Broncos' draft results may show surprising level of confidence in one player
The Denver Broncos did not select an inside linebacker until the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, sparking speculation that the team may already have confidence in Jonah Elliss transitioning from outside to inside linebacker. Despite re-signing Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, the lack of draft investment at the position suggests Elliss could be central to their plans. The move could reflect a strategic bet on internal development rather than external acquisition. Elliss, a 2024 third-round pick, has family experience at the position and may be poised for a bigger role.
- ▪The Broncos did not draft an inside linebacker until the final pick, selecting Red Murdock with the 257th overall selection.
- ▪Inside linebacker was considered a top need after the team released Dre Greenlaw and re-signed Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
- ▪Denver traded its original second-round pick (No. 62) to Buffalo for pick No. 66 and a sixth-rounder.
- ▪In early April, reports indicated the Broncos were planning to move Jonah Elliss from outside to inside linebacker for his third season.
- ▪Elliss has two brothers, Kaden and Christian, who play inside linebacker in the NFL, suggesting a possible natural fit for the position.
Full article excerpt tap to expand
{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/broncos-draft-results-may-show-011726547.html","headline":"Broncos' draft results may show surprising level of confidence in one player","datePublished":"2026-04-28T01:17:26.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-28T01:17:26.000Z","keywords":["Denver Broncos","Alex Singleton","inside linebacker","Justin Strnad","Jonah Elliss","Broncos","Dre Greenlaw","Buffalo Bills","Kaden"],"description":"The answer to one of the Denver Broncos' biggest questions may have been there all along.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Yahoo Sports","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/icons/favicon_y112_112.png","width":112,"height":112},"url":"https://sports.yahoo.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Travis Wakeman","url":"","jobTitle":""},"creator":{"@type":"Person","name":"Travis Wakeman","url":"","jobTitle":""},"provider":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Sporting News","url":"https://www.sportingnews.com/us","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":571,"height":100,"url":"https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-07/afbd81b0-569a-11f0-bbf3-fe4a286db1d0"}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OG99mn7TRkapnmZltsa0aQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTE1MjA7aD04NTQ7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_sporting_news_articles_584/31ae18d9928586d145fbc823b7a4017b","height":427,"width":760},"thumbnailUrl":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OG99mn7TRkapnmZltsa0aQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTE1MjA7aD04NTQ7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_sporting_news_articles_584/31ae18d9928586d145fbc823b7a4017b"}Story byBroncos' draft results may show surprising level of confidence in one playerTravis WakemanTue, April 28, 2026 at 1:17 AM UTC·2 min readBroncos' draft results may show surprising level of confidence in one player originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Denver Broncos added seven new players to the roster in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the fact that the team failed to take an inside linebacker until the final pick of the draft has left some fans frustrated.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_63iudcaanpfiv65bH1_ { display: none; } @media screen and (max-width: 767.95px) { #_R_63iudcaanpfiv65bH1_ { display: flex; } iframe { max-width: 100vw; } }Inside linebacker was arguably the team's top need heading into the draft, as Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are set to be the team's starters following the offseason release of Dre Greenlaw. Though the team was quick to re-sign both Singleton and Strnad to new deals, it can't be overly confident about the prospect of them being the top options on the roster.There is a good chance the Broncos were targeting one of the top inside linebackers with their first pick (No. 62 overall) in the draft. But Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, Jake Golday, CJ Allen and Anthony Hill Jr. were all selected between picks 43-60. The Broncos then traded No. 62 to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for No. 66 and a sixth-round pick.With the final pick of the draft, the Broncos finally chose Red Murdock out of Buffalo and though he has a chance to be better than your standard "Mr. Irrelevant" pick, it was felt that the team needed more.What if the team has held that answer all along? In early April, reports came out that the Broncos were looking to move outside linebacker Jonah…
This excerpt is published under fair use for community discussion. Read the full article at Yahoo Sports.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Yahoo Sports
