The Denver Broncos get some nice value with their top three picks in this 2022 NFL mock draft scenario, especially on defense.
It’s officially 2022 NFL Draft week with hundreds of prospects and their NFL futures hanging in the balance.
This is always one of the most exciting times of year but for the Denver Broncos, it’s even more exciting because this NFL Draft class is joining a team that will be quarterbacked by Russell Wilson.
There will undoubtedly be plenty of crazy twists and turns before the Broncos are officially on the clock at pick 64 overall and I want to explore exactly that today. What could the draft look like in its entirety before the Broncos pick?
Who could legitimately still be on the board?
George Paton shared a bit of the team’s philosophy at his recent pre-draft press conference but how much can we really take away from it? What can we expect from the Broncos’ top three picks in this class?
Let’s take a look at a full NFL three-round mock draft and what the Denver Broncos’ picks could look like if the board falls the way this simulation fell.
Keep in mind, I’m acting only as the Broncos GM in this case and the mock draft simulator is making all other selections. We’ll react to all of the other picks as well.
Denver Broncos land value in full 3-round 2022 NFL mock draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
There is no doubt that the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have had the top overall pick now in consecutive drafts, simply need an influx of talent on their roster.
Unfortunately for them, there is not a single no-brainer player at the top of this draft class. Not only that but there isn’t a QB teams are jockeying for, either, which prevents the Jaguars from selling this pick for a king’s ransom.
The last draft I remember like this is the 2013 Draft when the Chiefs were stuck picking between Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel.
The mock draft simulator chose Aidan Hutchinson, who would be as good of a pick as any in this slot.
2. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The rumor mill has been all over the map regarding Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Some days, he’s being predicted as a top-five pick. Other days, he’s sliding well into the teens (or later).
It’s tough to know what to believe at this point but I think the concerns over Thibodeaux’s love for the game are longstanding enough that I would almost bank on him not being picked here.
Especially for the Lions, who want knee-biting players on their roster. Thibodeaux in this slot would be interesting though as he would be joining his Oregon teammate Penei Sewell, the Lions’ first-rounder in 2021.
3. Houston Texans: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Houston Texans now have a bounty of picks in each of the next three years to work with after the Deshaun Watson trade.
Thanks to the surprising pick of Davis Mills last year, they also have an intriguing QB to give a legitimate shot in 2022.
Travon Walker would be a nice haul for Houston in round one but he’s more likely going in the top two picks.
Derek Stingley Jr.’s name has really been picking up steam here.
4. New York Jets: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
There is no shortage of Jets fans whose sole desire in this year’s draft is Sauce Gardner.
However, in this spot, the Jets might be more likely to take a pass rusher of their choosing. Some have started throwing the name Jermaine Johnson out there, and we know that Robert Saleh’s defense needs a cornerstone piece like that.
While Gardner would be a tremendous fit, perhaps the Jets will have a shot at him at 10 instead, or maybe they like the combination of Johnson and Trey McDuffie as much or more than they like the combination of, say, Sauce Gardner and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Gardner’s claim to fame is not allowing a single touchdown in his time at Cincinnati.
5. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The New York Giants probably couldn’t ask for a better scenario than this one.
Their top need is on the offensive line, and Ekwonu is, at this point, probably the cleanest offensive line prospect in this entire class.
Don’t sleep on Charles Cross here, however.
While Ekwonu might be the most highly hyped offensive lineman, there are some that believe Cross has the highest ceiling and is the best pass protector of the bunch.
Could the Jets surprise here and make Cross the first OL off the board? I don’t think they’d be wrong to pick Ekwonu.
6. Carolina Panthers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Here was a somewhat surprising pick from the simulator. Malik Willis being the QB1 of this Draft class would not be surprising based on his physical tools and potential.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure the Carolina Panthers have the time or roster to be able to foster that potential.
I think the Pittsburgh Steelers are the best possible landing spot for Willis in this Draft, but if the Panthers picked him here, could you blame them?
This is a desperate team right now but if they could work out a deal for Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield after this year’s draft, I feel like Charles Cross or Ikem Ekwonu should be the pick here.
