The Denver Broncos head into the bye week with a ton of questions for the future. In this mock draft, Sayre Bedinger and Patrick Chiotti look to answer some!
After a rough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in which the Denver Broncos looked like they lacked overall effort, the bye week couldn’t come any sooner. For some fans and analysts of the Broncos, the 2022 NFL Draft couldn’t come any sooner. Predominantly Orange analyst Patrick Chiotti sat down with site expert Sayre Bedinger to complete a full seven-round mock draft in an attempt to fix the mess in Denver.
The Denver Broncos are clearly a middle-of-the-pack football team with a roster that looks like it could be a playoff team on paper. Going into the bye week, this team is sitting at 5-5 and in last place in the AFC West. The team looks uninspired from week to week (outside of their glorious win against Dallas) and a coaching change is getting closer.
As we take this week to rest and recharge for the final push of the season, PO site expert Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) and I sat down to think about potential draft picks in 2022 that might help rebuild this broken team.
For this mock draft, we utilized the mock draft machine over at www.risendraft.com, where you can also find a complete draft database and draft prospect analysis!
Denver Broncos mock draft – 1st round picks
Patrick: Drake Jackson, EDGE USC
Von Miller is gone, Bradley Chubb is injury-prone and has yet to prove he can be “the guy”, and the team simply can’t rely on a seventh-round pick and an undrafted guy to be their main source of pressure.
Not to knock on Jonathon Cooper or Malik Reed because they’re both extremely talented but in a league where getting to the quarterback is becoming increasingly more important, the Broncos just need more.
With no QBs on the board that I truly love here, Jackson would give the Broncos a solid edge rusher to attempt to replace Miller. I would like to see if he ends up running his forty-yard dash in the high 4.5’s or low 4.6’s.
Sayre: Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
I was going to agree with Patrick on this one because Drake Jackson would be a fine selection here, but the Denver Broncos’ QB position is unresolved until it’s not.
Both Kenny Pickett and Carson Strong were on the board here and we know George Paton just got to go see Pickett in person.
His hand size is a potential cause for concern at just over eight inches (Pickett rocks the two-glove look just like Teddy Bridgewater to compensate) but his improvement and productivity over the last two seasons are impossible to ignore.
Pickett has shown the ability to drive the ball and make accurate throws to all levels, and he’s also solid at moving around and making plays with his legs if need be.
Denver Broncos Round 2 Mock Draft Picks
Patrick (Pick 1): David Bell, WR Purdue
Courtland Sutton could get an extension from the team even after Tim Patrick re-signed, and Jerry Jeudy will be heading into year three with all eyes on him to take the big leap into stardom.
As K.J. Hamler recovers from his ACL injury, the Broncos need to find someone to attempt to supplement that missing production. David Bell out of Purdue seems like he really could be that guy. Great size and sure hands, he seems like a great fit for this offense.
Sayre (Pick 1): David Bell, WR Purdue
Patrick and I made this selection before Tim Patrick re-signed. I think the Broncos will bring back Courtland Sutton as well, so this pick winds up being just a value selection and maybe some insurance in case of injury.
KJ Hamler was injury-prone anyway, but now he’s coming back from an ACL tear and what is that going to look like? Bell would give the Broncos another dynamic weapon offensively and again, some really talented insurance if the team merely franchise tags Courtland Sutton or loses one of their top guys to injury again.
Patrick (Pick 2): Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia
Heading into next year, the only certainty in the Denver Broncos cornerback room is that Pat Surtain II is the future. Outside of PS2, it’s a toss-up of who will be on the team next season. Kyle Fuller was benched and brought back to be the nickel, Bryce Callahan suffered yet another injury, and both of those guys are in the final years of their respective deals.
Ronald Darby is under contract for the next two seasons, but his play has been hit and miss. Michael Ojemudia has been injured as well but could see increased time after the bye. Adding a player like Derion Kendrick in the second is good value and gives the Broncos another quality corner. The Clemson transfer had some off-field issues previously, which could be a reason to stay away.
Sayre (Pick 2): Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia
If the Broncos can clear Kendrick off the field, he’s a ridiculous value at the bottom of round two.
A converted receiver with outstanding ball skills at the cornerback position, he’s played great for Georgia.
Again, the person is going to have to be properly vetted here. The football player looks like a longtime NFL starter.
Denver Broncos mock draft – Round 3 Picks
Patrick (Pick 1): Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota
The Denver Broncos have been using a “tackle-by-committee” approach for the seemingly cursed right tackle position. Veteran tackle Bobby Massie has been playing pretty well this season, but the Broncos need to find a long-term solution.
Minnesota OT Daniel Faalele could possibly be the long-term solution at right tackle for the Broncos. A massive prospect with good athleticism for his size, Faalele still has some work to do with his technique. However, he plays like a school ground bully and if Mike Munchak is still the offensive line coach in 2022, he may have a gem on his hands.
