INDIANAPOLIS — Having the No. 30 pick in the NFL draft, the Broncos might welcome a scenario similar to last year’s first round. Just one inside linebacker was selected and he went No. 31.

Don’t count on history repeating since this year’s linebacker class is deeper.

The Broncos entered this week’s NFL scouting combine with linebacker being one of their primary targets for the April 23-25 draft in Pittsburgh. Speaking Tuesday in Indianapolis, coach Sean Payton called that position one of Denver’s “musts” during the offseason, also putting running back and tight end in that category.

The Broncos began interviewing linebacker prospects Monday and on Wednesday a number of them talked about how it went.

“It was awesome,’’ said Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. “Coach Payton was awesome. I just love being there talking ball. Turn the film on, sometimes I break down some of their plays, things like that, break down your plays. You just got to go in there and be yourself.”

Styles, though, could be long gone if the Broncos stay at No. 30. He is projected to be taken in the top 20 and perhaps even in the top 10. He is rated by most analysts as the No. 2 linebacker prospect behind Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese, projected to go in the top 10.

It’s a far cry from last year when the only linebacker selected in the first round was Jihaad Campbell going No. 31 to Philadelphia.

Nevertheless, the depth at linebacker in the draft could benefit the Broncos, who have uncertainty at the position due to Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in line to be free agents in March and with Dre Greenlaw and Drew Sanders having been injury prone. There could be some very intriguing prospects available if they stay at No. 30.

Projected to be a late first-round pick is Georgia’s C.J. Allen. He said his interview with Denver went well.

“I had a conversation with the defensive staff,’’ Allen said. “They also would be a great spot (to play), just how they play defense.”

While going 14-3 in 2025, the Broncos were No. 2 in the NFL in total defense and No. 3 in points allowed. They advanced to the AFC Championship Game, falling 10-7 to New England.

“I had a great conversation with them,’’ said Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech, who could be on the board at No. 30. “I thought everything was run really smooth and I thought they’re a program that is really aligned, I think, on how they were asking questions and what they wanted to know.

“I think it kind of showed how much they trust each other and trust their coaching staff. That’s why they had a lot of success this year. I would love to play in Denver. That would be a great, great organization, great coaches, a great place to be. I would be very, very excited to be there.”

Another linebacker who could be available at No. 30 has some impressive bloodlines. Missouri’s Josiah Trotter is the son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and current Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

“Just coming in and just watching more film,’’ Josiah Trotter said of his meeting with Denver. “I think that was the first one where I watched a lot more (film). I was able to talk a little more ball (and) see good plays, bad plays and just overall talk ball.”

Whether Denver takes a linebacker in the first round could depend on how free agency goes. Singleton, a starter who wears the green dot signifying he has a defense communication device and usually plays every snap in games, and Strnad, a top reserve, both could test the market in free agency.

Strnad told The Denver Gazette last month he wants to sign a multiyear deal and be a starter. With Greenlaw, the other starter, under contract, Strnad said it could be difficult returning to the Broncos if Singleton is re-signed.

“We’d love to have them back, regardless of who’s in the draft,’’ general manager George Paton said of Singleton and Strnad. “We see those guys as Broncos. If we let those guys leave, what are we doing? Those are good guys, that doesn’t mean we can get them (back). Everyone is watching tape.”

There also is uncertainty surrounding Greenlaw, who was a marquee signing as a free agent last March but got into just eight games in the regular season. He missed eight games due to injuries and one because of an NFL suspension. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon for San Francisco in the Super Bowl in February 2024, he has appeared in just 10 games the past two regular seasons.

Denver selected Sanders in the third round of the 2023 draft. But he has appeared in just four games the past two seasons, which included missing all of 2025 following foot surgery.

“I think that this is a pretty good linebacker class,’’ Paton said. “It’s a tough position for a rookie to come in and play right away, especially with some of the things that we do. I do like the depth of this class. … We interviewed (linebackers on Monday night). It was a sharp group.”

That included the Broncos talking to a number of linebackers who could be candidates to be selected after the first round. Cincinnati’s Jake Golday could go as high as the third round.

“It went really well,’’ Golday said of his meeting. “Just kind of talking through schemes and where I fit with them in their system. It’s just an awesome opportunity to get in front of all these coaches.”

Brigham Young’s Jack Kelly could go as high as the fourth round. The Kearns, Utah, native said it would be “awesome” playing somewhat close to home.

“It was good,’’ Kelly said of his meeting. “They were able to teach me a little bit of their plays to see how I understood it. They told me about their needs.”

Clemson’s Wade Woodaz and Oklahoma’s Owen Heineke, both possible late-round picks, said they had informal interviews at the combine with Denver. Harold Perkins, a possible early third-day pick from LSU, said he talked to the Broncos in January at the East-West Shrine Bowl. And Texas A&M’s Scooby Williams, a likely late-round pick, said he talked to them last month at the Senior Bowl.

“I would fit in well,’’ Williams said. “They’ve got one of my home boys from Birmingham (Ala.), Que (Robinson). I congratulated him when he got a sack in the playoffs (against the Patriots).”

Robinson, a fourth-rounder last year from Alabama, plays outside linebacker, where the Broncos have plenty of depth. As for inside linebacker, that could be a different story when the draft comes around.