7. New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
In an ideal world, I think the Giants would absolutely love to trade out of this slot.
The question is — who is some team moving up for?
Would it be a corner? Tackle? Quarterback?
I think any of those answers could be viable at this stage but it is really hard to fit two guys at 5 and 7 to the Giants that you look at and say, “Oh yeah, that’s the dream draft.”
I’m not sure that scenario really exists in this year’s class.
Maybe the Giants should trade this pick in a package to get Deebo Samuel…
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
For the longest time, I felt like Jermaine Johnson could be the ideal pick for the Denver Broncos at pick number 9 overall. Now, that’s no longer a discussion and Johnson could got in the top five picks.
His 2021 season certainly puts him in the “worthy” category of that distinction.
The former Georgia transfer had a monstrous season at Florida State this past year and would be a great pick for the talent-depleted Atlanta Falcons, who might be the early favorite to pick first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
This is the kind of madness in the NFL Draft I am 100 percent here for.
Would the Seahawks turn around and use the first-round pick they just acquired from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade to select Desmond Ridder?
Based on how things have been portrayed this entire offseason, this pick would be largely laughed at by the Twitterverse.
For me? I like to keep an open mind and I think Ridder in Seattle would be fascinating. He’s a dynamic dual-threat at the position, he’s been a tremendous leader for that Cincinnati team, he’s got plenty of arm talent, and the Seahawks obviously have the need.
Ridder sneaks into many first-round mock drafts these days, so Seattle may not be able to get him at 40.
Do they view him as a possible franchise QB or as a QB dart throw? That is the difference between him being picked at 9 or going late in the first or early in the second.
10. New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The computer simulation ended the fall of Evan Neal here at pick no. 10 to the New York Jets.
Neal is a freakish athlete who is absolutely massive. The Jets have made some substantial investments in the offensive line in recent years and the right tackle position might be the last one that needs addressing.
Neal could fill that slot and be an instant impact player but I can’t help but wonder if the Jets will prioritize EDGE, CB, and WR with their top picks.
11. Washington Commanders: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
If Derek Stingley Jr. falls to this pick, the Commanders taking him right before the Vikings would drive Minnesota absolutely nuts.
For the longest time, Stingley had been talked about as a guaranteed top-five player whenever he left LSU and it appears that could still be the case with some rumors of him being a target of the Texans at pick 3 overall ramping up.
With that being said, the playmaking defensive back would be tremendous for the Washington Commanders, who could use help at both corner and receiver early in this draft.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
Missing out on Stingley Jr. in this mock draft scenario, it would be fascinating to see what the Vikings would do.
They not only miss out on Stingley Jr., but they also missed out on the top pass rushers.
The Vikings could do a lot worse than going after one of the most freakishly gifted athletes anyone has ever seen on the defensive line in Jordan Davis.
The main issue with Jordan Davis at this point has been the fact that he doesn’t really play the vast majority of snaps. Georgia kept him fresh and played him on a rather limited snap count, so how will he translate to the NFL?
I’m sure with his athletic makeup, he could absolutely handle a bigger snap count in the NFL and be a force for a team like Minnesota.
13. Houston Texans: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Houston Texans need help in their defensive backfield desperately.
Again, the rumor right now is that they are going to go Derek Stingley Jr. at pick number three overall, but what if they go with an EDGE up top?
Trent McDuffie could be a nice consolation prize.
He may not have the same measurables as guys like Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley, but McDuffie has been outstanding for Washington and very productive, showing a physical style of play and an aggressive mentality to attack the ball in the air.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
With their first pick among many (what else is new?) in this year’s draft, the Baltimore Ravens upgrade in the trenches with Boston College’s rapidly rising offensive guard prospect Zion Johnson.
Although this wouldn’t be the sexiest pick the Ravens could make, there has been a lot of turnover on their offensive line in recent years and Johnson could provide some stability at the guard position.
This is a team that loves to run the ball and having the right pieces on the offensive line is key to offensive consistency.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Drake London, WR, USC
Could we really see this long of a wait for the first wide receiver to come off the board?
