Denver Broncos mock draft: Making a huge defensive trade
By Noah Smith
Denver Broncos Mock Draft- Rounds 3 & 4
Pick 71
With the acquisition of Marshon Lattimore, veteran Kareem Jackson will likely be on his way out the door. To replenish the depth at safety, the Denver Broncos select Jevon Holland, a versatile defender who will help fill a number of roles in the defense.
Holland has great size for a safety who can play in a deep zone, as well as in the box as a run defender. Jevon won’t have Kareem Jackson’s “hit stick”, but Holland will have value as a run defender In the box, and as a blitzer along the line of scrimmage.
Holland also spent time as a slot cornerback in the Ducks’ defense. Holland has the ability to cover tight ends and running backs on routes, and will thrive in a versatile role that Vic Fangio can assign to him.
Holland doesn’t need to be an instant impact starter for the Broncos’ secondary, but rather a complimentary piece who can play many roles. The departure of Kareem Jackson will leave plenty of snaps for Jevon Holland and will allow Holland to grow into a quality starting safety for the Broncos.
Pick 107
With Shelby Harris and DeMarcus Walker being Unrestricted Free Agents, to go with Jurrell Casey being a potential cap casualty, the Denver Broncos should look for young defensive line depth through the draft. Marvin Wilson fits the bill for the Broncos and could be a sneaky good addition.
Wilson was a highly touted prospect entering the 2020 College Football season and was widely regarded as a 1st round prospect. However, Wilson had a major dip in production in 2020, causing his draft stock to plummet.
While Wilson’s production was down from the 2019 season, he has still shown that he has the tools to be an NFL defensive lineman. Wilson’s massive size and power will translate to the NFL level, along with his ability to rush the passer from a number of different spots along the defensive line.
Wilson’s pass-rush move “toolbag” is lacking, and is one of the main reasons for his decline in play during the 2020 season. However, working with Bill Kolar and the defensive lineman will help Wilson develop his pass-rush ability, while pairing his skills with his freakish size and strength.
Marvin Wilson is an intriguing prospect on the defensive line, and one that the Broncos should look into in the later rounds. If Wilson can develop more moves to complement his elite bull-rush, he could outperform his draft location, and become a steal for the Broncos.