The 2025 NFL Draft was supposed to be a turning point for the Denver Broncos—a chance to address glaring needs and lay the foundation for a comeback. Instead, critics are calling it a missed opportunity, and some believe the franchise may be heading for yet another painful rebuild.
Despite entering the draft with multiple holes to fill—particularly at quarterback, offensive line, and pass rush—the Broncos raised eyebrows with a series of selections that many analysts described as “safe,” “short-sighted,” or simply “confusing.” The first-round pick of cornerback Jahdae Barron was met with skepticism, as was the failure to aggressively pursue a top-tier QB prospect.
“This draft felt like a team trying to plug gaps, not build for the future,” said one AFC scout. “They passed on foundational talent and instead reached for positional fits.”
Denver’s current roster is a mix of aging veterans and young, unproven talent. With no clear long-term answer under center and a defense that has lost its former bite, the organization now faces growing concerns that it’s drifting without a clear direction.
Fans have taken to social media to voice frustrations, accusing the front office of lacking urgency and vision. “We’ve been ‘retooling’ for almost a decade,” one fan tweeted. “At what point do we admit it’s a rebuild?”
Head coach Sean Payton, now in his second season, remains publicly optimistic, stating: “We’re building smart, not fast. This draft added versatility and depth. We’re not chasing headlines—we’re building a team.”
But as the rest of the AFC West gets stronger, the Broncos’ conservative approach may leave them lagging behind. Unless their recent picks exceed expectations, Denver may once again find itself back at square one—rebuilding a broken blueprint.
