In a full seven-round mock draft, the Denver Broncos wheel and deal their way to adding serious talent to positions of need in the 2022 NFL Draft.
After trading for Russell Wilson, the Denver Broncos are slated to have eight total picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. In a full seven-round mock draft, I predict some target areas/players that George Paton may target with his current draft capital.
With the Denver Broncos currently slated to have selections at:
- 64
- 75
- 96
- 115
- 116
- 152
- 206
- 232
George Paton and the Denver Broncos still have plenty of wiggle room to address the areas that need the attention. That said, Paton likes to come away with 10 draft selections in every draft, so I would definitely expect some sort of maneuvering.
While Paton & the Broncos do not have a selection on day one, there will still be plenty of players of value in the range that the Denver Broncos will be selecting. This draft is said to be a “meaty” draft with plenty of able players going on day two.
Currently, the Denver Broncos have a strong roster, but there are some holes that could you some reinforcements. The following positions should be prioritized:
- Outside Linebacker
- Cornerback
- Defensive Lineman
- Right Tackle
- Tight End
Other positions, like center, could use an upgrade but are not pressing like some other positions.
There are dream scenarios that many of us would adore, like Trey McBride sliding all the way to the 64th selection, but this mock will not be unrealistic. No trades in this mock, but there will be another one with a plethora of trades before the draft takes place.
So, with the 64th overall selection, the Denver Broncos select…
Denver Broncos mock draft, pick 64: Roger McCreary, cornerback, Auburn
Out of all of the cornerbacks I have watched in this pre-draft process, McCreary is one of the few that I’m all in on. I’ve been heavy on the Denver Broncos selecting McCreary who ESPN’s Todd McShay mentioned could be a target for the Denver Broncos in the second round.
This lifted my mood tenfold. If the Denver Broncos can add McCreary to the secondary, it would be big-time for not just 2022, but the future as well. With the Denver Broncos having to prep to sign newly acquired, Russell Wilson, to a massive deal, replenishing more expensive contracts with players on rookie deals will be vital.
With Patrick Surtain II & Michael Ojemudia on their rookie deals, K’Waun Williams on a cheap deal in 2023, there is a chance Ronald Darby is looked at as a business decision to save cap space for Russell Wilson. Roger McCreary would help George Paton in his willingness to make such a move.
McCreary is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound football player whose assigned position is cornerback. This dude is what some refer to as a “dog.” While McCreary is expected to be selected on day two, I still feel like he is criminally underrated.
Although he does not carry the largest frame, his physicality is unmatched and overpowering to some. He is able to win with his pressing nature inside or outside, which speaks to what he will be able to do at the next level.
McCreary is up in the opposition’s grill trying to mug them for everything they own. His play on the ball is great too. While he certainly has the frame to lose some of the battles against bigger wide receivers, his competitive nature allows him to fight for every ball thrown in his direction.
He plays like he understands the game of football. He doesn’t get beat often, if he loses, it is because he was out-manned. One thing I always privy when looking at cornerbacks is their ability to plan man-to-man coverage, McCreary can definitely do so.
If a cornerback can play man, he can shadow a receiver. In the case of someone like McCreary, he can shadow and play off. He is able to do so because of his football acumen and his exceptional read and react ball skills. Heck, he has 30 pass break-ups during his time at Auburn.
His play in the SEC was phenomenal, which will help his case as he has guarded several first-round prospects that now play in the National Football League. Running a 4.5 40-yard dash is fine, not mind-blowing, but just fine.
Roger McCreary may be my favorite cornerback in this class due to his physicality, willingness to tackle, ability to play inside & outside, and his ability to close in on the football.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 75: Nik Bonitto, Edge, Oklahoma
I would personally love for this selection to be Drake Jackson from USC or Arnold Ebiketie from Penn State, but I think they will both be gone before the clock starts ticking for George Paton. However, Nik Bonitto would still be a fantastic addition to the Broncos’ pass rush room, especially at pick 64.
Nik Bonitto is a 6-foot-3, 248-pound edge rusher who is an incredible athlete. Totaling 19.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss during his time with Oklahoma, Bonitto has been consistent since his sophomore season in 2020.
