The Denver Broncos have made some big moves in free agency and that could have shifted the way the team is looking at the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
After landing Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Evan Engram in free agency, the team may have new names towards the top of their big board in the draft. Several holes still remain on the roster, but how does the team prioritize each of those needs?
One area where more firepower is needed is at the wide receiver spot. The Broncos have Courtland Sutton, a reliable veteran still capable of big performances. But Bo Nix needs another big-play option to get the ball to and help round out a room that includes Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.
In putting together his most recent mock draft, Kyle Stackpole of CBS has the Broncos using their first-round pick on Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
“Bo Nix has shown he can play quarterback in the NFL. He just needs more consistency from his receiving corps, which Emeka Egbuka will provide. He was always overshadowed at Ohio State by otherworldly talents, but he’s a savvy route runner who just knows how to get open”, wrote Stackpole.
In this scenario, the Broncos pass on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in order to grab Egbuka. Some would argue that the Broncos should still take a player like Loveland if he is there, despite the signing of Engram.
Egbuka spent all four years of his college career at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win the national title this past year. For his career there, he caught 205 passes for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns. He had 10 touchdown catches in a season twice, becoming one of the top receivers in the nation.
Egbuka is a natural wide receiver who is an above-average route runner. That attention to detail would aid him greatly in playing with Nix, who can make quick, efficient reads. If he and Egbuka could create rhythm in the passing game with their dedication to the little things in the passing game, it could become a terrific combination at the pro level.
Ohio State has long had a history of producing great NFL wide receivers. The only time the Broncos have ever drafted a wide receiver out of Ohio State came back in 1993 when they took Brian Stablein in the 8th round of the draft. He was released following the preseason that same year.
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