I highly doubt it, but mock draft simulators aren’t perfect, either.
With that being said, I do like the idea of Drake London pairing up with DeVonta Smith in Philadelphia and giving the Eagles a dynamic duo at one of the game’s most important position groups.
What Drake London does for a quarterback is increase the margin for error. He has such a broad catch radius and simply doesn’t let the ball hit the ground when it’s thrown in his vicinity.
I think whatever NFL team gets him is going to be absolutely thrilled with the early returns, even though London is coming off of injury.
16. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
What is the deal with the Saints’ trade with the Eagles to get an additional first-round pick in this year’s draft?
Are the Saints trying to move up for a QB? Do they really just want multiple starters from this year’s Draft that bad?
There’s no doubt that New Orleans needs a tackle, they need a receiver, and they could go QB here.
The simulator liked Garrett Wilson in this slot over Charles Cross, who is plummeting at this point. I don’t see that happening but Garrett Wilson for the Saints would be a very solid pick.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
The Los Angeles Chargers invested quite a bit to make their defense better in 2022.
They made the blockbuster trade for pass rusher Khalil Mack of the Chicago Bears, who will now pair up with Joey Bosa to give the Chargers potentially the best pass rush duo in the league if both guys can stay healthy.
In the defensive backfield, they added JC Jackson, who has had 17 interceptions over the last two seasons.
Here, they add Devonte Wyatt, one of the best pass-rushing interior defensive linemen in this year’s draft class. Wyatt could take advantage of all the matchups he would get with Bosa and Mack attracting so much attention and give the Chargers a fearsome front.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
The Eagles missed out on the top cornerbacks in this year’s class, at least in this simulation, so why not take the next best thing for the defensive backfield?
Daxton Hill may not be a pure cornerback, but he can play safety, he can play in the box, he can play in the slot, and he can be a huge help to a team like Philadelphia which needs an influx of talent in Jonathan Gannon’s defensive backfield.
Hill is a fast, explosive defender with outstanding versatility. That versatility makes him consistently available which NFL coaches are going to love.
19. New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Amazingly, Kenny Pickett lasted in this simulation all the way to the 19th overall selection where the New Orleans Saints broke his fall.
With rumors that the Saints could be ready to package their two first-round picks to move up for someone like Pickett, I think they would be thrilled by this scenario.
After all the talk of Pickett’s hand size being an issue, you can’t help but wonder if there will be lingering concerns from NFL teams or if he will just go to the Panthers at 6 like everyone has thought since the Senior Bowl.
I think the Saints could do worse than Garrett Wilson and Kenny Pickett with their two first-round picks.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Steelers, in this scenario, have to be frustrated.
I don’t know that any other team has been more connected to the QBs in this draft than the Steelers, who said goodbye to Ben Roethlisberger this offseason and welcomed in former first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky.
With Trubisky on board, there’s no desperate need to pick a QB here, but at the same time, there kind of is.
The Steelers are rumored to love Malik Willis more than anyone in this Draft and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them maybe move up to the 7th pick or so and get the guy they want the most.
21. New England Patriots: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Despite suffering a torn ACL in the National Championship game, there’s still a chance that Alabama’s Jameson Williams could be the top wide receiver off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft.
That says a lot about who he is as a player, which we saw on full display in 2021.
Believe it or not, Williams was once at Ohio State where he struggled to find playing time behind the likes of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and future first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
So he transferred to Alabama and averaged 20 yards per reception with 15 touchdowns in a breakout year.
Williams’ unbelievable speed would be a big-time addition for the Patriots’ offense but New England had better hope that Williams doesn’t land with a division rival.
22. Green Bay Packers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The most surprising free-fall of this particular mock draft simulation wasn’t Kenny Pickett or Jameson Williams, it was Charles Cross falling all the way to 22.
I’m sure the Green Bay Packers would be thrilled because it would prevent them from the crazy idea of drafting a wide receiver in round one.
All kidding aside, Cross should be going at least 15 picks sooner than this so the Packers would be coming away with a steal.
