Denver Broncos NFL Draft Picks: 2019 Round-by-Round Results, Grades

How will the Broncos use their picks in the 2019 NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection.

Author:
Michael Shapiro
Publish date:
Apr 25, 2019

The Broncos will have the No. 10 pick in the 2019 draft after finishing third in the AFC West at 6–10 last season. Denver will ride with a new starting quarterback in 2019 after trading for Joe Flacco in February.

Denver selected Bradley Chubb with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 draft. The NC State product tallied 12 sacks and 60 tackles, forcing two fumbles.

How will the Broncos use their picks in this year's NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below, with grades from The MMQB's Andy Benoit.

Here's the full list of picks the Broncos hold in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.

Round 1, Pick 20 (No. 20 overall):

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Andy Benoit's grade: B-

Fant is a revered receiving talent, but he was not asked to block much at Iowa in a system that puts a premium on tight end blocking. What do we make of that? Denver’s incumbent tight end, Jeff Heuerman, is a serviceable starter at best, and you don’t take a player in the first-round with ideas of making him a backup. Fant is here to contribute, but it’s hard to imagine he CAN without becoming a respectable blocker. Heuerman doesn’t inspire a team to employ more two-tight end sets, and with Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton and presumably last year’s fourth-rounder DaeSean Hamilton, the Broncos can feel good about their three-receiver package. As a receiver, Fant is gifted, but some feel his route running needs to be polished. Given that and the questions about his blocking, we could be looking at a No. 2 tight end for 2019, but one with upside.

Round 2, Pick 9 (No. 41 overall): Dalton Risner, T, Kansas State

Andy Benoit's grade: B+

This is as simple as the Broncos addressing their biggest need, as this interior offensive line was in dire straits in 2018. Connor McGovern has struggled too often in one-on-one scenarios at right guard, while left guard Ronald Leary is coming off an Achilles injury and can be cut in 2020 for $8.5M in cap savings. Either of those men could be replaced, except there is also a vacancy at center, with Matt Paradis now in Carolina. Risner can play anywhere; most likely the team will choose to plug him into their weakest spot.

Round 2, Pick 10 (No. 42 overall): Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

Andy Benoit's grade: C

John Elway had a big arm and that’s what he looks for in a QB. Hence the trade for Joe Flacco and now the trade up to get flamethrower Drew Lock. The question is whether Lock can refine his mechanics and decision-making, which is hard to do after joining the NFL. With Flacco aboard, Lock will be given time.

Round 3, Pick 7 (No. 71 overall): Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

Andy Benoit's grade: B

The Broncos have had success finding quality defensive tackles in the early middle rounds. Scouts love Jones’s one-gapping athleticism.

Round 5, Pick 18 (No. 156 overall): Justin Hollins, LB, Oregon

Round 6, Pick 15 (No. 187 overall): Juwann Winfree, WR, Colorado

See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below.