Considering their free-agency haul, what should be Broncos’ NFL Draft priority at No. 20?

Chris Tomasson, Broncos beat writer

Answer: Running back

Tight end? Check.

Linebacker? Check.

Safety? Check.

If Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is available at No. 20, the Broncos should take less than 10 seconds of the allotted 10 minutes to make him their pick. It seems unlikely, though, that Jeanty, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for 2,601 yards, still will be available then.

If Jeanty is gone, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton would be worth taking at No. 20. He is coming off seasons with the Tar Heels of 1,504 yards rushing in 2023 and 1,660 in 2024.

Interestingly, Hampton talked last month at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis about how he has a good relationship and talks regularly with Javonte Williams, who played at North Carolina before him and spent the past four seasons with the Broncos. Williams, as expected, has left Denver as a free agent, agreeing to a one-year, $3 million deal with Dallas.

The Broncos need a running back to replace Williams as the primary starter. Jaleel McLaughlin is solid but most effective as a change-of-pace back. And it remains to be seen if Audric Estime, a rookie last season, has what it takes to be a starter.

But the Broncos can clear things up by taking a running back in the first round of the draft. They also might want to consider trading up to get Jeanty. Or they might be able to trade down and still get Hampton while acquiring additional assets. But if they miss out on both, it’s still a very deep running back draft class.

Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets beat writer

Answer: Wide receiver

Hey, George, go long!

The top two receivers in the draft – Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan – will be long gone by the time George Paton’s front office makes its first pick, but there are a couple of game-changing talents who very well may still be on the board.

Texas’s Matthew Golden helped his stock at the combine by running a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash, but he’s more than just a burner. Golden is a high-end route runner with solid ball skills.

After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Houston, Golden became a valuable deep threat on a Texas team that played in plenty of big games last season. Golden matched the moment with eight catches for 162 yards in the SEC Championship Game and helped the Longhorns survive a double-overtime scare from Arizona State with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. He finished his final college season with 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns.

If Golden’s gone, Missouri’s Luther Burden III should be available. Burden was a projected top-10 pick after a massive sophomore season when he posted 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. A quieter junior season across the board – 61 receptions, 676 yards and six touchdowns – could work in Denver’s favor. He’s not quiet the speedster Golden is, but Burden is an established threat with the ball in his hands. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and looked like a fluid route runner at the combine.

Between Courtland Sutton’s contract situation and the inconsistent performances from Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin, the Broncos should invest in Bo Nix’s future No. 1 guy. The addition of either Golden or Burden would help Nix avoid a sophomore slump and give the Broncos another weapon should they find themselves in shootouts with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens.