9NEWS likes these six players (and one bonus) for the Broncos’ No. 62 draft pick hopper. Should there be anything but running backs and tight ends?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Perhaps, somewhere on a board hanging in a soon-to-be-doomed second-floor office, the Broncos have their Super Six for sixty-two.

“We feel like we have six players we’re kind of focused on that could be there at 62,’’ Broncos general manager George Paton said last week about the Broncos’ first draft selection that doesn’t come until late in the second round Friday. “We feel good about those players.’’

Some context to 9NEWS’ strategy in picking our own Super Six for sixty-two. Bo Nix will be the league’s 46th-highest paid quarterback this at a shade less than $2.5 million. If all goes well for Bo this season, the Broncos will extend his contract after this season, and he will be in line to receive at least $45 million to $50 million in 2027.

Not that teams haven’t figured out how to win Super Bowls with well-paid quarterbacks – the Chiefs went 2-2 in the Big Game after Patrick Mahomes signed his 10-year, $503 million deal in 2020. But Mahomes did have to carry them as the Chiefs had to trim elsewhere with their roster.

The point is, for the Broncos to win a Super Bowl, the time is now. Worry about 2027 next year. 

The Super Six for sixty-two better fill an immediate need.

Which from here is another target for Nix from one of two positions – running back or a down-the-seam, pass-catching tight end. In that order, it says here.

Inside linebacker? Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad return as locked-in starters with the possibility Jonah Elliss may become available for backup snaps.

Defensive lineman? The Broncos just used a third-round draft pick last year on Sai’vion Jones and former fourth-round selection Eyioma Uwazurike is just coming into his own. Jones didn’t play but 33 snaps in three games as a rookie, spending the year developing in practice. A second-round defensive tackle would likely sit behind Jones this year.

Offensive tackle or guard? Ben Powers, Mike McGlinchey and Garett Bolles aren’t going anywhere this year. Find their developmental replacements in the mid to late rounds.

The Broncos must fill an immediate need with their No. 62 pick.

Even a second-round tight end would have a tough time taking meaningful reps in 2026, at least early in the season. Evan Engram and Adam Trautman are back at $11.5 million and $6 million, respectively. Head coach Sean Payton loves No. 3 tight end Nate Adkins, although his modest one-year, $1.64 million salary in lieu of restricted free agency suggests he needs to prove he can stay healthy.

Is Caleb Lohner – a big, athletic, if raw tight end the Broncos took with a 7th-round flyer last year — ready to emerge as the latest converted basketball secret weapon? If so, running back would make more sense with that second-round pick.

Still, the draft pundits say there is good tight end depth in this draft from the second to fourth round. It would be a surprise if the Broncos didn’t get one either in the second round, the third round through a trade up, or using one of their two high, fourth-round picks.

“We definitely view (Engram) as a key piece,’’ head coach Sean Payton said last week. “I would say this about this class in my opinion, if you are looking for a blocking ‘Y’, there are a handful available that would be targeted. If you are looking for a move, maybe a little bit undersized ‘F’, they are out there.

“To each his own, the different type of tight ends are available. It’s always a challenge with that position because sometimes you are projecting maybe in an offense that is playing them differently.’’

That leaves running back. Given J.K. Dobbins’ injury history and with RJ Harvey seemingly better fit for a 1B-type role, at least entering his second season, the Broncos are expected to take a running back in this draft. Again, it figures they would take one either on Day 2 with their second-round selection or by trading up into the third round on Friday, or with their two picks in the fourth. The Broncos also have draft picks in the 5th round and three in the 7th on Saturday.

No one but the Broncos had Harvey going as high as No. 60 last year so there’s a chance Payton and Paton like a running back at No. 62 that would surprise the draft pundits

The sooner a running back is taken the better, it says here. 9NEWS took a stab at the Super Six for Sixty Two. As you can see, we’re not messing with any positions but the Broncos’ two primary positions of need:

Max Klare, TE, Ohio State, 6-4 3/8, 246

The ‘F’ prospect recently visited the Broncos’ Dove Valley headquarters, which will be torn down starting in late-June. Klare was a productive pass catcher both for 1-11 Purdue in 2024 (53 catches, 684 yards, 4 TDs) and 12-2 Ohio State last season (43 catches, 488 yards, 2 TDs).

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt, 6-3 ¾, 239

After losing a quarterback competition to Diego Pavia at New Mexico State in 2023, Stowers switched to become Pavia’s favorite tight end target that year, then followed him to Vanderbilt in 2024.

Stowers combined for 111 catches, 1,407 yards and 11 touchdowns in his two seasons with Pavia and Vandy.

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas, 6-1, 233

A big back who has receiving skills to go along with his breakout year at Arkansas as a fifth-year junior. Ran the 40 in 4.33. Played for Buffalo and New Mexico State but didn’t have his best season until he gained 1,070 yards on 6.4 yards per carry, and 8 touchdowns for the Razorbacks. He also had 28 catches. He’s fumbled too much but Broncos’ running backs coach Lou Ayeni can teach ball security.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska, 5-10 ¼, 202

Not a burner or big which is why he’s mostly projected for the fourth round. But he’s quick (4.56, 40 but a 4.29 20-yard shuttle while Harvey had a 4.4, 40 and 4.34 shuttle) and elusive. Had 217 yards rushing against a quality Iowa team at season’s end and he is the best receiver among backs projected in the second through fourth rounds.

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame, 5-10 5/8, 203

The backup to Jeremiyah Love is projected to go in the top of the second round, not the bottom. But if Price falls to the late-40s, and the Broncos love him, they may explore a trade up. Price rushed for 6.0 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns in a backup role. His legs are fresher than almost any other running back in this class. Problem is there isn’t receiving production. Only had six catches last year and Payton likes his backs to catch the ball.

Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State, 6-3 ½, 241 or Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington, 5-8 1/8, 220

OK, so we snuck in a seventh prospect on the Super Six list for Sixty Two. Joly had three years of impressive receiving numbers at Connecticut and North Carolina State.  

Coleman has ideal size and impressively ran for 1,811 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons at Washington. He also had 31 catches last year for 354 yards and two touchdowns.