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Denver Broncos mock draft: Loading up on defensive talent early

By Sayre Bedinger

Denver Broncos mock draft - Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) celebrates after successfully breaking up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) during Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., on November 6, 2021.Osu21neb Bjp 288
Denver Broncos mock draft - Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) celebrates after successfully breaking up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) during Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., on November 6, 2021.Osu21neb Bjp 288 /
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Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos 2022 NFL Draft; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Leo Chenal (5) shouts in excitement while entering the field prior to the game against the Army Black Knights at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos mock draft, third-round picks

3a. Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin

The Denver Broncos have a need at the off-ball linebacker position after deciding that Baron Browning would transition to playing off the edge.

While that move for Browning is exciting based on his pass rush potential, it leaves the Broncos with Josey Jewell (coming off of injury) and either Alex Singleton or Jonas Griffith starting next to him.

A player like Leo Chenal, who had an absurd 40.5-inch vertical jump at the Scouting Combine to go along with 4.53 speed, could be exactly what the Broncos need.

He is more known for his ability to attack the line of scrimmage than play in coverage, but there’s a lot of untapped potential here with his raw athleticism.

I think he’s a year-one starter.

3b. DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky

The Broncos could go with an EDGE player as early as pick 64, maybe even trade up for one, but George Paton has talked about liking the depth of this class off the edge, and getting a player like Malone here at 96 overall would be proof of just how deep this class truly is.

Malone is thinner for an edge player, but that hasn’t been an issue for the defenses Ejiro Evero has been part of in recent years and his overall athletic talent is in the elite category.

A four-year starter at Western Kentucky, Malone led the team in sacks his first full season playing and was twice named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.

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