ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos’ draft hardly moved the excitable needle through the first two days and three rounds of the NFL Draft this week. But on Day 3, Denver made a concerted push to give quarterback Bo Nix the kind of support that could reshape the offense for years to come.
With the 108th overall pick in the fourth round, the Broncos selected Washington running back Jonah Coleman. Three picks later, at No. 111, they added Boise State offensive tackle Kage Casey. The two selections, combined with the earlier pick of tight end Justin Joly, represent a clear message from general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton: The offense needed more juice, and they went out to get it.
“There you go, Bo,” wrote Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, capturing the sentiment of a fan base that had watched the Broncos address defense and special teams in the first three rounds.
Coleman, a 5-foot-9, 215-pound back who transferred from UCLA to Washington for his final season, brings an explosive, one-cut style that fits perfectly in Payton’s zone-running scheme. He rushed for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Huskies in 2025, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. But it wasn’t just the production that caught Denver’s eye — it was the confidence.
In a video that surfaced after the draft, Coleman is seen telling a friend that he knew the Broncos would take him.
“I called my shot,” Coleman told reporters Saturday. “I had a formal interview with them at the combine, and we just clicked. I felt like I was going to be a Bronco.”
That kind of self-assurance is exactly what Payton looks for in his backs. The Broncos have a crowded backfield — Javonte Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract, Samaje Perine remains a reliable third-down option, and 2025 fifth-round pick Audric Estime showed flashes as a rookie. But Coleman’s explosiveness and ability to create yards after contact give Denver a different dimension.
“He’s a violent runner,” said one AFC scout who evaluated Coleman. “He runs with a low pad level and finishes every run like it’s his last. That’s the kind of mentality Payton wants in his backfield.”
Casey, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle who started 24 games over the past two seasons at Boise State. He was a second-team All-Mountain West selection in 2025 and impressed scouts with his footwork and ability to mirror pass rushers.
“He’s got the length and the athleticism to play either tackle spot,” said Broncos offensive line coach Zach Strief. “We think he can compete for a starting job right away.”
That’s good news for a Broncos offensive line that was solid in 2025 but could use an injection of youth. Left tackle Garett Bolles, 32, is coming off a strong season but is entering the final year of his contract. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, signed to a five-year, $87.5 million deal in 2023, has been steady but not spectacular. Casey projects as a swing tackle initially, with the potential to develop into a long-term starter.
“The Broncos have fortified their offensive line with their second Day 3 selection of the 2026 NFL Draft,” the team’s official website noted.
The two picks, combined with the selection of tight end Justin Joly earlier in the fourth round, give Nix a trio of new weapons. Joly, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end from NC State, is a versatile player who can line up inline or in the slot. He caught 48 passes for 612 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.
“We’re giving Bo everything he needs to succeed,” Payton said after Day 3. “We’ve got a young quarterback, and we need to surround him with the right pieces. I think we did that today.”
The Broncos closed out the 2026 NFL Draft by making the final two selections of the day, including picking Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock as “Mr. Irrelevant.” But the real story of Day 3 was the offensive infusion.
For a team that finished 8-9 in 2025 and missed the playoffs, the margin for error is thin. The Broncos have a young quarterback, a talented defense, and a coaching staff that is under pressure to deliver results. The additions of Coleman, Casey, and Joly won’t make headlines like a first-round pick would, but they could be the kind of value selections that turn a roster from good to great.
“I’m just ready to get to work,” Coleman said. “I know what I can do. Now it’s time to show everyone else.”
If his confidence is any indication, the Broncos may have found a steal in the fourth round. And with Casey providing depth and competition on the offensive line, Denver’s offense looks a little more dangerous than it did 24 hours ago.