Here are several prospects at the 2026 Senior Bowl the Denver Broncos should be keeping close tabs on.
The pre-draft circuit is in full swing with every NFL team’s scouting and personnel department flocking to Mobile, Alabama for this year’s Senior Bowl. The Denver Broncos’ brass vowed to be aggressive this offseason adding talent to the team. With an extra fourth-round pick from the Devaughn Vele trade, the Broncos have five picks in the top five rounds. That will go a long way toward retooling the roster via the 2026 NFL Draft. With that in mind, here are several offensive prospects I’m high on for the Broncos.
Kaytron Allen — Penn State — Running Back
One area of emphasis for the Broncos this offseason will be upgrading their running game. Their rushing attack took a step back this past season after veteran J.K. Dobbins was sidelined with a Lisfranc injury. The team did average 4.4 yards per carry on the year but struggled in short yardage and goal line situations.
This is an area Denver could make a splash in free agency, but drafting another young running back to pair with R.J. Harvey out of the backfield is in play as well. The Penn State duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are the backs in Mobile that I’m the most intrigued by. However, I think the better fit for Denver’s needs might be Allen who outperformed Singleton this past season.
Listed at 5’11 and 217 pounds, Allen offers an impressive blend of size, athleticism and power that currently isn’t in Denver’s running back room. In his four-year career at Penn State, Allen rushed for 4,180 yards on 769 carries (5.4 YPC) and had 39 touchdowns. He also had 70 receptions for 490 yards and four touchdowns. Accumulating yards after contact is a strength of his, with 792 of his 1,303 rushing yards his senior season coming after initial hits by defenders.
In my opinion, Allen would be a great option for the Broncos on Day 2 this coming April. He is a decisive north-south runner that would add a lot of grit and toughness to Denver’s backfield. However, I doubt he lasts until late in the second-round where the team is scheduled to pick. If the Broncos don’t make a splash in free agency to upgrade the position, prioritizing getting a running back who can make an immediate impact is a must. I think Allen would certainly be a prospect that headlines that list.
J.C. Davis — Illinois — Offensive Lineman
The Denver Broncos boast a great offensive line. It’s certainly one of the strengths of the team. Both Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz were Pro-Bowl and All-Pro players this past season. Nevertheless, they could certainly add to their offensive trenches to continue to keep the unit one of the most formidable in the National Football League. We all saw some struggles when multiple starters went down with injuries throughout the year.
A player I like for the Broncos is Illinois offensive lineman JC Davis. Davis’ collegiate journey has taken him all over the country. Davis started out at Contra Costa College before transferring to New Mexico for two seasons to play in the Mountain West Conference. This past year, he manned the Illini’s left tackle position and performed admirably. Davis measured in at 6’4″, 335 pounds, with nearly a 35″ arm length in Mobile and has impressed with his reps at both tackle and guard.
Drafting a prospect with that sort of positional flexibility would be wise for Denver. Both Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are getting up there in age and nearing the end of their contracts. Additionally, Ben Powers is a player Denver may move on from this offseason to generate more cap space.
I like Davis’ power at the point of attack and feel he could be a good road grader to bolster the Broncos’ rushing attack. He also has a lot of collegiate experience, which is something both Payton and Assistant Head Coach Zach Strief value greatly at the position. I do have some concerns about his athleticism on the move, but still like his fit in the Mile High City.
Ja’Kobi Lane — Wide Receiver — USC
The Broncos have invested a draft pick at wide receiver in the past three drafts with Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. All of them have flashed at some point, but all are still a work in progress. During his end-of-season press conference, Head Coach Sean Payton stated he liked those guys and their future potential. A few hours later, wide receiver coach Keary Colbert was relieved of his duties.
I’m not sure if the Broncos will spend another early pick on a receiver in this year’s draft. Though it is certainly possible. While Courtland Sutton had another good year for the Broncos, his 60-percent catch percentage is far less than ideal for a number one receiver in the league. Despite getting a big contract extension last offseason, it doesn’t seem likely that the Broncos would pay him the $28 million dollar salary he is scheduled to make in 2027.
A player that reminds me a lot of Sutton and could be a potential long-term replacement is USC standout Ja’Kobi Lane. This past year, Lane hauled in 49 receptions for 745 yards and 4 touchdowns. The year prior, he had 43 catches for 525 yards and 12 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 14 yards per catch with the Trojans, and his tape shows a player who can work down the field and do very well with contested catches.
Standing at 6’4” and 196 pounds, Lane has the ability to add more weight and strength to his frame. His near 33” arms were some of the longest measured in Mobile. While not a first-round prospect, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go somewhere early on Day 2, perhaps in the Top 50 if he continues to perform well and impress over the coming months leading up to April’s draft.
Category: General Sports
