Denver Broncos mock draft: Building to the future

In this mock, the Denver Broncos keep their love for the Big Ten alive. They drafted Josey Jewell from the University of Iowa and they keep the same theme going in this version. Only this time they bring in a player to consume the edge.

Anthony Nelson brings a very high motor that would fit nicely with the depth on the defensive line. Nelson is not a flashy player, but his athleticism is very underrated.

Nelson presents is a strong set of hands. The majority of the time he pushes the pile with strong initial contact, but keeping that leverage is tricky. However, he has a bull rush that will knock people off their feet. Rather than pure speed, Nelson offers power. That said, his second gear is better than people give him credit for.

One of the A-plus traits of Hawkeyes and Big Ten is that they are coachable. Nelson can be a solid NFL player with a good defensive line coach. It just so happens Denver has one of the best in the business in Bill Kollar.

With this type of pick, do not be surprised if Nelson finds himself on the 53-man roster. There is clear talent to work with in Nelson. His tremendous length and hands are huge pluses for pass rushers. He must find ways to take better angles to get a free lane to a quarterback, but he can get there with time.