Broncos Take Clemson LB Trenton Simpson in PFF Mock Draft
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With the Denver Broncos’ selection acquired via the Bradly Chubb trade finally reaching its resting place at the No. 29 overall in the 2023 NFL draft, fans can now start to ponder which players could be added to a roster in need of some young, exciting talent.
The Broncos very well might not have this pick by the time April rolls around if it is traded to New Orleans for Sean Payton's coaching rights. For now, though, players will continue to be mocked to the Broncos near the back end of the first round.
ESPN's Mel Kiper stated in a recent interview that he, along with several execs he speaks with around the league, view the 2023 NFL draft as a 'down' class. Considering how varied the opinions are on the talent available in the middle of the first all the way through Day 2 this season, draft czars like Kiper have had a very hard time filling out a top-150 big board. However, even if it is a down year in the draft (likely in part due to so many underclassmen returning to school thanks to NIL), there will be talent available.
With the perceived drop-off in talent in the draft this season, many mock drafts have matched the Broncos with needs at offensive line or EDGE in their mocks this early in the cycle. Taking a different view on the Broncos, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema mocked Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson to the Broncos in his most recent mock.
Offensive line could be an important need for the Broncos to address at the backend of the first round, but with most of the potential first-round offensive linemen already off the board in this mock, they go with talent over need and take Simpson, a very athletic linebacker who has some of the fastest pursuit ability of any defender in the class.
The Broncos do have question marks at linebacker as the team enters the offseason. While Josey Jewell is back next year on the two-year contract he signed last offseason, Alex Singleton is set to hit free agency following a surprisingly excellent season in Denver. The Broncos will also get back the young but talented Jonas Griffith, who was slated to start along Jewell this season before dealing with a number of ailments, including a foot injury that shelved him for the back half of the season.
If the Broncos would consider an off-ball linebacker, it would likely be dependent on the scheme the team will utilize next season. Despite defensive coordinator Ejero Evero still being on staff in Denver, it seems exceedingly unlikely he and his love of the penny front defense (two edge rushers, three interior offensive linemen, one off-ball linebacker) will be back for 2023.
If the Broncos continue to live in a 3-4 defense world or shift to a defense that plays lighter boxes with two-high safety shells behind them, then a linebacker like Simpson might not make the most sense. Simpson plays linebacker more like a defensive back.
In coverage, in space, and in pursuit, Simpson displays an obvious athleticism that the Broncos have not had in the middle of their defense for some time. However, he is a highly questionable player in terms of deconstructing blocks and processing opposing offenses from a more traditional linebacker role.
Simpson appears to be much more of a WILL linebacker for a 4-3 defense that could use him in space and in coverage. However, with limited size and ability as a run defender in the box, he likely is an odd fit for teams transitioning away from Cover 3 heavy defenses.
Why play an athletic linebacker in space that might not be good enough to play in the box when a team can play a defensive back in space instead? This a question many teams have been grappling with, and one teams will likely debate with Simpson this draft cycle.
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