7-round mock draft: Denver Broncos land generational talent in offensive heavy class

As the annual NFL draft approaches in just a few months, the Denver Broncos are slated to make six selections with a varying amount of needs across their roster. Among those needs, quarterback, outside linebacker, and cornerback immediately stand out as the biggest weaknesses on Denver's roster and will likely consist of general manager George Paton's main focuses entering draft weekend.

However, with free agency still to come, this could impact Denver's plan for the draft. While the Broncos will most likely choose the 'best player available' approach, I still do expect them to possibly avoid specific positions that they address through free agency -- one of which I expect to be cornerback. Regardless, the Broncos front office will be under immense pressure to draft immediate contributors to the roster given the current state of the roster.

Full Denver Broncos 7-Round Mock Draft:

Round 1, Pick 23: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State:

The Broncos are in massive need of a dominant pass rusher in their outside linebacker room that can absorb the majority of attention from opposing offenses. Top edge rusher Jared Verse would bring exactly that to Denver and more. Broncos pass rushers Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, and Jonathon Cooper produced one of the worst pressure rates among other teams in the NFL in 2023 and would widely benefit from the addition of Verse in the first round.

Verse, 23, is ranked as one of the three best players at his position in the draft and is a projected top-15 pick in the draft. Therefore, selecting Verse 23rd overall would be incredible value for Denver to kick off their draft. Verse's bend off the edge, overall athleticism, and high motor would instantly boost Denver's pass-rushing attack.

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Round 2, Pick 42: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan:

Something in my gut tells me the Broncos are keeping it very internal that they like Michigan quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy. Now would they select him as high as the 12th overall pick? Most definitely not. But there are aspects of McCarthy's game to like, despite his unknowns. It is very apparent the Broncos will be searching for a new quarterback this offseason and I do not believe they will look to the free agent market for their 2024 starter.

McCarthy, at only 21 years old, is coming fresh off a national championship victory and his confidence is at an all-time high right now. His accuracy, arm talent, and frame at 6-foot-3 make him a very intriguing prospect. NFL scouts and executives seem to be much higher on McCarthy's ability and potential at the NFL level than many draft analysts and fans meaning the Broncos could get some respectable value with the 42nd overall pick.

Round 2, Pick 62: Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington:

I do believe there is a strong chance that this offseason will finally be the year we see either wide receiver Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy be traded and if it were to happen, I believe Sutton would be on his way out during the draft. In this trade, the Broncos would net a late second-round pick for Sutton while moving off of his contract and clearing up roughly $17.3M in 2024 cap space. Baltimore would add a skilled contested catch receiver coming off a 10-touchdown season while wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. hits free agency.

On the other end of the trade, the Broncos become younger at the wide receiver position by drafting the multi-talented wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk out of Washington. Polk, 21, caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 while becoming one of the nation's best receivers.

The Broncos are in dire need of more speed on their team across the board, primarily at receiver, and Polk would provide just that. Polk also adds a very versatile route tree that proves his readiness at the NFL level.

Round 3, Pick 81: Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia:

This one may come as a shocker to most, however, the draft is always unpredictable, especially for the Denver Broncos. This is a pick where I believe the Broncos will go BPA (best player available) and will immediately have their Week 1 starter. Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran would fit Sean Payton's zone-based run scheme very well and would be an immediate upgrade over Broncos pending free agent Lloyd Cushenberry in terms of run blocking.

Van Pran is well-known as a very skilled run blocker and very impressive at the point of attack. He utilizes his feet well in pass protection and moves fast for a 6-foot-4, 311-pound offensive lineman. Van Pran would add appreciated size to Denver's offensive line and would be an immediate contributor. Considering Cushenberry's expected wealthy market, the Broncos' best bet is becoming younger at the center position.

Round 4, Pick 121: Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State:

With tight end Greg Dulcich's injury concerns, the Broncos need to find a legitimate insurance option and competitor to Dulcich this offseason. Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell, who opened some eyes at the Senior Bowl this week, could be a sneaky good addition to Denver's tight end group.

Bell has above-average ball tracking and adjustment on catches, high-end speed, and an overall nice feel and vision of the field in open space.

Bell, 22, caught 95 passes for 1,260 yards and nine touchdowns in his four years in college football (first three at South Carolina). Bell will have to improve his route running and blocking ability before he becomes an immediate contributor at the NFL level, however, he has all the raw tools to provide immediate competition and stability to Denver's tight end room.

Round 5, Pick 143: Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson:

Perhaps a bit late to address the need of interior defensive line, however, the Broncos could look to address that position group through free agency as I had previously mentioned for cornerback. Regardless, the Broncos need to get younger up front and that starts with the defensive line. Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis' strong run defense and ability to disrupt offensive lines make him an intriguing selection in the fifth round.

Davis, 23, accumulated 30 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and 145 tackles in his five years at Clemson. His lengthy experience and impressive versatility are both strong traits that make him an interesting prospect on the third day of the draft.

Davis has the versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line and is just as effective in any of those positions. Because of that, the Broncos could strike gold in the fifth round.

Round 5, Pick 145: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice:

The Broncos decide to double-dip on the wide receiver position in this mock draft and choose to select Rice receiver Luke McCaffrey, brother of 49ers superstar running back Christian McCaffrey. How cool would it be for Luke McCaffrey to play for the same team that his father Ed McCaffrey once played for?

With this selection, Denver's wide receiver room would look like Jerry Jeudy, Marvin Mims Jr., Ja'Lynn Polk, Tim Patrick, and Luke McCaffrey -- a lot more speed than in previous years.

McCaffrey, 22, reeled in 71 receptions for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023 and also added 15 rushes for 117 rushing yards as well. McCaffrey could become a sneaky weapon out of the backfield and even on motion plays that head coach Sean Payton loves to utilize in his offense.

His vertical speed, flexibility, and catch radius are all above-average strengths he would provide for Denver's receiving unit. Not to mention, his impressive contested-catch ability could replace the absence of Courtland Sutton on Denver's roster along with Tim Patrick.

Round 5, Pick 174: Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State:

With Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. expected to have an increased role as a starter in 2024, the Broncos have to decide what they are going to do at the returner position. Perhaps, Denver can continue forward with Mims Jr. as their returner, however, I doubt Sean Payton will keep him at that position much longer while he tries to develop him at the receiver position with an increased snap count.

Therefore, selecting Penn State cornerback/kick returner Daequan Hardy could be a smart pick for the Broncos. Besides, this wouldn't be George Paton's first time trading up in the fifth round for a returner.

However, this time around, the selection of Hardy in the fifth round would be a more wise move than the selection of Montrell Washington in 2022. Hardy, 22, earned second-team All-American honors as a return specialist in 2023 and third-team All-Big Ten as a cornerback. Hardy, at 5-foot-9, is definitely on the smaller side of cornerbacks but should not discredit his potential as an NFL corner.

In his four years at Penn State, he recorded seven and a half tackles for loss, five interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Hardy also returned two punts for a touchdown and averaged an impressive 14.6 yards per punt return.

Hardy's raw ability is a bit concerning however, his elite speed and intangibles make him an intriguing prospect as a defensive back in the later rounds. The more speed in Denver, the better, because they are definitely lacking in that area.