Sayre (Pick 1): Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota
I was about to take Faalele with the last pick of round two, but to get him here in round three is even better.
There are some significant questions about whether or not Faalele could hold up as a full-time solution at the tackle position, but his upside is worth taking a shot on here.
Listed at 6-foot-9, 400 pounds at one point, Faalele is a literal giant on the football field who has exceptional movement skills for his position. He is capable of flat-out dominating. I like the idea of him next to Quinn Meinerz on that right side.
Patrick (Pick 2): Henry To’oto’o, LB Alabama
It seems like the Denver Broncos have used about 15 different players at the linebacker position this season. Injuries hit the group hard as both Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson suffered season-ending injuries.
The Broncos have had to rely on the combination of rookie Baron Browning and second-year Justin Strnad, as well as trading for Kenny Young and signing Avery Williamson who has yet to play a snap in Denver.
With this pick, Denver gets a potential linebacker to partner alongside Browning. The Tennessee transfer has good closing speed, decent zone coverage skills, and has good instincts to take tackling angles. Could be a potential steal in the mid-rounds.
Sayre (Pick 2): Breece Hall, RB Iowa State
With their second of two third-round picks, the Broncos take a running back to complement Javonte Williams and replace Melvin Gordon, assuming Gordon walks in free agency.
If Gordon comes back, you can go another route, but I love the idea of having two backs that can hurt you on all three downs.
Breece Hall has been one of the best pass-catching backs in all of college football the last few seasons and a workhorse for the Cyclones.
Denver Broncos mock draft – Round 4 Picks
Patrick: Brian Robinson, Jr., RB Alabama
Melvin Gordon is in the final year of his deal and his costly fumble against the Eagles might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. With a couple of costly fumbles this season and the emergence of rookie Javonte Williams, Gordon may be on his way out of Denver.
In an effort to replace Gordon and add to the running back room, they add Alabama back Brian Robinson, Jr. While he doesn’t offer a ton in the passing game, Robinson is an angry runner, similar to Williams. The combination of both these angry backs could help the Broncos build a run-heavy, controlling offense.
Sayre: DeMarvion Overshown, LB Texas
This is a fun player to watch.
Taking a Longhorns defender this past Draft worked out really great for the Broncos (safety Caden Sterns) so maybe we’ll see them dip back into that talent pool.
Overshown is a bit of an undersized linebacker prospect in terms of his bulk, but he has that intriguing linebacker/defensive back type of versatility that NFL teams covet these days.
I felt like this was a solid value in round four.
Denver Broncos 2022 mock draft – Round 5 Picks
Patrick: Cade Otton, TE Washington
The Denver Broncos seem to have a very talented group of tight ends. Noah Fant, even with his struggles this season, has a ton of potential to be a top tight end in the league if the coaching staff can figure out how to properly utilize him.
Second-year tight end Albert Okwuegbunam has bounced back nicely from his ACL injury and has become quite the contributor to the offense. Adding another tight end to the mix won’t hurt and Washington’s Cade Otton is certainly an intriguing option.
An excellent athlete and route runner for his size (6′ 5″, 250 lbs), Otton is often utilized as a wing or in the slot where his size and athleticism make for great mismatches. He also isn’t afraid to help in the blocking game. Adding him in the room with Fant and Albert O could make for a great tight end trio.
Sayre: Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
You can’t go after too many defensive backs, in my opinion.
Taylor has been a steady contributor for the Vols’ defense over the last four years and has been having a big 2021 season with 50 total tackles, two interceptions, and five passes broken up.
The contract status of players like Bryce Callahan and Kyle Fuller could necessitate a double-up at cornerback in this draft.
Denver Broncos mock draft – Round 6 Picks
Patrick: Jake Haener, QB Fresno State
Depending on who the quarterback is next season, the Denver Broncos could look in a different direction with this pick. However, Haener is an interesting option as a potential developmental backup/spot starter, similar to how they have used Brett Rypien.
The Washington transfer and current Fresno State quarterback has put together some quality games against tough opponents this season, including a close game against the highly-ranked Oregon Ducks. Haener’s toughness has shown this season and makes him an interesting pick for the future.
Sayre: Demetrius Taylor, DL, Appalachian State
The Broncos need to continue to add defensive line depth and Taylor has been a really productive pass rusher for Appalachian State.
At 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, he’s on the lighter side but those types of players have worked out really well for the Broncos in recent years.
Denver Broncos mock draft – Round 7 Picks
Patrick: Alex Forsyth, IOL Oregon
If the Denver Broncos were able to pick up Forsyth in the seventh round, I’d be genuinely happy. Forsyth is one of the more overlooked interior lineman of this class who finally got a starting spot in 2020 after riding the bench. He’s a very solid pass protector who could ideally play any of the three interior roles. Needs some work in the run game, but as he continues to grow, this late pick might pay off big for the Broncos offense.
Sayre: Chris Autman-Bell, WR Minnesota
At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Autman-Bell has some serious giddy-up at the receiver position.
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