2022 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos benefit from run on receivers in first round
The Denver Broncos benefitted from the six wide receivers taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos still currently own the final pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. With six wide receivers taken in the first round on Thursday, that means that some players that may have been in contention to be selected earlier are still on the board.
There has been some talk of wide receiver actually being the team’s pick at 64, but I really doubt it at this point.
So, what is the other option?
It is possible that teams will start going after players the Broncos have high on their draft board. We should pay attention to edge rushers, cornerbacks, and linebackers.
If some of the players in those positions the team loves start to fall closer and closer to 64, we might just see a trade up. How about if word is getting out about a team picking early in the second round being interested in a guy the Broncos like?
Based on the fact that general manager George Paton has stated his love for draft picks, it does seem likely that they’ll overspend on a move up the draft board. However, there are players some expected to go somewhere in the first round that ultimately fell to day two.
I do believe in my heart that the Broncos could afford a guy like linebacker David Ojabo, who will miss his rookie year due to a severe injury. Something tells me that they won’t go that route, though.
With Nakobe Dean and Arnold Ebiketie sitting there, could the team look to move up a couple of spots?
Maybe a guy like cornerback Roger McCreary, who the Broncos met with, is in trade-up range. The Broncos can use that help at cornerback because of not only the seemingly unlikely return of Kyle Fuller but also the fact that the team suffered several injuries to the position last year. That could happen again.
Then there’s fan-favorite tight end Trey McBride. Though some believed he could climb into the back end of the first round, McBride is still on the board entering the second round. Adding McBride to the Broncos’ offense to pair with Albert Okwuegbunam would be a lot of fun for Russell Wilson following the trade involving Noah Fant.
There are still some extremely talented players on the board and even if the Broncos do not trade up, they can still get a good one. They just can afford to use trade capital to move up if they feel the right player is there.