Wednesday 24 April 2019

Denver Broncos - 7 Round Mock Draft

Broncos’ Needs: The Broncos have eight picks in the 2019 draft. Their biggest needs after free agency, where they strengthened their secondary, QB position and offensive line are:

  • Quarterback (franchise QB for future)
  • Wide receiver
  • Tight end
  • Offensive line (they have Ja'wuan James as a tackle, they need a guard)
  • Linebacker (especially interior linebackers)

From these options, they are in dire need of a QB, ILB and an OG. Their WR and TE depth is fine right now, but if someone is available in later rounds of the draft, why not?

My Broncos Mock Draft:

Round 1 - 10th overall: Devin White, ILB, LSU: He would fit in very nicely with Vic Fangio’s defensive-minded schemes. The Broncos already have great pass rushers, a new and revamped secondary and a great defensive line, with the likes of Derek Wolfe. He’s a strong, athletic, blue-chip prospect who is good in coverage, on the run and can also rush the passer. With him, the Broncos can go back to a top 5 defence with a great linebacker core, a great secondary and a solid defensive line.

Round 2 - 41st overall: Eric McCoy, OG, Texas A&M: I was considering the Broncos would trade up for Duke QB Daniel Jones, but that would mean we’d have to trade up to the middle of the first round, or at least before the Redskins take him at 17 in my mock draft and we’d likely give up a second and/or a third round pick and a high pick next year. The QB selection in next year’s draft is better anyway, so I predict the Broncos will get an interior offensive lineman, a very skilled one at that, like Eric McCoy to protect Joe Flacco.

Round 3 - 71st overall: Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State: After adding 50 pounds since high school, he has become an elite pass blocker and he can pack a punch. His large, toned frame helps with that. He also has an amazing ability to run routes, he is quick off the line of scrimmage and has good hands.

Round 4 - 125th overall: Ryan Finley, QB, North Carolina State: The QB class will be stellar next year and the Broncos may or may not be looking into one. For now, though, they have Joe Flacco as a bridge QB for a few seasons while Finley develops. Finley is very tall at 6’4”, which is what John Elway likes, he has a strong arm and can thread the needle on tight windows, he reads the field quickly and can recognize coverages and create and change pre-snap plans. He is also really good at using his eyes to bait defenders, calm in the pocket and good on the run. He is lanky and can use more muscle, his game managing skills are average, he has an average release and he is below average under pressure, which leads to red zone interceptions, but all of which can be fixed. The Broncos have had trouble with QBs, they’ll try him out and if it doesn’t work, they’ll try again in 2020.

Round 5 - 148th overall: Cory Ballentine, CB, Washburn: The Broncos have added Bryce Callahan and Kareem Jackson as cornerbacks after losing Bradley Roby and a very injury riddled Tramaine Brock in free agency. They also have safety Will Parks and CB Justin Simmons, who may convert to safety after the Broncos lost a longtime member of the “No Fly Zone” Darian Stewart in free agency. It may not be the biggest position of need, but the more the merrier. After all, defence wins championships.

Round 5 - 156th overall: Stanley Morgan Jr., WR, Nebraska: Morgan has good short-area quickness, competitiveness, experience, route-running precision and positional versatility (able to line up outside or inside). The only con is that Stanley Morgan Jr. is that he is very similar to Daesean Hamilton, a fourth-round pick in 2018. But Morgan Jr. and the Broncos met at the Senior Bowl and this connection makes sense. Picking up a very quick and versatile WR this late in the draft is a steal and will be a nice piece to the Broncos’ current receiving core.

Round 6 - 182nd overall: Will Harris, S, Boston College: I was looking at a few other safeties, that wouldn’t be gone in the first three or four rounds, particularly USC’s very own Marvell Tell, but his injury issues and lack of durability is a concern for me. Will Harris is an average height for safeties at 6’1’’, has a big build at 207 lbs, impressive for his height, is fast and can cover wide receivers and tight ends. He didn’t have the best of seasons two years ago, but last year’s season was enough to make his stock rise. He’d help the Broncos, who lost Darian Stewart.

Round 7 - 237th overall: Austin Bryant, Edge, Clemson: In a team with a defensive minded head coach in Vic Fangio and an already dominant defense all around, especially in the pass rushing department with a double-headed monster in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, adding a quick and very agile edge rusher like Austin Bryant would be worth it, especially if he falls to this point in the draft.

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