What can the Denver Broncos fetch in the 2022 NFL Draft

Denver Broncos: General Manager George Paton of the Denver Broncos addresses the media at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos: General Manager George Paton of the Denver Broncos addresses the media at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

How much talent can Denver Broncos general manager George Paton actually reel in during the 2022 NFL Draft without his top two picks?

I’ve seen dozens of mock drafts and scenarios for the Denver Broncos in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, so I tried my hand at a Pro Football Network mock draft.

This is what I hauled in with my GM hat on.

Denver Broncos 2022 mock draft scenario

64. Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State

86 (projected trade). Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M

87 (projected trade). Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State

115. Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin

116. Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati

126 (projected trade). Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon

First I grabbed Brandon Smith from Linebacker U to find a long-term answer at ILB with pick 64. He may be a steal if he’s still on the board here.

I then traded out of the 75 spot, but still managed to grab our other running back by committee to pair with Javonte Williams in Isaiah Spiller out of Texas A&M at 86.

That’s a little earlier then I see the Broncos taking a back but he could be a gem if he falls that far.

I then packaged up the 96th pick to draft an offensive tackle for the future in Nicholas Petit-Frere from Ohio State at pick 87. With these three picks, I have happily filled three important positions for the Broncos.

After that, though, there is much more depth to this draft. With picks 115 and 116, I selected tough guy do it all tight end Jake Ferguson from Wisconsin and the more I read the more I like this guy for Denver.

He’s made for zone blocking and has the requisite pass-catching ability as well.

Then I went for Bryan Cook out of Cincinnati, a former corner turned safety that can hold up in the box. Another guy you’d love to find for this value.

With my last pick after trading to my spots, I got corner depth and hopefully the future slot with Mykael Wright. He checks the boxes to develop into a future starter.

Overall I was pleased to see the value still available on the board after the Broncos gave up their first and original second-round picks in the Russell Wilson trade.

If the draft goes anywhere near this then I think it went well. There’s a reason George Paton gets the big bucks, but I took a swing and I think even I found some good pieces to fill out this team despite not picking until 64 overall.

I like all these guys to fill a role this year and potential abounds so just because you don’t see household names doesn’t mean the Broncos can’t build through the draft. Happy hunting George and Co.

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