From an athletic profile, Bonitto rivals former Denver Bronco, Von Miller. At both of their respective pro day/combines, Miller ran a bit faster and showed a bit more quickness, and has longer arms, Bonitto was right on his heels with the exception of out-bench pressing him.
Bonitto posted a RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 9.5 out of 10, this is something that Paton has been keen on when drafting prospects. At the combine, Bonitto ran a 4.54 40-yard dash, an impressive number for an edge rusher.
He doesn’t possess a massive size to speed ratio like some of these athletic freaks coming out, but he has the adequate size and strength to make it at the next level. For an edge rusher, he does pretty well when asked to drop back into coverage.
He also does a fine job in space and is able to make plays in the open field when the opportunity presents itself. Bonitto wins and wins quickly. There isn’t a lot of wasted time in unwarranted movements when he rushes the passer, it is more of an attack downhill approach.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 96: Tyler Smith, Offensive Tackle, Tulsa
Tyler Smith, the 6-foot-5, 324-pound powerhouse out of Tulsa is a name that is already linked to the Denver Broncos as he was brought in for a visit just last week.
Playing left tackle at Tulsa, Smith would need a position change, if the Denver Broncos were the team to select the mauling man himself. Garett Bolles will continue to be the Denver Broncos’ left tackle until proven otherwise.
Tyler Smith could bring even more nasty to the Broncos’ front line, something an offensive line can never have enough of. Smith finished every play, he looks to punish the guys lined up across from him.
With Bolles at left tackle, Quinn Meinerz at right guard, and Javonte Williams at running back, if the defense, or would be tacklers let up for just a moment, Javonte Williams will find a way to stay up and his security team of Smith, Meinerz & Bolles will be there to make sure he keeps moving forward.
On so many plays last season, Williams & Meinerz were the duo that you would always see downfield just driving their legs, churning, and fighting for every inch. Tyler Smith out of Tulsa would add another finishing mentality to that crew.
Smith would be considered as a somewhat project, otherwise, he would be a premier pick in the draft and not be considered by George Paton around where the Denver Broncos will be selecting. There could be an improvement in his overall technique and base, but he has the requisite tools to do the job.
That is what coaches should really be licking their chops at, getting the opportunity to turn a physical mauler like Smith into a legit starting right tackle in the National Football League.
Tyler Smith could be the future starting right tackle for the Denver Broncos, but what I like about this selection is that if he fails at right tackle, the Denver Broncos could be in the market for a left guard in 2023. With Smith’s downhill, road-grading attacking style, he would fit in well as a guard in the National Football League.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 115: Cole Turner, Tight End, Nevada
Cole Turner, 6-foot-6, 246-pound tight end out of Nevada is a dual-threat weapon that could be what the Denver Broncos are looking for at the tight end position.
Turner is a matchup nightmare for cornerbacks and has the ability to play inline and outside as a tight end. Against Cal during the 2021 season, he lined up wide and just beat the man covering him. Whether it is a curl, slant, or going deep, Cole Turner can line up wide and dominate the cornerback or safety trying to cover him.
With his size and speed, (4.7 40-yard dash), it would be difficult to ask a cornerback to check someone with that dangerous of a tool bag. Turner did play some basketball as well in high school and you can see that in his play.
He is able to play in the slot as well, he can read zone coverage and he can be the security blanket for a quarterback who is looking for the easy completion to move the sticks. Turner is a willing blocker, but he does better in situations where h can set up and get his strength under him as he does have a bit of a slimmer frame.
That said, he is not a liability in run blocking, and in this outside zone scheme, it may work to his favor that he is blocking more laterally than downhill. Turner has 10 touchdown receptions in 2021, which led the Mountain West at the tight end position.
Turner would be another big-bodied red zone threat for Russell Wilson, he would also be a tight end who could play in any package without giving away what play is about to be run by the offense.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 116: Hassan Haskins, Running Back, Michigan
Dipping back into the running back pool after selecting Javonte Williams in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos and George Paton turn to former Michigan Wolverine, Hassan Haskins.
Standing at 6-foot-1, over 220 pounds, Haskins is a powerful runner that tries to do his best Melvin Gordon impression and fall forward when tackled. There isn’t an incredible amount of burst from Haskins and he is not a perfect prospect by any means, but this is why he is looked at in the fourth round, instead of the first.
