SB Nation NFL mock draft: Broncos trade up with Bears to get top RB at No. 10
Our mock GM Scotty Payne couldn’t resist the opportunity to swap picks and get his guy.
WE HAVE OUR FIRST TRADE!
The Denver Broncos have traded up into the top 10 with the Chicago Bears. Is it maybe because a certain crazy-productive running back has managed to fall a bit further than expected?
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Denver has a number of notable players across their roster. One area they could always stand to improve is the skill positions around budding star Bo Nix, most notably the running back spot following Javonte Williams signing with the Cowboys in free agency. Now, the group is led by Jaleel McLaughlin and 2024 draft pick Audric Estime.
Sure sounds like Denver wants a new running back to pair with Nix, and if you guessed that to be the pick, then congrats. You did it. Round of applause.
With the 10th pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft, Scotty Payne of Mile High Report has selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
10.) Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Payne: Jeanty is a dream pick for the Broncos and I could not pass up the opportunity to move up and select him. He would give Sean Payton the ‘Joker’ he is looking for at RB while giving QB Bo Nix the running game he was lacking last season. I think Jeanty can be an All-Pro player his rookie season for the Broncos and help their offense take that next step and challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West title this upcoming season.
Analysis: A lot of mock drafts recently have paired Jeanty with the Raiders. Las Vegas could sorely use a talent like him to pair with new quarterback Geno, Smith but he ends up coming off the board at 10 where Denver couldn’t pass up the chance to draft the falling blue-chipper. This is just a great pick all around by the Broncos for seizing the moment and realizing they might not get a better chance to give their young quarterback an elite rushing talent that he can lean on when he’s not at the top of his game.
Top five remaining players:
- Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
- Malaki Starks, S Georgia
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
- Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The top running back is finally off the board as we exit the top 10 picks of the draft. CB1, TE1, and SAF1 are all still available, along with tons of elite talent at various other positions. The 49ers are up next and following their mass exodus of players through this year’s free agency period, it will be interesting to see which position they focus on to kickstart a bit of a retooling phase in San Francisco. Kyle Shanahan has always appreciated good play in the trenches. Could he end up taking Trent Williams’ eventual replacement? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out!