The Denver Broncos are loaded with 2022 NFL Draft capital and they can solidify one of the top rosters in the NFL next season with a strong class.
With a strong 2022 NFL Draft class, the Denver Broncos could have the best-looking roster in the NFL.
Before general manager George Paton does literally anything at all in free agency or through potential trades, the Broncos already have such a solid core coming back to the team in 2022. Whether they acquire a veteran quarterback or attempt to develop someone in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Broncos are set up for long-term success with the players they will surround a new quarterback with.
How will George Paton approach the 2022 NFL Draft? Let’s be real about this — a couple of months from now, it’s entirely possible that the Broncos won’t have any selections in the first two rounds of the draft at all.
It’s also possible that we’ll go into the 2022 NFL Draft still not knowing who the QB of the future for the Broncos is. We know George Paton ultimately needs to take a swing at the QB position, but nobody knows when that will happen at this point.
For now, we’re going to look at the 2022 NFL Draft for the Denver Broncos as though the team will have only the players currently under contract on the roster still, which would be Drew Lock and likely Brett Rypien.
Although no mock draft simulator can seem to get the Broncos’ picks straight (it’s not all that easy, to be fair), the Broncos have 11 selections as of right now. They have at least one pick in each round with multiple selections in rounds two, three, five, and seven.
This mock draft scenario will still include 11 selections, but it will involve the Broncos trading up into the back end of the first round with the Tennessee Titans, swapping second-and-third-round picks for late-first and fourth-round picks.
Denver Broncos mock draft: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
One of the position groups the Denver Broncos will undoubtedly want to emphasize in the 2022 offseason is off the edge.
Bradley Chubb has come back from his ankle procedure and has gradually started to look like his pre-injury self. Broncos Country has not been overly impressed with the recent return on investment from Chubb, a top-five pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, despite the fact that he was incredible as a rookie and made the Pro Bowl in (checks notes) 2020.
Heading into 2022, Chubb will have to prove that he is still able to stay healthy and play at a Pro Bowl level. Perhaps if he can do that early and often in the 2022 season, he’ll earn an in-season contract like wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick did.
Jonathon Cooper looks like a gem off the edge from the 2021 NFL Draft class, but the Broncos need another true game-changer after the trade sending Von Miller away.
David Ojabo is exactly that — a game-changer.
Although he has the benefit of playing on the opposite side of the field from likely top pick Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo has been wrecking games in his own right. His explosiveness and athleticism are absolutely silly to watch from a man of his size and build.
He’s a very young prospect, but George Paton might see a bit of Danielle Hunter in Ojabo, a player who was extremely young and somewhat raw coming out with the potential to be a consistently dominant force off the edge.
Denver Broncos mock draft: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Remember I mentioned the Denver Broncos traded up from their top pick in round two with the Titans to make a pick in this mock draft?
As the simulator ran, I couldn’t help but wonder how George Paton would actually approach the 2022 NFL Draft without someone like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, or another big-name veteran.
This Denver Broncos team may be more in the same boat as the 2020 Chargers than the 2020 Buccaneers if they don’t land a big veteran fish at QB, in which case, I think Carson Strong is arguably the best “dart throw” at QB in this entire class.
In this simulation, I was able to get him at pick 29.
NFL clubs will need to clear Strong medically to pick him in round one. His right knee is of concern but keep in mind that he had a procedure on it less than a year ago and busted his butt to be out there playing in 2021.
This guy has maybe the best arm in the class, maneuvers around the pocket like a pro, and he can drop absolute dimes deep downfield. His downfield ball placement is some of the best you will see.
For my money, if the Broncos are unable to land a literal MVP candidate like Rodgers or Wilson, I would be 100 percent on board for maneuvering the board to get Carson Strong in round one.
Denver Broncos mock draft: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
After using a first-round pick on Patrick Surtain II in the 2021 NFL Draft as well as spending some big free agent dollars on Ronald Darby, the outside cornerback positions are rather solidified for the Denver Broncos.
With Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan slated for free agency, I think we’ll see the Broncos still be pretty active at this position in the 2022 offseason and the draft has some really good players and fits for this team.
We know that George Paton loves guys who can add to the overall team speed and Kyler Gordon — an absolute freak of an athlete — can do exactly that.
Gordon has played both outside corner and in the nickel for the Washington defense, and he also cut his teeth by becoming one of the Huskies’ best special teams players.