Do they need an immediate starter at left tackle? No, but perhaps Cross could start his career off on the right side and take over on the left whenever the Packers move on from David Bakhtiari.
23. Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Arizona Cardinals let Chandler Jones walk in 2022 free agency, and he ended up signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Thanks a lot, Cardinals.
Although Arizona did make some moves in the 2022 offseason, they didn’t really do anything to move the needle in terms of replacing Jones off the edge.
George Karlaftis would be a tremendous value for the Cardinals here as a guy many were projecting to be a top-10 pick a handful of months ago.
Karlaftis doesn’t have ideal length and he isn’t as dynamic as some other pass rushers in this class, so there has been some recent talk of him falling out of round one completely.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys had to trade Amari Cooper due to their cap situation in 2022 and I don’t think that decision is sitting well with Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys have been sniffing around a variety of this year’s top wide receivers and even though they took CeeDee Lamb in the first round just two years ago, they could go with a receiver in round one again this year.
The simulator picked Chris Olave here, and he would be a great pick. The Cowboys could also go with Treylon Burks, who played for Jerry Jones’ alma mater, Arkansas.
25. Buffalo Bills: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Just a couple of months ago, I felt like Treylon Burks was going to light up the Scouting Combine and become the unquestioned WR1 in this year’s Draft after the emergence this past season of Deebo Samuel with the San Francisco 49ers.
Unfortunately, Burks had one of the most disappointing Scouting Combine performances of any player in this year’s draft class.
As a result, he’s likely going to slip to the back half of round one, if not further.
That would be no issue for teams targeting value at receiver like the Bills, who would be adding to their embarrassment of riches overall on this loaded roster.
26. Tennessee Titans: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
This was one of the more interesting picks of the mock draft simulation.
The Titans took Isaiah Wilson in the first round just a couple of years ago and he was cut rather quickly for off-field issues.
They followed that up by picking Dillon Radunz out of North Dakota State who could be the projected starter at right tackle in 2022.
If the Titans view Radunz more as a guard, Penning could step in and be an immediate starter at the right tackle position and he certainly fits what they look for in terms of his nasty demeanor.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing everything they possibly can to keep their Super Bowl team from two seasons ago intact, but the NFL’s salary cap is making that rather difficult.
At the cornerback position, the Bucs were able to bring back Carlton Davis but this was a position group they really struggled in 2021 and ended up bringing in a variety of free agents to try and help throughout the season.
Andrew Booth could be a great fit for new head coach Todd Bowles’ aggressive defense with the way he attacks the ball and creates turnovers.
28. Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Finally, the Green Bay Packers take a wide receiver in the first round.
There’s some serious hype building for Jahan Dotson these days, so he may not be sitting on the board here for the Packers, but I think this could be a nice fit for them.
Sure, the Packers have Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and recently acquired Sammy Watkins. None of those players comes close to the impact Davante Adams has on games, so Green Bay might consider moving some of their picks for a player like Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, or whatever other receivers might be available.
Jahan Dotson really stepped up as a complete receiver for Penn State last season and proved his worth as a potential WR1 despite not being a big-bodied player at the position.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The Denver Broncos’ biggest rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, currently own back-to-back picks near the end of the first round after the blockbuster Tyreek Hill trade with the Miami Dolphins.
Although the Chiefs could go a variety of directions with these picks, I think taking the best edge rusher on the board here would be a wise move.
Once upon a time, Boye Mafe was a favorite mock draft pick from Broncos fans because of his high RAS score and consistent availability on day two of those mock draft projections.
The hype surrounding Mafe has risen in recent weeks and he’s now a legit first-round option for many teams picking on the back end.
With his combination of size and athleticism, he would be a great fit for the Kansas City defensive front.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
No, Skyy Moore does not run a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash. He’s not Tyreek Hill. But that doesn’t mean he can’t have a significant impact on games.
In fact, I would love to see the Denver Broncos somehow find a way to come away with him in this year’s Draft.
