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NFL Network analysts predict Denver Broncos get OL upgrade

By Sayre Bedinger

Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA;Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) carries the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) and Auburn Tigers linebacker Tre' Williams (30) in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA;Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) carries the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) and Auburn Tigers linebacker Tre' Williams (30) in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Network draft gurus Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah predicted the Denver Broncos would upgrade the OL with their top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft…

It’s no secret that the Denver Broncos will be upgrading their offensive line in the 2017 NFL Draft. It’s also not surprising to see NFL Draft analysts and experts predicting John Elway will use his top selection on an offensive tackle.

During a mock draft on NFL Network, experts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks predicted the Denver Broncos would upgrade their offensive line in the form of Western Kentucky star Forrest Lamp, considered by some to be the best overall blocker in the entire draft.

With the way NFL teams seem so desperate for help at the tackle position, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Lamp gone well before the Broncos are even on the clock. If he is still on the board, it seems like it would be a no-brainer for John Elway to pull the trigger.

Pro Football Focus has graded Lamp as one of the best offensive linemen in all of college football over the last three seasons, and despite questions about what position he’d play at the next level, Lamp looks like he can definitely play tackle in the NFL as well.

"Lamp has three years of strong grading at left tackle, but he’ll likely move to the interior at the next level. An NFL team will likely look to emulate the recent success of tackle-to-guard transitions like Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys and Brandon Scherff of the Washington Redskins, though given the weak offensive tackle play around the league, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to give Lamp an opportunity there first before kicking him inside. Lamp wins more than he loses, and demonstrates the power and athleticism to be a good NFL lineman."

Perhaps the Broncos could select Lamp in the first round, start him at left tackle his rookie season, and draft someone like Bucknell’s Julién Davenport later on to eventually play left tackle, and move Lamp to guard.

Here’s what I wrote about Lamp over at NFLMocks.com back in January:

"Lamp won’t be the most thrilling first round pick for a team, but he will be about as ‘sure’ of a sure thing as you can find. He’s proven he can be productive and play at an elite level for a long period of time. He already looks ready to start in the NFL without any major tweaks to his game, and I believe he could easily make a position switch upon being drafted.This is a phenomenal offensive line prospect who won’t get the headlines on draft night, but he’ll be a major asset to whatever team drafts him from the time he steps foot at their facility."

The Denver Broncos could do a lot worse than this kid in the first round.

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