The Denver Broncos could be looking at a wide receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but odds are it won't be this one.
Recently, Field Yates of ESPN published his most recent 2026 mock draft and with the last pick in the first round, he has the Broncos taking Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell. However, that prediction likely won't come true.
"For the second straight offseason, there might not be a roster with fewer glaring needs than the Broncos, who are currently on a 10-game winning streak with second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Is another wide receiver a must? No, but it couldn't hurt to have another inexpensive option behind Courtland Sutton. At 6-2, 220 pounds, Bell has some of the best size of any of the touted receivers in this class. He was scorching hot in the first six games of this season, with six touchdowns and three 100-plus-yard games. He did not score or reach 80 yards in any of his final six games of the regular season, but he still displayed uncommon power and burst for a player of his stature", wrote Yates.
It was reported on Wednesday night that Bell suffered a torn ACL on November 22, throwing his draft status into limbo but almost assuredly knocking him out of the first round.
Hate to see this news for Chris Bell, who went 32 in my mock draft this morning. Such a talented player. Https://t.co/bvM2L9dm1O
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 11, 2025
The Broncos could still opt for a receiver in the first round of next year's draft, but the team has several young contributors in Marvin Mims Jr. And Troy Franklin. This year's third-round pick, Pat Bryant, is beginning to emerge as an option for Bo Nix as well, catching 12 passes over his last three games after catching only 10 across his first 10 games.
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If the Broncos are at the bottom of the first round and are looking at wide receivers, some viable potential options could be Denzel Boston out of Washington, Chris Brazzell II of Tennessee, KC Concepcion of Texas A&M or Elijah Surratt from Indiana.
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