I was surprised to see the simulator take Moore off the board this early, but if the Chiefs are prioritizing receiver with one of their two first-round picks, Moore has to be a consideration given how the board could fall before this.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Going into the 2021 college football season, Texas A&M had one of the most hyped rosters in the country and Kenyon Green was one of the top players in focus.
The big-time offensive line prospect was going to play left tackle and prove to the NFL world that he could stick there for the foreseeable future.
Although left tackle remains “an” option for Green, I think he’s best suited for the interior offensive line but he has proven to be a quality starter at a variety of positions on the line.
For the Bengals, who have taken on a massive makeover on the offensive line in 2022, Green could be a starting left guard from day one.
32. Detroit Lions: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Detroit Lions went with an EDGE early in this mock draft scenario, and here they get one of the country’s best overall defensive players in Devin Lloyd.
Lloyd was an absolute monster for the Utes in 2021, racking up 111 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four interceptions, and six passes broken up.
It was truly a remarkable season for Lloyd who would become the leader of this young Lions defense under coordinator Aaron Glenn.
How do Denver Broncos fare in full three-round 2022 NFL mock draft?
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The Jaguars come back in round two after picking Aidan Hutchinson first overall with one of the more underrated defenders on that vaunted Georgia defense.
Lewis Cine is going to be a stud for a long time in the NFL.
34. Detroit Lions: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Lions throw a dart at the QB board here with Sam Howell, who was the projected top overall pick by many for a very long time.
35. New York Jets: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Jets went with a corner and tackle in round one, and they go for an injured edge here. Although I like Ojabo’s potential, Jets fans would probably riot over not taking a receiver.
36. New York Giants: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
What is in the water at Penn State? This team has had some outstanding athletes coming out in recent years, notably on the defensive front. Ebiketie is a high-upside pass rusher who would be a good pick for the Giants.
37. Houston Texans: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The best center in this year’s draft is a great value in round two for the Houston Texans, who continue to build the roster from the ground up. Linderbaum is a nice foundation piece for the offensive line.
38. New York Jets: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Every time you watched the Georgia Bulldogs play in 2021, number 17 constantly popped off the screen. Even though Nakobe Dean isn’t the biggest linebacker, he’s an impact player and very fun to watch.
39. Chicago Bears: Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa
The Bears’ offensive line is a shambles. They need all the help they can get and I think Tyler Smith would be a day one starter at guard or tackle, even if he’s going to need to take some lumps as a young player.
40. Seattle Seahawks: Logan Hall, EDGE, Houston
After taking Desmond Ridder in round one, the Seahawks come back with an outstanding value in the versatile Logan Hall here at pick 40.
41. Seattle Seahawks: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Bernhard Raimann is a converted tight end with outstanding athleticism. He could step in as the starting left tackle immediately for the Seahawks, who have yet to re-sign Duane Brown at this point.
42. Indianapolis Colts: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Christian Watson is one of the freakiest athletes you will see at the wide receiver position. He turned some heads at the Senior Bowl.
43. Atlanta Falcons: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
It’s easy for some of the star players to get lost in the shuffle on this Georgia defense, but there are some out there who like Quay Walker more than Nakobe Dean.
44. Cleveland Browns: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The Cleveland Browns don’t have a first-round pick this year, but George Pickens would give them first-round value at a position they need to address in this class.
45. Baltimore Ravens: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Ravens always seem to get great value, and Kyler Gordon would be exactly that here. He’s going to be an ace special teams player immediately with starter upside on the outside or as a nickel.
46. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Christian Harris is another smaller linebacker prospect but he has outstanding speed. He plays with a killer instinct and is a heat-seeking missile who would thrive with Ed Donatell coaching him up.
47. Washington Commanders: Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
The simulator didn’t want to take a weapon for Carson Wentz here, but they got him some additional protection up front.
48. Chicago Bears: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
The Bears already took Tyler Smith in this mock draft simulation, but he could play left tackle or left guard while Daniel Faalele could step into a starting spot at the right tackle position.
Protect Justin Fields so he can thrive.
Second round, picks 49-64
49. New Orleans Saints: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Saints went out and signed Marcus Maye in free agency and here they get him someone to roam around the back end with.
50. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
The Chiefs have a ton of picks in this year’s draft and if they aren’t satisfied with just the addition of Justin Reid at safety, Jalen Pitre is another very underrated player who has hybrid potential at the next level.
51. Philadelphia Eagles: Tariq Woolen, DB, UTSA
Speaking of hybrid, Tariq Woolen is one of the more unique specimens you will see at the cornerback position with sub-4.3 speed and a 6-foot-4 frame.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
After going with a corner in round one, the Steelers continue to upgrade the defense here with DeMarvin Leal who was consistently predicted as a high first-round pick early in the 2021 season.
53. Green Bay Packers: Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
The Packers got themselves offensive help in round one, and here they use the other pick in the Davante Adams trade to upgrade their interior defensive line situation.
54. New England Patriots: Jamaree Salyer, IOL, Georgia
The Patriots traded away Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers and lost Ted Karras to the Bengals, so interior offensive line help should be on the way in this draft.
55. Arizona Cardinals: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
The Cardinals re-signed James Conner this offseason but they did let Trey Edmunds go. How badly are they itching to replace him?
In this simulation, they make Breece Hall the first back off the board all the way at pick 55.
56. Dallas Cowboys: Josh Paschal, EDGE, Kentucky
Paschal doesn’t have ideal length but he’s an explosive athlete and he would help the Cowboys replace Denver Broncos free agent signing Randy Gregory in the pass rush department.
57. Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Again, the rich getting richer. Isaiah Spiller would be fun to watch in this Buffalo Bills offense as one of the more well-rounded backs in the class with three down abilities. Fantasy football players would be all over this.
58. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The craziness of the NFL Draft in a nutshell. In a few days, Corral could be a first-round pick and this will look hilarious.
59. Green Bay Packers: Dylan Parham, IOL, Memphis
The Packers got Charles Cross in round one and they continue to add young, athletic studs to the offensive line here with Dylan Parham who can play any position up front.
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darian Kinnard, IOL, Kentucky
The Bucs lost not one but two starting guards in 2022. Although Shaq Mason can take over one of those starting spots, they may need a rookie to take over the other.
61. San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
Cameron Thomas was one of the most productive pass rushers in the country this past season and he would give the 49ers another weapon on the defensive front with positional versatility.
62. Kansas City Chiefs: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Finally, the Chiefs address the cornerback position after losing Charvarius Ward to the 49ers in free agency. McCreary would be a nice value here.
63. Cincinnati Bengals: Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati
The Bengals upgraded their offensive line in round one and get another athletic option to throw into the defensive backfield here in round two. Bryan Cook won’t have to move far in this scenario.
64. Denver Broncos: Travis Jones, DL, Connecticut
And finally, the Denver Broncos make a selection.
There were a number of intriguing prospects still on the board here that I had to choose from, but ultimately, I went with the ultra-athletic defensive lineman out of Connecticut to join the Broncos’ revamped defensive front.
Jones had eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his last two seasons for the Huskies and posted an impressive 9.37 RAS score.
The defensive line is a low-key need for the Broncos with Dre’Mont Jones entering a contract year and Mike Purcell struggling the last two seasons with injuries.
2022 NFL mock draft: Third round picks (65-80)
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
A fan favorite of many Denver Broncos fans, Chad Muma gives the Jaguars a replacement option for Myles Jack who was let go this offseason.
66. Detroit Lions: Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
Only the second back off the board in this mock draft simulation, Walker stays close to home and heads to the Detroit Lions to pair up with 2020 second-round pick D’Andre Swift.
67. New York Giants: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The groans from Broncos Country would be heard all across the country. Trey McBride becomes the first tight end off the board in this simulation but not to Denver — he lands with the New York Giants.
68. Houston Texans: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State
Somewhat of a surprise pick in this mock draft simulation, the Texans — who need a lead back — grab the ultra-athletic Rachaad White out of Arizona State.
69. New York Jets: David Bell, WR, Purdue
The Jets finally get a receiver to pair up with Elijah Moore in this mock draft scenario. The smart money is on them taking one much higher than this.
