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Denver Broncos draft thoughts: Trading up and projecting needs

By Sayre Bedinger

Jan 24, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; Denver Broncos former quarterback and current executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway (right) looks on during Senior Bowl north squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; Denver Broncos former quarterback and current executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway (right) looks on during Senior Bowl north squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading up in the draft isn’t all that far-fetched for the Broncos. They have traded up in the first round each of the last two drafts to take advantage of the fall of prospects Shane Ray (edge defender) and Paxton Lynch (quarterback).

Those, to me, are arguably two of the most important positions in the NFL today. We’ve seen the impact of great quarterback play and great pass rush in each of the last two Super Bowl champions.

What’s the next most important area to address?

For the Broncos, it’s clearly along the offensive and defensive line. There are players on the free agent market that will best fill those particular needs for this team.

With Vance Joseph’s comments about addressing the primary needs in free agency, it’s reasonable to assume the Broncos will enter the draft season with a significantly upgraded offensive line, featuring at least two or three new starters.

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    • It’s also reasonable to assume the Broncos will use some free agent assets on strengthening their run defense, which could mean going after one of the top fish in the free agent pool, Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell. It could also mean that the Broncos will pursue a number of ‘bargain priced’ free agent linemen, like Earl Mitchell and possibly re-signing Vance Walker.

    Whatever the case, the Broncos don’t have too many needs in free agency that they won’t be able to make a bold move on draft weekend if there are players they feel can make a significant impact right away in 2017.

    For me, there are a couple of players that will fit that description. The first is Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, who is the 9th ranked player on my overall board for the 2017 Draft. Howard has proven capable of being a dominant force in the passing game, and he’s also a very consistent, very skilled blocker.

    Transitioning to tight end in the NFL isn’t as easy as many may think, especially for young players who have to know every blocking assignment and also every route. That’s where Howard’s versatility and experience in a run-oriented offense come into play. The Broncos have some talented young tight ends, but getting a playmaker like Howard who could be an elite third option in the passing game should be a prime consideration for the front office, no matter the cost.

    Other players that would be worth trading up for would include Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, LSU running back Leonard Fournette, and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey.

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