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Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter (40) celebrates after stopping a Kansas run on fourth down late in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo\/Colin E. Braley)<\/p>\nJustin Strnad recently signed a three-year contract that averages $6 million a year. Alex Singleton\u2019s new deal gives him a salary-cap number of $6 million in 2026. And now the Broncos have a \u201csix-million-dollar question.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked about the team\u2019s plan to play Jonah Elliss some at inside linebacker next season and how it might affect what they do in the April 23-25 NFL draft. Elliss played outside linebacker his first two years.<\/p>\n
To recap, the Broncos re-signed Strnad and Singleton in March to be their starting inside linebackers, and they released Dre Greenlaw after one injury-riddled season. They have a trio of young guys on the roster, none of whom were drafted, in Karene Reid, Jordan Turner and Levelle Bailey, but they might want to feel better about their third inside linebacker. It could be Elliss or perhaps a player Denver takes in the draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes that impact how we draft or is it vice versa?\u201d Payton asked about the situation. \u201cThat would be the six-million-dollar question. I think it\u2019s a little bit of both.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regardless, it would be a surprise if the Broncos don\u2019t select an inside linebacker at some point in the draft. They head into the event with their top pick being No. 62 in the second round and also have two selections in the fourth round, one in the fifth and three in the seventh round.<\/p>\n
In going 14-3 and making the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos last season finished No. 2 in the NFL in total defense and No. 3 in scoring defense. However, in addition to Greenlaw being gone, they also lost in free agency defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers to Tennessee and safety P.J. Locke to Dallas. Those are two other positions they could look to target in the draft.<\/p>\n
At inside linebacker, Ohio State\u2019s Sonny Styles is the only prospect certain to go in the first round and Georgia\u2019s C.J. Allen will likely go late in the first or early in the second round. After that, there could be a solid linebacker available at No. 62 or within reasonable range to trade up for in the second round. One possibility could be Texas Tech\u2019s Jacob Rodriguez, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds at the scouting combine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s definitely a chance he could be available at 62,\u201d said NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis. \u201cI think he tested better at the combine than a lot of people expected he would. He has the playmaking ability of knocking the ball away (in forcing seven fumbles in 2025).\u201d<\/p>\n
Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter (40) celebrates after stopping a Kansas run on fourth down late in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo\/Colin E. Braley)<\/p>\n
When it comes to good genes, Missouri\u2019s Josiah Trotter could be a target for Denver. He is the son of former NFL star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and brother of current Philadelphia linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople always jump on the athleticism right away but I like (Trotter\u2019s) understanding of how to play the position,\u201d Davis said. \u201cYou can see the patience in what he does in not overrunning plays.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other linebackers who could be targets for the Broncos at No. 62 include Anthony Hill of Texas, Cincinnati\u2019s Jake Golday and Pittsburgh\u2019s Kyle Louis. Possible targets for later in the draft could be Brigham Young\u2019s Jack Kelly, Buffalo\u2019s Red Murdock and LSU\u2019s Harold Perkins Jr.<\/p>\n
On the defensive line, Clemson\u2019s Peter Woods and Ohio State\u2019s Kayden McDonald figure to be long gone by No. 62. But Florida\u2019s Caleb Banks, who has first-round talent, still could be available due to having broken his foot at the combine. He is expected to be out until June.<\/p>\n
Other defensive linemen who could be available in Denver\u2019s range include Missouri\u2019s Chris McClellan, Iowa State\u2019s Domonique Orange, Texas Tech\u2019s Lee Hunter and Texas A&M\u2019s Tyler Onyedim.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big Chris McClellan fan,\u201d said draft analyst Corey Chavous, a former NFL safety who is the nephew of former Broncos defensive lineman Barney Chavous and who publishes \u201cDraft Nasty.\u201d \u201cI think he\u2019s a developing player whose best football is ahead of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chavous also likes the 6-foot-2, 323-pound Orange, nicknamed \u201cBig Citrus\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got enough quickness and he\u2019s a guy that can definitely play with power and play heavy,\u201d Chavous said.<\/p>\n
Defensive linemen who could be targets later in the draft include Oklahoma\u2019s Gracen Halton, Southeastern Louisiana\u2019s Kaleb Proctor and South Carolina\u2019s Nick Barrett.<\/p>\n
At safety, there was talk at the combine about the Broncos really liking Toledo\u2019s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as a possible pick at No. 30 before they sent that selection to Miami last month in the deal for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. But he will be taken well before No. 62.<\/p>\n
Not only do the Broncos have an interest in more safety depth due to the departure of Locke, but starter Brandon Jones is entering the final year of his contract and it remains to be seen whether his contract will be extended.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 62, you\u2019re probably going to have a number of good players to choose from at that spot,\u201d Chavous said.<\/p>\n
Chavous touched upon South Carolina\u2019s Jason Kilgore, Arizona\u2019s Genesis Smith and Miami\u2019s Keionte Scott as candidates in that draft range. Davis is high on TCU\u2019s Bud Clark and LSU\u2019s 6-foot, 215-pound A.J. Haulcy as a possibility late in the second round.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a bigger frame,\u201d Davis said of Haulcy. \u201cHe looks like a linebacker. He\u2019s got great anticipation, great instincts, and he doesn\u2019t mind laying a little smack on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Due to it being a deep safety class, some notable prospects could slip to Day 3 of the draft. Other possibilities for late in the draft include USC\u2019s Kamari Ramsey and Michael Taaffe of Texas. Cornerback Jahdae Barron, Taaffe\u2019s college teammate before being taken by the Broncos at No. 20 in the first round last year, has raved about him.<\/p>\n
At this point, six of Denver\u2019s seven picks will be on Day 3. Stay tuned to see when in the draft the \u201csix-million-dollar question\u201d might be answered.<\/p>\n
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