Reaching the NFL Playoffs meant the Denver Broncos would be selecting a lot later than they did in 2024. Once their season was over, the Broncos wound up with the 20th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While we wait for the next season to start, all analysts can focus on is how the Broncos can improve over the offseason. This means hundreds of Broncos mock drafts will take place between now and April 24, when the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off.
Recently, there was one that saw a “dream scenario” play out for Sean Payton’s team.
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ESPN’s 2025 NFL mock draft has Denver Broncos selecting Ashton Jeanty in ‘dream scenario’
While it’s fun to spend time projecting which player the Denver Broncos will draft in April, there’s a lot to be determined with NFL free agency yet to even begin. Surely, the Broncos’ roster needs will change over the next few months, but that doesn’t mean we can’t evaluate different scenarios anyway.
Recently, ESPN insider Field Yates revealed his latest edition of the 2025 NFL mock draft, where he sees a “dream scenario” playing out with University of Boise State’s running back Ashton Jeanty slipping to the 20th overall pick.
“It was hard to go 19 picks without Jeanty coming off the board — he’s one of my five highest-ranked prospects in the class. But he also plays the deepest position in this draft and one on which many teams philosophically are not inclined to use a premium pick. But this would be a dream scenario for the Broncos. They tied for 20th in yards per rush (4.1) and Javonte Williams is a free agent.
Jeanty would take over the lead role behind an excellent offensive line (the Broncos ranked first in run block win rate in 2024) and pair with second-year quarterback Bo Nix to give coach Sean Payton an offensive boost. Jeanty can be a Pro Bowl-level player very early in his career, as his speed, power, contact balance and receiving profile are all excellent. He ran for 2,601 yards this past season.”
ESPN’s Broncos mock draft
If Jeanty, who’s widely viewed as one of the best overall players in the 2025 draft class, falls out of the first half of the first round, that would certainly qualify as a “dream scenario” for any team that lucks into his selection.
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