Head honcho here at predominantly orange, Sayre Bedinger, wrote up an excellent mock draft (here). It’s a well researched mock and well worth the read.
However as we all know, mock drafts (especially those done pre-combine) are like throwing darts blindfolded, but we also know that throwing darts blindfolded could be a lot of fun, so here’s another 7-round mock draft with other options.
For the sake of consistency I will use the same compensatory picks that Sayre assigned to the Broncos.
Without further ado…
Round 1- Cameron Erving – OT, OG, C – Florida St
Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Cameron Erving (75) gestures during the second half of the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Erving is an intriguing prospect who the Broncos would do well to get. The Broncos have long valued versatile
players capable of playing many positions. Erving is just that player, and a very good one on top of that. He played LT at Florida State and due to injuries and circumstance was forced to move to Center where he excelled. He played so well at Center that Jimbo Fisher quickly made the move permanent. Erving could be capable of playing Tackle, Guard or Center, with him currently being viewed as the top center available in the draft.
As far as the Broncos are concerned, the offensive line a is a big area of need with Center arguably the biggest weakness. The O-Line will certainly be addressed through both free agency and the draft. However, even if the Broncos address some of the holes along the line through free agency, the unit is lacking in quality youth and depth. The Broncos should consider several new and young bodies along the offensive front and Erving would be a fantastic addition to the unit.
Round 2 – Tre Jackson – OG – Forida St.
The Broncos could go back to back offensive linemen from Florida St. to shore up a big area of concern. It would be unusual to draft two offensive linemen from the same school in the first two rounds, but both Erving and Jackson are top-flight offensive linemen and Florida St. enjoyed an embarrassment of riches last year on the offensive line. Mel Kiper currently projects Jackson as the #2 overall prospect at Offensive Guard and the Broncos could immediately use his help at LG where they will certainly be looking for a new starter.
Manning seems almost certain to come back for one more season and it will be the Broncos utmost priority to protect him. However, beyond this year the Broncos need a big infusion of youth and talent all along the offensive line. With Brock Osweiller (or another untested QB) taking over for Manning, the best thing the Broncos could do to help that transition is to build a formidable O-line. The Broncos would be wise to bolster the unit with back to back picks to start the draft and shore up the biggest weakness on the team for years to come.
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Round 3 – Anthony Harris – S – Virgina
The Broncos might let Rahim Moore test free agency, and if that is the case he will more than likely be on his way out. This would leave the Broncos with a need at Safety and Anthony Harris would be an intriguing prospect to fill it. Harris lead the nation in interceptions in 2013 (his junior year) and then followed that up with a very solid senior year. He has very good coverage skills and is a ball hawk. He would provide the Broncos with big play potential from the safety spot and his skill set would be perfectly complementary with the hard hitting TJ Ward.
Round 4 (compensatory pick) – Ben Koyack – Notre Dame – TE
Koyack just seems like a perfect Gary Kubiak TE. He’s a big target with good hands in the mold of an Owen Daniels (who the Broncos could also bring in). He would be a reliable target for Manning and whoever takes over for him for years to come. It seems increasingly likely that Julius Thomas is on his way out so the Broncos need added depth at the position. Koyack was somewhat underutilized at Notre Dame, but was the 1st string starter for only 1 season so he has room to grow and already shows the ability to be a reliable, consistent target.
Round 5 (from the Bears) – Ty Montgomery – WR – Stanford
WR may not seem like an area of need for the Broncos since they drafted Cody Latimer early in last year’s draft. However, Wes Welker’s career with the Broncos could very well be done and Andre Caldwell is likely a cap casualty. However, the biggest contribution Ty Montgomery would make to the Broncos is his special teams prowess.
Nov 15, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7) gains a first down during the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Stanford Stadium. Utah won 20-17 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Montgomery may not last till the 5th round, but inconsistent hands may cause him to drop, and if he does then the Broncos should pounce. The Broncos have been searching endlessly for a return ace and have been unable to land anybody of significance (despite the promise Trindon Holliday showed before fumbling his way out of Denver). Ty Montgomery is electric with the ball in his hands and would be a significant addition as a special teams ace, as well as a dynamic, specialty 4th receiver to complement Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Latimer. It doesn’t hurt that he went to Elway’s alma mater either.
Round 5 – Jake Ryan – ILB/OLB – Michigan
The Broncos have need for depth at LB despite having very good players in Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan and others. Trevathan was hurt for most of last year and Marshall missed stints as well.
Besides adding a player at a position of need, Jake Ryan is a player with an attitude that every team is looking for. He plays and prepares with fire and dedication. He is a tenacious defender who throws himself around with reckless abandon to make plays and will not quit. He is scheme versatile and can play inside or outside backer. He is known to be a film junkie and will give the team every ounce of effort and preparation he can. He is a very good run defender, but most importantly in a Wade Phillips defense he has great speed and has great timing on blitzes. He would be a great situational LB who could provide the Broncos with excellent depth and added aggressiveness.
Round 6 – Terry Williams – DT – East Carolina
Terry Williams would be a nice get for the Broncos late in the draft. He is a true NT in a 3-4 system and has the girth to hold up coming in at 350lbs. He consistently provided problems for opposing offenses with his inordinate quickness for a man of his size. He didn’t get a combine invite, so there is a decent chance he will be available to the Broncos in the 6th round. Williams would provide depth should the Broncos fail to re-sign Terrance Knighton, but would be a nice addition either way considering the switch the Broncos will be making to the 3-4.
Round 6 (Compensatory pick) – Tony Washington – DE/OLB – Oregon
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) is pressured by Oregon Ducks linebacker Tony Washington (91) during the third quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Washington is a perfect late round pick. He’s got a lot of athleticism and looks the part for a blitzing OLB in a 3-4,
but he needs work in technique and needs to learn how to better utilize his athleticism so it translates to results on the field. The Broncos have an excellent duo from which Washington can learn and emulate in Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. Denver would be an ideal landing place for Washington with their upcoming switch to 3-4 and two great players who do what he does to learn from. The Broncos meanwhile could groom him to replace Ware when his contract ends.
Round 6 (Compensatory pick) – Eric Lefeld – OT – Cincinnati
You can’t have enough offensive linemen and the Broncos could use the compensatory picks they will likely be receiving to supplement their O-Line depth. Lefeld is one of the best Offensive lineman in Cincinnati Bearcat history and is a very good athlete for an O-Lineman. He has the ability to play RT in the NFL, but he needs some further development. He would be a great project for the Broncos since he has the physical tools to be a potential starting RT in the NFL.
Round 7 (Compensatory pick) – Cody Fajardo – QB – Nevada
Elway loves his QB’s and I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a flyer late on another one. If the Broncos choose to go the QB route, Fajardo would be a good fit into a Gary Kubiak offense. Kubiak loves to get his QB’s on the move with play action, roll-outs, etc… and Fajardo is very dangerous with his legs and can throw accurately on the move. He certainly needs development, which is why he’s a late draft pick, but he possesses a nice set of tools and athleticism that could work well in a Kubiak offense. He would be well worth the late round flyer.
What do you think? Would you be upset if they Broncos lead the draft with back to back O-Line picks? Did I miss a position of need? Let us know what you think in the comment section.