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Denver Broncos three-round 2017 NFL Mock Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) looks on in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) looks on in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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SECOND ROUND

Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson (67) celebrates after a fumble recovery during the second half of the game at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson (67) celebrates after a fumble recovery during the second half of the game at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensively, it’s hard to peg a ton of needs for the Broncos. One area you could point to directly is right up the middle, where the Broncos just haven’t been quite as strong this year as they were last year.

Sylvester Williams is coming up on a contract year, and with Vance Walker projected to return from injury, the Broncos’ top need on this side of the ball could be right down the pipe.

Enter Jaleel Johnson, a breakthrough defensive lineman for the Iowa Hawkeyes that has flashed the ability to dominate a game at times. He has quickness off the snap, makes plays in the backfield, can clog running lanes, and can get after the quarterback.

He has the ability to be a three-down player at the next level, and that will be essential for being successful in Wade Phillips’ defense.

I really like Johnson’s potential at the next level, and the combination of defensive line coach Bill Kollar and Wade Phillips could be just the right one to extract the very best out of him.

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