Future Broncos: Defensive prospects to watch at 2026 Panini Senior Bowl

Yesterday, our Future Broncosinstallment looked at some prospects on offense that the Denver Broncos should be keeping their eye on during this week’s festivities in Mobile. With the three days of practices over, all that is left is for the game to be played. The Senior Bowl will be aired lived at 2:30 PM (EST) on NFL Network at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Here are three prospects that have caught my eye who I believe the Broncos would be wise to consider in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Lee Hunter — Texas Tech — Defensive Tackle

With John Franklin-Myers set to hit free agency and Eyioma Uwazurike entering the final year of his contract, the Broncos may opt to add to add another defensive end to their front. However, they drafted Sai’vion Jones in the third-round of last year’s draft as a developmental prospect the team is still high on.

Alongside the aforementioned, the Broncos have Zach Allen on the interior defensive line alongside Malcolm Roach and D.J. Jones, who recently earned extensions with the Broncos. I felt Denver being five deep on their defensive line this year helped keep players fresh and spread the snap share around. They are still returning five players, but have the ability to add in the draft if need be.

Texas Tech standout Lee Hunter is player to watch. Hunter was initially recruited and redshirted with Auburn five years ago. However, his first three playing years came at UCF when he transferred alongside Gus Malzahn who took the job with the Golden Knights. He was a standout performer in their defense and graded out as one of the best run defending tackles in college football. In 38 games, he had 131 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks for their defense.

This past season, Hunter played for the Red Raiders and made a huge impact. He started 14 games in the Big 12 and notched 41 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. 38 games, 131 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. At 6’4” and 320 pounds with over 34” inch arms [you can’t teach those traits], Hunter is a large presence on the interior of the defense. While best suited to be a nose at the next level, his size and wingspan would allow him to play outside techniques in Vance Joseph’s defense.

Hunter will be on the older side as a rookie at 24. Nevertheless, he is a quality player who should get a phone call in the Top 50 selections come April if he continues to excel during the pre-draft process. While I would say he is a longshot at Denver late in the first-round, defensive trench players with his size and ability are often a hot commodity on draft day. I’d peg him as a ‘sleeper’ pick for Denver in April considering Jones’ age and contract situation in 2027.

Skyler Thomas — Oregon State — Safety

The Broncos also have a great secondary. Talanoa Hufanga was an All-Pro for the Broncos in 2025, and Brandon Jones was playing well prior to injury. However, P.J. Locke is a free agent, it’s the last year of Jones’ deal, and J.L. Skinner is in the final year of his rookie contract. Special teams’ demon Devon Key is the other safety under contract for the Denver next year.

Upgrading safety doesn’t have to be an early-round endeavor for the Broncos. However, considering the aforementioned they should consider adding to the group later on in the ‘26 NFL Draft. Oregon State safety Skyler Thomas is a prospect to watch on Saturday. Thomas late addition to the Senior Bowl after impressing earlier on in the pre-draft process at the American Bowl.

The 6’2” and 207-pound redshirt senior spent five years in Corvallis. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury. In his four years playing with the Beavers, Thomas got better each season. In 49 games, the safety notched 191 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 17 pass breakups. If the Broncos are looking for a smart and tough player who can also make an impact on special teams, Thomas is a prospect to consider. Currently, the Oregon State standout projects as a Day 3 selection.

Keyshaun Elliot — Arizona State — Inside Linebacker

One big question mark the Broncos will have to address this offseason is the situation at inside linebacker. Dre Greenlaw will be coming back, but both Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton are free agents and played a lot of snaps for Denver over the past few years. They also have several inside linebackers from the UDFA cycle the past two years in Karene Reid and Jordan Turner, as well as former third-round draft pick Drew Sanders whose career has been limited due to continuous injuries.

This is a position where I feel the Broncos could best utilize an early round selection. You’ve heard me talk about a lot of the top guys, but it’s important to also look for diamonds in the rough who may offer starting potential. Hunter’s teammate, Jacob Rodriguez, is a player I highlighted in a Future Broncos segment earlier in the year. By all accounts, he seems to be the inside linebacker that is dominating the most in Mobile. It appears that he is going to be a Top 64 selection as I had thought—perhaps even higher.

Through a few days of practices, Arizona State’s Keyshaun Elliot is someone who checked a lot of boxes for me. He was strong going downhill against the run and made several splash plays in coverage. At 6’1-1/2” and 233 pounds, he was one of the bigger linebackers present in Mobile.

A two-year starter wearing the green dot in the Sun Devils’ offense, Elliot spent his first two years with New Mexico State. The past two seasons, he had 163 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and an interception. Elliot projects as a Day 3 prospect who has the potential to start down the road. Given his ability to blitz well, I think he would be a good fit as a ‘pressure player’ Denver’s coaches often talk about in their scheme.