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
Isaiah Likely really disappointed with his pre-draft metrics but his tape is intriguing. He pairs up with Evan Engram in this scenario as one of the bigger reaches in the top 70 picks.
71. Chicago Bears: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
The Chicago Bears have so many needs. John Metchie III is not as dynamic as some of his former teammates at Alabama but he’s solid value here at pick 71.
72. Seattle Seahawks: Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
The Seahawks love bigger, athletic cornerbacks so Alontae Taylor would make some sense here even if he’s a bit of a reach according to some boards.
73. Indianapolis Colts: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
If Broncos fans weren’t groaning when Trey McBride came off the board, they would be here with Nik Bonitto going two picks before Denver is on the clock again at 75.
74. Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Austin, WR, Memphis
Another potential target for the Denver Broncos, Calvin Austin is small but is a big-time athlete with the playmaker gene.
75. Denver Broncos: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
After taking Travis Jones with that 64th overall pick, the Denver Broncos land USC pass rusher Drake Jackson here in what could be one of the top steals of the 2022 NFL Draft.
I’m not sure why Jackson has been falling so far in projections but he was once a viable target for the Broncos at pick number nine overall.
Here, he gives the Denver Broncos a player pretty comparable to Randy Gregory size-wise and in terms of his play style, and I think if the Broncos don’t land Nik Bonitto in this slot, Jackson would be an even better alternative.
76. Baltimore Ravens: Zachary Carter, DL, Florida
The Ravens’ defensive line has gotten old in recent years, so some new blood is needed. This is not an overly deep defensive line class so we may see them attack this position group sooner.
77. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
The Vikings missed out on Derek Stingley Jr. in round one but they get a very aggressive player in Cam Taylor-Brit here in round three. He could start for them as a rookie. I think he’s an option for the Denver Broncos at pick 64 as well.
78. Cleveland Browns: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss
The Browns need help off the edge and at this point, they have opted not to bring back Jadeveon Clowney. Sam Williams has the type of traits to really excel as an NFL rusher.
79. Los Angeles Chargers: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
An absolute bully at inside linebacker, Leo Chenal was one of the best in the country this past season at attacking the line of scrimmage and making plays behind it.
80. Houston Texans: Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
Another undersized but athletic off-ball linebacker in a class that is absolutely full of them. The Texans keep on building with an impressive draft class to this point.
2022 NFL mock draft, remaining third-round picks
81. New York Giants: Cole Strange, OL, Chattanooga
The Giants continue to add to their offensive line and get a potential day one starter at center in Cole Strange to start the third round.
82. Atlanta Falcons: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
Jeremy Ruckert had a hard time coming by targets at Ohio State with their plethora of receivers, but he should be a nice option to pair up with Kyle Pitts as more of an in-line guy.
83. Philadelphia Eagles: Ed Ingram, OL, LSU
At this stage of the draft, we could see a huge run on interior offensive linemen with week one starting potential. Ed Ingram is in that group of prospects, for sure.
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
The Steelers flirted with the idea of signing Tyrann Mathieu before re-signing Terrell Edmunds. Perhaps a player like Maryland’s Nick Cross could be an appealing option here in the middle of round three for them.
85. New England Patriots: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
The Georgia defense is the gift that keeps on giving. The Patriots love players from Georgia and Alabama, and they need linebacker help. Tindall would make a lot of sense here.
86. Las Vegas Raiders: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OL, Ohio State
We have already seen the meat of the Raiders’ 2022 offseason with the acquisitions of Davante Adams and Chandler Jones. Adding a lineman like Petit-Frere here who could start week one? That would be the cherry on top.
87. Arizona Cardinals: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
Wan’Dale Robinson and Rondale Moore on the same team? Cue up the pointing Spiderman memes.
88. Dallas Cowboys: Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska
Cam Jurgens is graded by some as a top 50 overall player in this class. The Cowboys would probably love to be able to add him here at pick 88 overall.
