Denver Broncos 7-round mock draft: Trading up for a playmaker

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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John Elway, Denver Broncos
ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 24: John Elway President of Football Operations/General Manager for the Denver Broncos walks to the field for warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Denver 20-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos could be poised to make a leap up the 2020 NFL Draft order for a playmaker at wide receiver. We explore the possibility in this mock.

With just one week until the 2020 NFL Draft, what does John Elway have up his sleeve?

The Broncos have been aggressive in the 2020 offseason, making trades and moves in free agency to upgrade the roster and replace some key losses, but they’ve left some obvious holes for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Specifically, the Broncos have to address wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive line in this draft, and they will likely explore upgrades at linebacker and safety as well.

This draft class is extremely deep at wide receiver, it has a lot of potential first-round offensive tackles, and there are cornerbacks to be had from day one to day three.

No one knows at this point how the Broncos will prioritize their top needs, but the latest rumors have been indicating that Elway and company could have a substantial interest in trading up from the 15th overall spot.

Specifically, a number of rumors have implied that the Broncos would be interested in trading up for a wide receiver, and the Cleveland Browns (10th overall) have been identified as a potentially willing suitor.

If the Browns are really interested in moving back from the 10th overall pick, the Broncos would probably love to move up for the right price.

That last piece is key.

John Elway has moved up twice in the first round of the NFL Draft.

In 2016, he traded a third-round pick to move up at the back end of the first round to take quarterback Paxton Lynch. In 2015, they traded two fifth-round picks and offensive lineman Manny Ramirez to the Detroit Lions to move from the 28th pick to the 23rd pick for Shane Ray.

But that’s it.

Those are the only two times John Elway has traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Will he do it again?

The Broncos have four picks on day two of the draft and 10 picks total. They may not be keeping 10 rookies in 2020 but they also would certainly have room for five top 100 picks.

If Elway is going to move one of his top 100 picks and other assets for the chance at a top wide receiver, how could the draft go for Denver?

Let’s take a look at a seven-round scenario.