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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during warmups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Denver Broncos have boots on the ground in Indianapolis for the 2026 combine, and there was a definite trend that head coach Sean Payton all but confirmed when discussing the current state of the roster ahead of the draft.
Linebacker and running back were two positions Payton called “musts” in terms of evaluations, and the Broncos acted as strongly as they could regarding the former.
However, the Broncos may have revealed their hand with their inaction.
Broncos Leave Noteworthy Name of Meeting List
GettyAnthony Hill Jr. #0 of the Texas Longhorns looks on during warmups before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Broncos met with almost all of the top linebacker prospects at the combine, aligning with Payton’s remarks about their approach to the draft, with several commenting on how those conversations went.
That includes official meetings with Georgia Bulldogs LB CJ Allen, Ohio State Buckeyes star Sonny Styles, and Jacob Rodriguez of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
However, they did not meet Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr., who has ties to the team.
The Denver Post’s Luca Evans noted Denver’s recent track record under general manager George Paton and called Hill’s remarks “an interesting admission given their No. 30 first-round pick and Hill’s projected draft range of late Day 1 to Day 2. This could actually mean the Broncos are concealing their hand here.
“The Broncos have intentionally minimized pre-draft contact with first-round targets like Pat Surtain (2021) and Jahdae Barron (2025). Is Hill next? He’s a 6-foot-3, 238-pound athlete who led the SEC in tackles for loss and forced fumbles in 2024, and profiles well in coverage.”
Allen is ILB4 on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board from February 23.
Anthony Hill a ‘3-Down LB’
GettyAnthony Hill Jr. #0 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates in the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter projected the Minnesota Vikings to select Hill with the 49th overall pick of the draft, 13 slots before he projected Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers to the Broncos.
“Three-down linebacker with the playing demeanor and production of a future Pro Bowler. He posted 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles in his three seasons at Texas, making an impact in every phase. He’s instinctive, athletic and under control, transitioning seamlessly from read to react to finish,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his profile.
“Plays with downhill thump to thwart interior blocks and the speed to pursue runners from sideline to sideline. Hill has plus cover talent in man or zone, proven credentials as a blitzer or edge rusher, and finishes plays as a strong, reliable tackler. Consistency and field command make him one of the safer linebackers in the class. His size, speed and versatility allow him to profile as an instant-impact rookie at Mike or Will ‘backer.”
Dre Greenlaw and a host of prospects are under contract for the Broncos next season, but fellow veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both free agents, which could spur Denver to reunite Barron with his college teammate in the draft.
To fill a need with an impact player on a relative bargain contract is the goal for every team.
C.J. Allen, Jacob Rodriguez & Sonny Styles Talk Up Broncos
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton shakes hands with Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers.
The Broncos’ possible nonchalant act does not belie the fact that they made strong impressions on the draft’s other top LB prospects. Allen has been a popular speculative pick for the Broncos in mock drafts, which he said he does not pay attention to because “you’ll drive yourself crazy.”
Kiper lists Allen as his 23rd-best prospect overall and LB3 in this year’s class.
Styles said his meeting with the Broncos was “awesome” and it was “good” to meet Payton. Styles is Kiper’s seventh-best prospect and seventh overall pick to the Washington Commanders.
Rodriguez told reporters that he has “met formally with the Cowboys so far. I met with the Broncos, maybe with the Bucs tonight. But informally, you’re kind of getting pulled left and right, just meeting with a lot of teams. And so, I’ve had a lot of great conversations with everybody. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Rodriguez acknowledged he is on the smaller side, comparing himself to Buffalo Bills LBs Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard. He also said he believes that he can play any position a team wants him to. The Broncos are loading up on information before the draft.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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