounder: high-end athleticism and regular success in contested catch situations.
Consensus ranks would agree with this sentiment. On NFL Mock Draft Database, Bernard comes in as the 52nd-ranked player, making him the WR9 of the 2026 class.
Again, Bernard landing in Denver could be beneficial for the Broncos’ offense. However, this is just too early to take him.
The Broncos also have the 62nd pick at their disposal; if they want Bernard, they can roll the dice and try to grab him at No. 62 or trade up to get him earlier in the second round.
Germie Bernard Stats
After a strong 2024 campaign with the Crimson Tide, Bernard followed it up with impressive numbers once again in 2025.
2025 Stats:
14 games played
64 receptions
862 receiving yards
13.5 yards per reception
7 receiving touchdowns
18 carries
101 rushing yards
2 rushing touchdowns
Denver Broncos 2026 Draft Picks
Before potentially receiving compensatory selections, the Broncos hold seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here’s Denver’s list of picks:
Round 1: Own pick
Round 2: Own pick
Round 3: Own pick
Round 4: Saints’ pick
Round 4: Own pick
Round 5: Own pick
Round 7: Own pick
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