Denver Broncos predicted to make questionable first-round pick in 2026 mock draft

Denver Broncos predicted to make questionable first-round pick in 2026 mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos are currently in London preparing to battle the in the NFL International Series and once done, they will still have 11 more games to play this season, at the very least. Still, forward-thinking teams in today's league are going to be the most successful, so finding the next members of the roster is always key. 

In his latest 2026 mock draft, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports pegs the Broncos to take Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. 

"Caleb Banks is surprisingly explosive for his size, playing with power, juice and a non-stop motor. He's been affected by a foot injury early in the 2025 season, and it's kept him on the sidelines; the injury will be worth monitoring as we get through the draft process", wrote Wilson. 

The Broncos are going to want to add a defensive tackle either in free agency or the draft next offseason, perhaps as a replacement for John Franklin-Myers, who is set to hit free agency himself. But does the team want to do it in the first round?

Banks is a hard player to get excited about for fans right now as he has played in just one game this season due to a foot injury. Even with that in mind, he is still going to be listed within the top 25 prospects next spring on just about any legitimate list. 

He has 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks for his career at Florida, but his statistics aren't going to be what draws teams to him. It's the athleticism and game-wrecking potential he possesses for a player who is 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. He can get into the backfield against the run and destroy plays but he also brings a pass-rush element due to his versatility that defensive coordinators will love. 

The talent is there, but the foot injury is concerning. However, if he can get healthy, the Broncos could get a great defensive player if this prediction were to come true. 

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