Broncos 7-round mock draft based on holes exposed by 0-3 start
Six.
That's the number of NFL teams since 2007 that have made the playoffs after an 0-3 start. The Denver Broncos have lost those three games largely because they can’t keep from shooting themselves in the foot.
So could the Broncos turn it around and make a run? Sure, but there are so many issues with this team, it's highly doubtful.
With the playoffs looking like a long shot at best, it becomes a case of looking towards the NFL Draft. That sucks to say being that it's only Week 3, but the odds are just stacked against the Broncos.
Denver currently sits with the No. 5 overall pick, but with 13 games left to play, that is likely to change. Even so, for this mock draft, the Broncos will have the No. 5 overall pick. Denver has a lot of needs, but a strong draft would be a huge boost for them to turn it around.
In addition to three projected compensatory picks, the Broncos have an additional third-rounder from the Pittsburgh Steelers obtained via their trade-down in the first round of the 2019 draft. The Broncos traded Case Keenum and a 2020 seventh-round pick for the sixth-round pick in 2020 from the Washington Redskins.
Also, the Broncos traded a 2020 sixth-rounder, either their own or Washington's, to the New England Patriots for a 2020 seventh-round pick and Duke Dawson.
That gives Denver their own picks in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rounds. Additionally, the Broncos will either have their own or Washington's sixth, Pittsburgh’s third and a seventh from New England that could be one of four teams' seventh.
Those eight picks, plus the projected fifth and two seventh-round compensatory picks for Billy Turner, Max Garcia, and Tramaine Brock, respectively, give the Broncos 11 total picks.
With the Broncos' current win/loss record, how should that reshape the team's approach in the 2020 draft? Join me as I reveal a seven-round mock based around the issues that have been exposed on this three-game slide to open the season.
Round 1: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Skill-set: Wirfs is a versatile player that is capable of playing four of the five spots on the offensive line. He has plenty of strength in his game, and his technique is solid and improving the more he plays. There is work that needs to be done when run blocking, especially on the move, but he flashes greatness. A great athlete with very nimble feet and quickness to his game. I like his projection to play left tackle in the NFL, but he can play right tackle or either guard spot as well.
Why this pick: What things Wirfs needs to improve on are easily coachable and getting him working with Mike Munchak would be tremendous. Word is, Wrifs has a strong desire to grow and learn, which is a must for draft prospects. His versatility is an added bonus for a Broncos offensive line that is missing multiple pieces for the long-term. He would be a huge upgrade at left tackle, and could become a top left tackle quickly working under Munchak.
Round 2: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Skill-set: Such a great athlete and very versatile in what he brings to the table. He is only a redshirt sophmore so returning for his junior year is possible. However, he has an NFL skill-set and looked ready for the NFL already. His reaction time is so quick that he projects best into zone, but he's more than capable of hanging in there in man coverage. If you value run support and tackling, Wade's value only grows. Boundary or slot doesn’t matter, you can plug him in anywhere and he can play at a high level.
Why this pick: Denver's slide has revealed the secondary as a little weak, and they are set to lose Chris Harris, Jr. after this year, making that unit even weaker. The Broncos will need a huge boost at cornerback, and Wade is a perfect scheme fit for what Vic Fangio wants to do defensively. Fangio says tackling is a must from his defensive backs, and Wade is one of the best run support/tackling corners in the class.
Round 3 (via PIT): Willie Gay, LB, Mississippi State
Skill-set: A fast and athletic linebacker that can handle all sorts of coverage responsibility. In 2018, he allowed a 25.8 pass rating when targeted with two interceptions and two passes broken up. He is a playmaker at linebacker and has great sideline-to-sideline speed to make him even more enticing. When he gets blockers on him, though, it gets messy, and he has only played a limited number of reps. Gay's run defense will hurt his value overall, which if it doesn’t improve, will see him go later than his athleticism/coverage ability would suggest.
Why this pick: Fangio’s defense demands that athletic and quick linebacker that the Broncos are just missing. Josey Jewell has looked good, though he did get beat in coverage vs. the Packers. Todd Davis just came back from injury and the depth behind him is atrocious. Gay fits the Broncos' scheme and gives the team the type of player needed to really put things together. Adding that linebacker playmaker will be huge for the defense.
