Next week’s NFL draft features plenty of depth at running back, a number of intriguing wide receivers and some impact tight ends. All of that should make the Broncos salivate as they look for pieces to help quarterback Bo Nix.

Then again, coach Sean Payton stressed Thursday it’s not just about offense that can aid their second-year quarterback.

“When you help your defense, you help your quarterback as well,’’ he said.

Plenty of talk entering the April 24-26 draft in Green Bay, Wis., has been about some of the big-name players the Broncos could add on offense to put alongside Nix, and such talk is reasonable with the No. 20 pick they hold. Of the Broncos’ signings in free agency, only one was a marquee offensive player in tight end Evan Engram.

Payton didn’t deny Thursday the Broncos need help at running back and said “a really good running game” helps quarterback play as does “a good defense.” But he’s still keeping matters close to the vest.

“There will be focus on the running back position,’’ Payton said. “It’s a pretty good draft for running backs. It’s a pretty good draft for interior defensive linemen. When we sign a good football player in free agency, (such as linebacker) Dre Greenlaw, we feel like we’ve helped our team, and in turn our defense and then in turn the quarterback position.”

So to help Nix, the Broncos at No. 20 could take a running back such as North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson. They could select a wide receiver such as Missouri’s Luther Burden III, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka or Matthew Golden of Texas. Or they could go tight end with the most realistic option being Michigan’s Colston Loveland.

Then again, perhaps Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant or Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen could be the pick to help Nix. Or maybe Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

One thing is for sure. The Broncos will enter the draft with plenty of options. During free agency, they filled three key needs with the signings of Engram, Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga. While a big need remains at running back, it is a deep class, so the Broncos could wait to snag one in the second or even the third round.

The Broncos haven’t taken a running back in the first round since Knowshon Moreno went No. 12 in 2009. Before joining the Broncos in 2023, Payton coached New Orleans for 15 seasons. The only times the Saints selected a running back in the first round during that time was Reggie Bush going No. 2 in 2006 and Mark Ingram No. 28 in 2011.

Asked his philosophy about taking a runner in the first round, Payton said he’s for it “if you have a real clear vision for how you want to use” him. General manager George Paton said he would have no qualms about taking one in the first round if “he’s the best player on your board” and “could impact your team.”

This is the third draft in which Paton, who came to Denver in 2021, and Payton have worked together. Paton said “it’s valuable” the experience they’ve gained.

“We’ve had three years of free agency, two seasons and everything in between,’’ Paton said. “We’re aligned in how we want to build this team. We both have a clear vision with what kinds of players and what types of people we want to bring into that building. The collaboration in that building (between) all the departments … (has) been outstanding.”

For their first draft together in 2023, the Broncos didn’t have a first-round pick. Last year, in a nerve-wracking draft, they targeted Nix and had to sweat it out before getting him at No. 12.

“We love that we are not in the same position as a year ago,’’ Payton said.

The Broncos have plenty of flexibility with their draft needs and are coming off their first playoff season since 2015. They also have both a first- and second-round pick for the first time since 2021. Last year, they didn’t have a second-round selection.

The Broncos overall have seven picks. And they will enter the draft looking to help Nix.

That could be on offense or on defense. Perhaps they even will look to help their quarterback with a special teams player.