Analyzing the Broncos 7-round mock draft from The Draft Network

The Denver Broncos could do a lot worse than this seven-round mock draft scenario from The Draft Network. How did they improve the roster?

Another day, another Denver Broncos mock draft scenario to consider. How is this team going to attack the 2020 NFL Draft with the idea in mind that Drew Lock is the team’s future at the quarterback position?

That question alone makes the process of mocking the draft that much more fun.

The folks over at The Draft Network have put together a seven-round mock draft for the Broncos that I think pretty much every fan in Broncos Country could get on board with.

This speaks to their understanding of the team’s needs, how to prioritize them given this particular draft class, and what prospects could be good value for Denver, not just shoving positions into a draft slot.

Let’s recap these nine picks. Keep in mind, right now TDN does not account for projected compensatory picks. Mock drafts will change quite a bit when those are awarded to teams.

1. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

I love this top pick for the Broncos. Thomas has widely been considered the possible OT1 in this draft class up until recently when other players like Jedrick Wills of Alabama joined the mix, but I like Thomas because I feel that not only could he be a good left tackle in the NFL, he could also start right away at guard.

I talked at length about what the Broncos’ draft strategy on the offensive line should be here.

2. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

I’ve seen Brandon Aiyuk in the first round of so many mock drafts at this point that when I see him pop up in the draft machine on TDN’s website, I just intentionally pass him up thinking he won’t be there.

Well, what if he is? This would be a tremendous pick and honestly, you’d be hard pressed to find a better combination of the top two picks for the Broncos than this one. I’m of the opinion that the top two picks should be offensive line and wide receiver, and Aiyuk is a physical player with speed and strength at the catch point who could be ideal for Denver.

3a. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

Bryce Hall’s ball production as a junior at Virginia was so good, I couldn’t believe he stayed in college for his senior season.

It turns out his draft stock was negatively affected and he lasts to the third round here. This is the point of the draft where I’m okay with the Broncos beginning to pull the trigger on corners, and Hall is a good one.

He had 21 pass breakups as a junior and only played six games this past season due to injury. I’d consider him somewhat of a steal right here.

3b. Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

Again, this is just a really good value pick. I thought Harrison put together an outstanding career with the Buckeyes and capped it off with a huge senior campaign in which he racked up 75 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and four pass breakups.

If the Broncos do not sign a linebacker in free agency and instead keep Todd Davis, I’d be thrilled with this pick.

3c. Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State

Back-to-back Buckeyes and I like this pick a lot here. Hamilton was a productive four year player for Ohio State but had a breakout senior season which included 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.

He would re-join obviously Harrison but also Dre’Mont Jones along the Denver offensive line. He’s also a tank at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds.

4a. Jalen Elliott, S, Notre Dame 

Jalen Elliott makes it four straight picks on the defensive side of the ball, which I’m not entirely opposed to but not a huge fan of either.

But we’re evaluating the players picked here and I like this player. He was a winner from the week of Senior Bowl practices and is a big hitter who would work well in the Broncos’ zone defense. He had six interceptions over the last two seasons for Notre Dame.

4b. Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State

I love the idea of getting multiple offensive linemen, so I love this pick for that reason. Ismael is a player I’ve 6yet to personally scout but he was an All-Mountain West performer who has played every position on the interior offensive line.

That helps his draft positioning tremendously.

6. Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State

Very productive college player for the Spartans, Willekes certainly has the type of production at the college level you look for.

With 228 career tackles, 49 tackles for loss, and 23.5 career sacks, Willekes would have my blessing at this juncture of the draft based on his production alone. You can never have too many good pass rushers.

7. Adrian Killins Jr., RB, UCF

Killins is a small running back but my goodness is he fast. At 5-foot-8, 164 pounds, Killins reportedly ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. At that size, he will need that kind of speed to make it in the NFL but this guy is a fun highlight reel type of player who would be an excellent flyer at this point in the NFL Draft.

Overall thoughts

I find it really hard to complain about this draft class. There are so many solid picks, but how will free agency affect it? Will it affect this kind of direction at all?

This could just as easily be pitched as a ‘best player available’ type of class.

I do not like that there is only one wide receiver pick, but that would truthfully be my only complaint about it. I like the variety they have here, they took two offensive linemen, and they managed to get good value in all of the rounds.

I would swap out the safety pick for a receiver and call it a day.