Denver Broncos: Imagining life with a top-five pick in 2020
The Denver Broncos currently hold the 15th pick in the first round in April’s draft. What would happen if they had a top-5 pick?
There is a lot of talent at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft that the Denver Broncos could certainly use. Unfortunately, with their current draft position, they are going to miss out on some valuable guys.
Here is what we know: if the Cincinnati Bengals stay put with the first overall pick, LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow is basically guaranteed to be that selection (you never know if there is going to be a curveball thrown). Burrow is the best quarterback—and maybe overall player—in this year’s draft.
Ohio State defensive end Chase Young is another player that would not be in reach for Denver, no matter how much they hope and pray.
You also have to think about overall team needs. Among the needs of the Broncos are wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive tackle.
Do you hear that money sound? Cha-ching!
With Chris Harris Jr. expected to leave via free agency, cornerback is at the top of the priority list. If the Broncos had a top five selection, I fully believe their pick would be Jeff Okudah of Ohio State. He is by far the best cornerback in this year’s draft and would help re-create the No Fly Zone.
The Denver Broncos need help at the tackle position and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas would definitely be worth trading up for if they wanted. He might be gone by the time the Broncos are on the clock.
The same is true of Tristan Wirfs, another solid tackle in this year’s draft.
Thomas has great athleticism and would help solve the team’s tackle problems. In 2019, he allowed just one sack in the entire year.
If the Broncos were able to draft either tackle, it would spell the eventual doom of Garett Bolles, which might actually be a good thing. Despite these guys expected to be off the board, the Broncos could still come out of the first round with a great player.
Other players the Broncos would be able to select are Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, and Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy would be another great addition to a wide receiver room that already has a star in Courtland Sutton.
Denver really needs a receiver across from Sutton and have often been mocked to select two pass catchers this year.
There are expected to be a couple of quarterbacks taken high in this year’s draft but the Broncos already have Drew Lock and won’t be looking at any of them. This means that there is potential that a player they really like will slide to them.
If there was one player worth trading up for—no matter how much it takes—it would be Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who can play a ton of positions on defense. If you want a safety, you got one in him. If you need a defensive end, there you go. Linebacker? Yep.
In fact, here is his snap breakdown by position from 2019:
Defensive line: 106
In the box: 239
Slot cornerback: 256
Wide cornerback: 7
Deep safety: 130
Next. Broncos 2020 free agent target: WR Robby Anderson. dark
It would be awesome if the Broncos were in position to trade all the way up in the top five of the draft, but as they sit all the way at 15, I don’t see that happening even if they desperately wanted to. It’s nice to imagine though, and you never know when one of these players might fall into their laps…