Broncos 3-round 2022 mock draft with team netting two first-round picks

Third-Round, No. 64 overall: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

Boye Mafe goes to the Broncos in the third round, where it was a bit of a surprise to see him still on the board.

Mafe is not a complete prospect as his run defense will need some work at the next level, but at Minnesota, he showed the ability to play with his hand in the dirt and as a standup linebacker and was effective in both roles.

He is athletic and versatile, able to step out and cover running backs in the flat, for instance. But his bread and butter, and the reason the Broncos will take him, will be for his pass-rushing abilities.

Adding him to their stable of pass-rushers would be something that Paton would be highly interested in. He had 15 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during his career with the Gophers.

The Broncos would be looking to tap into his huge upside and if he could become a player who could become effective against the run later in his career, he would be a handful to deal with.

Mafe’s quickness off the snap is quite impressive and will be the reason he is no worse than a day-two pick, though you can find some mocks out there right now where he is a late first-round choice.

Mafe was named Player of the Game for the National Team in the Senior Bowl.

This would be good value if the Broncos were able to snag him 64 picks into the process.