The Denver Broncos landed the best pass protector in this year’s draft in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft for NFL.com.
‘Tis the season for mock drafts, right? There are so many scenarios for the Denver Broncos to explore between now and the end of April, and we’re going to have you covered in that regard.
In my latest seven-round Broncos mock draft, I have them taking an inside linebacker in the first round.
Staff writer Cameron Parker has the Broncos taking a quarterback of the future to sit behind Joe Flacco.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com is just a little bit more plugged in than Cameron and I, and he put together a fascinating first-round projection for April’s draft, less than a week ahead of the start of free agency.
For the Broncos, DJ predicts an offensive lineman. Specifically, he thinks the Broncos will take Washington State’s ultra-athletic Andre Dillard.
"“Dillard would address a major need for the Broncos and would excel under the tutelage of new O-line coach Mike Munchak.”Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com"
Dillard makes a ton of sense for the Broncos if he can move over to the right tackle spot, or if the Broncos feel like Garett Bolles can move over to right tackle.
It might seem like an inconvenience to bring in an offensive tackle through the first round just two years after drafting Bolles, but the Broncos need to keep their options open especially because the offensive tackle position presents such a strong value in the top 10 of the NFL Draft.
The right tackle position is not as diminished in importance as it once was because teams have great rushers on both sides of the line. The Broncos have struggled to find a solution at right tackle for years, and Bolles has only proven to be an adequate and mistake-prone left tackle in his first two years.
Dillard is a smart player, extremely athletic, a four-year starter, high character, and very smooth.
Jeremiah has previously labeled him the best pass protector in this year’s draft class, and watching him play, it’s hard to disagree.
The idea of the Broncos drafting a tackle at pick no. 10 overall is something I’m becoming more and more on board with. As Vic Fangio said, this team is not in a position to reach for a need. No matter what the Broncos do in free agency, unless they pay big money for a right tackle, this position should be a consideration when they get to the 2019 Draft.
I’m sure John Elway is not going to want to go into the Draft without a solution at right tackle, but if the Broncos opt to re-sign Matt Paradis at center, drafting Dillard would give them a very solid starting five up front and for the foreseeable future, at that.
Though DJ has the Broncos passing on fan-favorite Devin White, a linebacker out of LSU, Dillard would be a massive upgrade and long-term fix on the offensive line at a position of desperate need.