Denver Broncos 2017 NFL Draft Primer

Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of operations John Elway speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of operations John Elway speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

This year’s draft class is deepest at running back, tight end, defensive line, and defensive back. The Broncos will undoubtedly look to exploit that depth, but the order in which they will exploit it remains to be seen.

Depending on how the first round shakes out, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Broncos use their top four picks in the first three rounds on a running back, tight end, offensive tackle, and defensive back.

I don’t know what the Broncos’ board looks like, but the ideal scenario would be to land a top playmaker in round one, and see how the board falls in round two. The Broncos can afford to also move back into the first round a second time if they want to do that.

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It wouldn’t be the worst idea, and Elway has certainly been known to pull off a trade or two in his time. In fact, he’s traded up in each of the last two drafts. Elway has also traded out of the first round completely, and while I don’t see that as overly likely, there’s a possibility he could look to do that to accumulate picks in this year’s draft, and basically pick and choose when he wants to select by working the phones and wheeling and dealing.

One thing is certain — the Broncos are going to get a lot better in the draft, and a roster that already looks playoff ready is going to get a jolt of young talent that can help right away and well into the future.