DENVER BRONCOS MOCK DRAFT: TEAM FILLS MOST OF THEIR NEEDS, INCLUDING QUARTERBACK

The Denver Broncos' path back to relevancy can be ignited with a strong 2024 NFL Draft. Would this draft class help the team get back to winning? The NFL Draft is getting closer and closer, and with that comes more mock draft goodness. The Broncos are set to pick 12th overall. However, there could be a major reason for the team to move up or down the draft board.

If they were to move up, selecting QB JJ McCarthy from Michigan could be the pick. If they move down, perhaps the Broncos would rather have QB Bo Nix from Oregon. Heck, maybe the team isn't going to draft a QB in the first round at all. With a glaring need at the position, plus a plethora of other needs, this Broncos mock draft is a very good long-term situation for the team.

35th Overall (via ARI) - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

I definitely risked it trading down 23 picks to the 35th overall selection, but it worked. Bo Nix is a very good, almost perfect fit for Sean Payton's offense, so I think he could come in and be a day one starter for the team. Nix has adequate arm strength and can make plays with his legs if needed. He's also had several different offensive coordinators during his time in college, so he's proven to be able to pick up a new offense efficiently.

61st Overall (via DET) - Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

In my view, trading down for Bo Nix, acquiring a second-rounder from that trade down, and using that new pick on Ja'Tavion Sanders might be the most ideal scenario for Denver. I have done a ton of mock drafts, and many of them have the Broncos taking Nix at the bottom of the first or top of the second, and Sanders deeper into the second round.

He's the best receiving tight end in this class and would fill a huge need on offense for the Broncos. With Josh Reynolds now in the picture, adding Sanders quietly makes the play-makers quite good.

73rd Overall (via DET) - Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

The Denver Broncos signed Malcolm Roach to boost their run defense, but he should be viewed much more as a depth signing. With the team still having a below-average defensive line, I opted to select Kris Jenkins, son of former NFL start Kris Jenkins. I'd expect Denver to add at least one defensive tackle or EDGE rusher during the 2024 NFL Draft, and being able to get Jenkins at 73 is very good value.

76th Overall - Sedrick Van Pran, OC, Georgia

Getting a stud center prospect in the building should only raise the floor of that unit, which currently features Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg. It's a shaky unit at this point unless one of Forsyth or Wattenberg takes a step forward. Adding Sedrick Van Pran in the third round is solid value and keeps with Sean Payton's history in investing into his offensive lines.

121st Overall - Kalen King, CB, Penn State

The Broncos have a need at CB, and I frankly don't care if they are still hoping for Damarri Mathis to breakout or for Riley Moss to do the same in 2024. The unit is suspect at best outside of Patrick Surtain II and Ja'Quan McMillian, so adding someone like Kalen King to the mix gives Denver another young cornerback with a chance to develop into a starter.

136th Overall - Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

Jaylen Wright carried the football 368 times during his college career at Tennessee and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He's not much of a receiving threat but the Denver Broncos should at least bring a new face into the backfield, as their run game in 2023 was truly nothing special.

Javonte Williams is also entering the last year of his rookie deal in 2024 and has not done nearly enough to warrant being re-signed at this point.

145th Overall - Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU

Transferring to LSU for 2023 after playing four years at West Virginia, Jordan Jefferson had seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2023 for the Tigers. He had nine tackles for loss and three sacks in 2022 for the Mountaineers, so Jefferson clearly has the ability to get into the backfield. Doubling up on defensive tackles could be a very smart move for Denver.

203rd Overall - Sione Vaki, S, Utah

Sione Vaki was all over the place in 2023 for Utah, with 37 solo tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and two passes defended. The Broncos did add Brandon Jones to the safety room in free agency, but both PJ Locke III and Caden Sterns do still have some questions surronding them.

Can Locke build on his promising 2023, and can Sterns simply stay on the field? Adding some insurance at safety can't hurt.

207th Overall - Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona

Why not take another tight end? During his college career, Tanner McLachlan caught 79 passes for 984 yards and six touchdowns in 25 games. Picking this late in the NFL Draft, there truly isn't a ton of hope for these guys to make an impact on an NFL roster, but you never know.

2025 ARI 2nd

2025 DET 2nd

During my trading down fun, I was able to get two second-round picks in 2025. The Cardinals and Lions handed over their seconds to the Denver Broncos, which would give Denver three heading into 2025. Those three second-rounders could become insanely valuable if the team wanted to double-dip in the first round or move up to select a blue-chip prospect.

This article was originally published on predominantlyorange.com as Denver Broncos Mock Draft: Team fills most of their needs, including quarterback.

2024-03-28T13:14:59Z dg43tfdfdgfd