When all is said and done, I won’t be surprised if Gordon is being picked closer to pick 32 than in the 50s where I ultimately landed him. If he’s on the board, he’d be a steal here for the Denver Broncos and an instant plug-and-play at the nickel spot.
Denver Broncos mock draft: Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Many of you reading this mock draft are probably wondering where the solution at right tackle is for the Denver Broncos, and here you go.
The Broncos have had one of the most impactful rookie classes in 2021, not just because they drafted solid prospects but because those guys are actually getting the chance to play as the season has progressed.
Even as a third-round selection here, I think Max Mitchell offers day one starting abilities from the right tackle spot, and by the time the 2022 Senior Bowl is complete, getting him in the third round might give us all a good laugh.
Mitchell has the athletic traits and production at Louisiana to project exceptionally well to the pro level, especially under a duo of coaches like Mike Munchak and Chris Kuper in Denver.
With Bobby Massie slated to hit free agency, you can’t help but wonder if the Broncos will try to bring him back, but it would likely be on a short-term deal.
Even if Massie is re-signed, I think a right tackle in the top 100 picks is still firmly on the table for the Denver Broncos and Mitchell would be an outstanding pickup.
Denver Broncos mock draft, fourth-round picks
4a. Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan
Hassan Haskins has really exploded onto the scene this season for the Michigan program and has helped literally carry them to the College Football Playoff.
Haskins has 20 rushing touchdowns already this season and on 443 career carries at Michigan, this guy has zero fumbles.
Considering his physical style at the position, that is extremely surprising.
With Melvin Gordon slated for free agency, I love a couple of dart throws at the running back position to pair some talent with Javonte Williams.
4b. JoJo Domann, LB, Nebraska
JoJo Domann is a true “veteran” of college football having played a whopping 43 games for Nebraska dating back to 2016.
In those 43 games, Domann has made a lot of plays and showed a lot of NFL stuff. He has nine career forced fumbles, and is coming off of a big season with 71 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions, and a pair of forced fumbles.
We’ll see who the Broncos keep at the off-ball linebacker position, but at a bare minimum, Baron Browning will be back along with Jonas Griffith and Justin Strnad. Domann would be a fun addition to that group.
Denver Broncos mock draft: Remaining Day 3 picks
5a. Andrew Stueber, OL, Michigan
Taking another stab at the right tackle position and keeping in theme with a Big Ten-heavy day three of this mock draft, Andrew Stueber is a mountain of a man at the tackle position at 6-foot-7, 338 pounds.
He’s made the majority of his starts at right tackle but has also played some guard, and with a mid-round pick like this, you need that versatility.
Again, this is a deep offensive line class and getting Stueber here at the top of the fifth with the first of two picks from the Trinity Benson trade is really solid.
5b. Pierre Strong, RB, South Dakota State
That’s right, another running back.
I would love to see the Broncos take advantage of the depth of this class at running back by adding a couple of guys.
Javonte Williams’ physical style could eventually lead to some missed games, so the talent around him needs to be up to snuff.
Pierre Strong is one of the best prospects in the FCS and is both explosive and elusive. A versatile back who can run, catch passes, and even throw the ball, Strong is going to be one of the more fun stories to watch in the 2022 NFL Draft.
6. Charlie Jones, WR/RS, Iowa
The Broncos need a new return specialist, and Charlie Jones may have been the best overall return man in all of college football.
Both with kickoffs and punts, Jones made big plays for the Hawkeyes and he also showed a ton of growth offensively as a receiver.
I think he’s one of the top sneaky players of day three of this class and is bound for a long NFL career.
7a. Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
Sam Martin has had a solid season for the Denver Broncos, but if you can grab arguably the best punter in the class for the low price of a 7th-round pick?
You might consider the couple million dollars in savings there.
Araiza averaged 51.2 yards per punt this season. You don’t often see specialists go on day two of the NFL Draft but it is possible that the big leg of Araiza will get him drafted much, much higher than this.
7b. Kaleb Eleby, QB, Western Michigan
I am a big fan of doubling up on important positions and I think there are some fun late-round players in this class at the quarterback position. When you watch Kaleb Eleby play at Western Michigan, you can’t help but see a guy who — at worst — will be a decent spot starter with some development in the NFL.
5 coaches the Broncos should be going after if Fangio is out
The Denver Broncos have two regular season games left and only a sliver of hope for the playoffs. Which head coach candidates should be on the radar?
In anticipation of the Denver Broncos hiring an offensive-minded head coach who will excel in developing quarterbacks, I’m all for adding a couple of prospects into the mix.