89. Buffalo Bills: Josh Williams, CB, Fayetteville State
The top need for this Bucs team, at least in my humble opinion after watching the debacle in the playoffs, is cornerback. To not address it until 89 would be a bold strategy.
90. Tennessee Titans: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Alec Pierce has been rising among the NFL Draft community in recent weeks. He’s a big-bodied receiver with outstanding speed.
91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalen Tolbert, WR, Alabama State
No more Antonio Brown, and Chris Godwin is recovering from injury. I think the Bucs could go receiver higher than this but Jalen Tolbert at the end of round three is a nice value.
92. Green Bay Packers: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
The Packers re-signed Robert Tonyan but only to a one-year deal. There are some out there who have Greg Dulcich as their top tight end prospect in this class.
93. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
Even after signing Charvarius Ward, the 49ers need help in the defensive backfield and it’s going to be hard for NFL teams not to love Coby Bryant, who plays with the utmost confidence in himself.
94. Kansas City Chiefs: James Cook, RB, Georgia
The Chiefs’ running game has struggled, surprisingly, since drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round a couple of years ago.
James Cook would bring more speed and pass-catching ability to an already scary offense.
95. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
The Bengals here add maybe the best return specialist in the entire 2022 Draft class. Marcus Jones is small, but he is a playmaker who could step in as a nickel right away as an NFL rookie. He will undoubtedly make an impact on special teams.
96. Denver Broncos: Danny Gray, WR, SMU
I’m going to continue to bang the table for the Denver Broncos to draft a wide receiver early in this class. It’s a premium position, and guys like John Brown, David Moore, and Kendall Hinton were playing rather substantial snaps for this team a season ago.
Danny Gray may not be overly hyped at this point but he is a big-play receiver with legit 4.33 speed who could be insurance for KJ Hamler and a great option in case one of the Broncos’ top four guys goes down with an injury, which is borderline inevitable at some point.
97. Detroit Lions: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
The Lions take the athletic tackle prospect Abraham Lucas to help protect Jared Goff. Or Sam Howell. Will the Denver Broncos regret passing on Lucas, who profiles well as a potential starter in their offense as well?
98. New Orleans Saints: Cade Otton, TE, Washington
Cade Otton is beloved by some in the NFL Draft community and is considered arguably the top true “Y” tight end in this class.
Injuries have prevented him from showing what he can do in the pre-draft process but he has starter upside in year one. A lot of Denver Broncos fans like him as the Noah Fant replacement.
99. Cleveland Browns: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
One of the most versatile players you’ll ever see coming from the college ranks, the conference player of the year as both a quarterback and linebacker. He has become a pre-draft favorite of many Denver Broncos fans.
100. Baltimore Ravens: Tyreke Smith, EDGE, Ohio State
The Ravens land some more help for their defensive front in what is shaping up to be a rather underwhelming draft class by this simulation.
101. Philadelphia Eagles: Micheal Clemons, DL, Texas A&M
The Eagles get a late riser in the draft process off the edge here in Micheal Clemons, who has outstanding length and explosiveness.
102. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Again, what’s in the water at Penn State? Brandon Smith could be this year’s version of Denver Broncos 2021 third-round pick Baron Browning and he becomes the top pick of the Miami Dolphins in this simulation.
103. Kansas City Chiefs: John Ridgeway, DL, Arkansas
The Chiefs, with their plethora of picks, just continue to add to the defensive side of the ball. This pick would be nothing for the Denver Broncos to be overly scared of.
104. Los Angeles Rams: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
The Los Angeles Rams, the final team to make its first selection after their trade with the Denver Broncos further depleted their 2022 NFL Draft capital, go with another outstanding athlete at the linebacker position in this draft class, which again, is loaded with them.
Broncos 2022 NFL 7-round mock draft decided by a computer simulation
How would the 2022 NFL Draft turn out for the Denver Broncos if every selection was made by a mock draft simulator? Let's evaluate all 9 picks.
105. San Francisco 49ers: Spencer Burford, IOL, UTSA
After losing Laken Tomlinson in free agency, the 49ers take a versatile offensive line prospect who could come in and contribute in year one.