Now Denver Broncos running backs coach, Tyrone Wheatley, was the running backs coach at the University of Michigan from 2015-2016. Wheatley could give the Wolverines Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, a call and get some feedback on Haskins as well.
He has a similar style to Melvin Gordon and could be brought in to get those nasty two yards that keep chains moving when operating on offense. During his time at Michigan, Haskins ran for 2,324 yards and 30 touchdowns.
One downfall of Haskins’s play is his ability out of the backfield. He has never been a threat popping out of the backfield and that is important in today’s NFL. While it shouldn’t make or break the potential of a prospect, it certainly does make one more enticing.
Williams and Boone could be the main one-two punch in 2022, but when 2023 comes around, the Denver Broncos could have a dynamic, cost-controlled duo in Williams and Haskins.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 152, Coby Bryant, cornerback, Cincinnati
One of many players that have been mocked in several different tiers and rounds is cornerback, Coby Bryant, out of Cincinnati.
Many people expect him in the third, some fourth, but in an ideal scenario like Baron Browning in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos get a steal here with Coby Bryant.
Bryant is a leader in the secondary, who communicates with his teammates well, plays with that “dog” mentality that Chris Harris Jr. carries with him, and is fluid when covering. He tallied 35 pass breakups along with nine interceptions and 170 tackles with four forced fumbles.
Having great ball skills and the ability to read and react is a must in the defense, Bryant checks all of those boxes. He’s a smart player who will do well in a system that lets him diagnose and react. Although he carries a slim frame, at 6-foot-1 and 185+ pounds, Bryant is a willing tackler, not the best, but willing.
Bryant did post a pretty solid RAS score, something George Paton puts stock into with an 8.02. His strength was the biggest shocker in my eyes, bench pressing 225 pounds 17 times.
With a bit of coaching from Denver Broncos’ current defensive backs coach, Christian Parker, Bryant could turn into a fine number three corner for the Denver Broncos in the future.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 206, Neil Farrell Jr., Defensive Lineman, LSU
Neil Farrell Jr., a 6-foot-4 330 pound defensive lineman, played five years at LSU, contributing 45 tackles, 9.5 of them were for loss and two sacks.
One theme I have been consistent with throughout this mock is the ability of the class to replenish the roster with players with higher value contracts needing to be trimmed due to having a high-profile quarterback. This selection could be a natural replacement for fan favorite, Mike Purcell.
Farrell Jr. is not going to come into the league and be Aaron Donald or have anywhere close to that production, but he can come in and be a big-bodied, space-eating prescience that this defense needs up front. Pairing up beside recently signed, D.J. Jones, the two would combine for 630 pounds of beef up front.
With a run defense that struggled last season, this is important to clog lanes and keep offensive linemen off of linebackers to keep Josey Jewell and Baron Browning free to scrape and fill gaps on their ways to making plays.
Farrell Jr. played at a high level, on the next best thing to the NFL in the SEC. Facing off against several offensive linemen that are now fine professionals, Farrell Jr. has shown he has the ability and strength to anchor down the middle of a defense.
Denver Broncos mock draft pick 232, Montrell Washington, Wide Receiver, Samford
Playing at a smaller school, with little to no exposure, Montrell Washington did all he could to make a name for himself.
In the biggest moments, Washington shined. Against the Florida Gators on National Television, Washington had a huge kickoff return that went 98 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. In this game, he played with three broken ribs and still managed to tally 340 all-purpose yards!
With the Denver Broncos needing a return specialist and stockpiling picks on strength, Washington could come into Dove Valley and learn how to be a prolific wide receiver, while contributing in other areas.
Washington has never been just a one-trick pony, proof, he led the FCS with 1,938 all-purpose yards in 2021. He totaled 243 yards via punt return, 742 on kick returns, 140 rushing yards, and 813 receiving yards. All of that along with 18 total touchdowns, six rushing, nine receiving and three return scores.
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Washington is an incredibly gifted and tough athlete who would make the Denver Broncos better. While it isn’t a pressing need, George Paton is just throwing darts this late, and Washington could be one that hits the bulls eye if the throw goes as planned.