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Denver Broncos post-free agency Mock Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: Julian Huff #20 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers pushes Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes out of bounds during the second quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: Julian Huff #20 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers pushes Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes out of bounds during the second quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 01: Ryan Finley #15 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack drops back to pass against the James Madison Dukes during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 24-13. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 01: Ryan Finley #15 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack drops back to pass against the James Madison Dukes during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 24-13. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Fourth round: Ryan Finley, QB, North Carolina State

For the second straight year, the Broncos get a captain from the North Carolina State program.

This time, they take the quarterback from the Wolfpack, Ryan Finley.

I could see the Broncos taking a quarterback as high as round two in this draft if they love someone like Will Grier enough to do it. They could also look at Jarrett Stidham from Auburn.

The fourth round could be the sweet spot, because you still use the top three picks to get guys who can help you immediately in this scenario.

Finley has improved over the past three years, if only marginally, and will have flashes of brilliance mixed in with maddeningly bland play.

There’s nothing overly spectacular about Finley, which is why he’s not being talked about as a first-round player, but when you watch him play, it’s clear he has a chance to become a decent starter in the NFL with a floor of a high-end backup quarterback.

Every team needs that, and more teams should be prioritizing it in the NFL Draft. You never know what can come of a pick like this. Look at Kirk Cousins.

Finley may not become a Cousins type of player, but he could work well within an offense built around the quarterback rather than one that is dependent on the quarterback.

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