The Denver Broncos have an opportunity to really upgrade their roster in the 2022 NFL Draft. We look at a mock draft with an early emphasis on defense.
After an incredible month of March, things have slowed down considerably for the Denver Broncos in the month of April.
That’s not altogether unexpected although we could see general manager George Paton make a handful of minor moves or even some trades leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft.
For now, though, it’s safe to assume and expect that the biggest pickups the Denver Broncos make roster-wise in the next couple of weeks will all come via the 2022 Draft class, which is loaded in the range the Broncos still have picks left (rounds 2-7).
The Broncos’ needs are starting to come into focus, and now creating mock drafts will be all about aligning those needs with value.
Let’s take a look at a brand-new seven-round mock draft scenario for George Paton and the Denver Broncos with a heavy emphasis on defensive players early.
Denver Broncos mock draft, 64th pick: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
A new face lands atop this Denver Broncos mock draft scenario at a position of need that I think needs more attention.
The Denver Broncos are one injury at the cornerback position away from borderline disaster status.
Last season, Ronald Darby was injured in Week 1. Pat Surtain II suffered an injury later in the season.
Imagine if the team’s cornerback group was exactly as-is going into the season and they suffered just one injury. It would be absolutely terrible.
A player like Cam Taylor-Britt out of Nebraska has intriguing potential right away. Taylor-Britt is ultra-aggressive and has outstanding speed, and I like his projection to the next level as a versatile inside/outside option.
He’s got good size, great speed, and potential to be a starting-caliber player as a rookie. I would love this value at pick 64.
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.
Denver Broncos mock draft, fourth-round picks
4a. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
After going with three straight picks on the defensive side of the ball to open up this mock draft scenario, the Broncos go with their first offensive player here on day three and it’s a doozy.
Wan’Dale Robinson, one of the most exciting playmakers in college football last season, joins a tremendous group of receivers in Denver and gives the Broncos an option not only offensively but also in the return game.
Although he’s only 5-foot-8, 178 pounds, Robinson in the fourth round would be outstanding depth and valuable insurance for KJ Hamler in case he isn’t back to full speed at the start of the season.
Even if Hamler is at full strength, Robinson gives the Denver Broncos yet another weapon to utilize offensively that can create in space.
4b. Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
Although a variety of tight ends were considered throughout this mock draft process, the idea of Jelani Woods and his athleticism in the fourth round is still simply too good to pass up on.
Mock draft simulators almost always have Woods available at this selection, and Broncos fans should prepare for the possibility that he goes sooner because of his freakish size and athletic talent.
If he’s available in round four, the good news for the Broncos is that they have back-to-back picks here and can go any direction they want.
Denver Broncos mock draft, rounds 5-7
5. Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
I couldn’t face the music again for not drafting an offensive tackle with one of the selections in this mock draft, so here in round five, I landed the athletic small-school prospect Braxton Jones, who has had a pre-draft visit with the Broncos.
Jones is a physical player who would be an ideal developmental type as the Broncos have the position group relatively set in 2022.
Jones could take the place of Cam Fleming on the roster, except he has eventual long-term starter potential.
6. Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU
Allgeier has been one of my favorite running back options for the Broncos for a while now, even though he is stylistically quite similar to Javonte Williams.
Allgeier doesn’t have elite timed speed, but he’s a converted linebacker who plays the game with a level of physicality that defensive players simply don’t want to have to deal with in the open field.
Most importantly, I don’t think you have to take him off the field. To me, he’s more of a top 150 player but getting him in round six would be an absolute thrill.
7. Tariq Castro-Fields, CB, Penn State
It was surprising to see Castro-Fields still on the board in this mock draft simulation, and with his combination of experience and athleticism, there’s no doubt that it would be a surprise in real life to see him sitting there.
In this mock draft, the Broncos used their top pick on a Big Ten cornerback and here they close it out with another.
3 trades the Denver Broncos could make before the 2022 NFL Draft
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Castro-Fields gave up only three touchdowns in 52 games while at Penn State and could be a very nice depth and developmental piece in the secondary.