Round 3: Ashtyn Smith, S, Cal
Skill-set: The Cal safety can be moved around some in the secondary with his ability to play a deep coverage role, come down into the box, or move into the slot. Smith is very disciplined and doesn’t bite on play-action often, and when he does he has the recovery speed to make up for it quickly. A solid athlete with good ball skills that tackles well and is willing to mix it up.
Why this pick: Denver will need a replacement for Justin Simmons if they don’t bring him back and Ashtyn Smith is a very similar player. He is a good fit for the Fangio cover two, and brings the tackling that Fangio covets. With the trust he has in what he sees, he is rarely out of position, which is an issue the Broncos are having with their current safeties.
Round 4: Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
Skill-set: This pick really depends on his medical check after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. Depending on how the medicals come out, he could go higher, or lower than this. The uncertainty is why I have him here. When Smith is on the field, he is a good offensive lineman that projects best at guard in the NFL. He has good movement skills and plenty of power to more than hold his own at the NFL level. If there were no medical concerns, it is probably safe to say he would be looking at a second-round selection at the latest.
Why this pick: As stated above, it all depends on medical. If he checks out, adding Wirfs at left tackle and Smith at right guard would a huge boost to the offensive line and would shore up two of the Bronocs' weakest spots upfront. Smith, in an emergency, can play tackle, and with his raw power and improving technique, I would love to see what Munchak could make of Smith.
Round 5: Scott Frantz, OT, Kansas State
Skill-set: A solid tackle option that needs developing before being ready to start at the NFL level. Frantz has plenty of experience as a three-year starter for the Wildcats, and with heavy hands and a strong punch, edge rushers have some difficulty with him. He is a great blocker on the move and always looks for work.
Why this pick: Frantz's skill-set is still needing work, but more so a case of refinement and making consistent. Working with Munchak will help that, and having Dalton Risner, his former counterpart, will also help. There is some risk with this pick for a reason that doesn’t need to be said, but Risner should help with any problems that arise from that.
Round 5 (proj comp): Naquan Jones, DL, Michigan State
Skill-set: Being part of a rotation, Jones has to make the most of his reps and that is exactly what he does. He flashes his strength, quickness, and size whenever he is on the field. Jones is built to play nose tackle in an odd or even front, but you want him one-gapping with his quickness through the gap. There is so much to love about what he brings to the middle of the defense.
Why this pick: A quick one-gapping nose tackle that can hold their own with power against the run? That is exactly what the doctor ordered for Fangio’s scheme. A natural fit in the scheme, Jones would really boost the defensive line and his limited playing time is keeping his value low. If the Broncos keep Shelby Harris, getting Jones could allow Harris to play his more natural 5-tech spot.
Round 6 (via WAS): Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa
Skill-set: Stanley is a smart quarterback who has a good arm and runs a pro-style offense. There are a lot of technical errors that need to be cleaned up, but Stanley is willing to be coached and improve those areas. He has ideal NFL size and moves very well. His accuracy can be hit or miss, but it has been improving as his time in college has gone one.
Why this pick: Denver is working on developing Drew Lock, their 2019 second-round pick, but they can use another quarterback to develop along with him. Nate Stanley has a good skill-set and would be a great fit for the Broncos' offense. There is development needed, but he has NFL-starter potential. Stanley has it between the ears and a good physical skill-set. It would not surprise me if he rises prior to the draft and hears his name called in the first two rounds.
Round 7 (via NE): John Hightower, WR/KR, Boise State
Skill-set: A speedy receiver/returner option that can be used in multiple ways. Hightower has the speed that you just want to get him the ball and let him try to outrun the opposing defense. He has 11 total touchdowns in 13 games that he has gotten as a receiver, returner and a rusher. His routes need a lot of work, but he can take the top off a defense and is hard to overthrow.
Why this pick: Denver is lacking true speed at receiver, which is exactly what Hightower brings. A lot of time will need to be put into his route running, as right now he is a go-route or screen option as a receiver, or get him the ball on jet-sweeps. He's a playmaker that can affect the game in multiple ways all because of his speed. Hightower would be an excellent complement to Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, and Noah Fant.
Round 7 (proj comp): Nigel Warrior, S, Tennessee
Skill-set: Another versatile safety that can line up and play multiple spots in the secondary. Warrior is fun to watch when he comes down to attack the run because he is a tough competitor and fights hard to get to the ball-carrier. He has poor ball skills, which hurts his value and he isn’t a super athlete. This safety has potential in a cover two scheme and can be a force on special teams early on in his career.
Why this pick: The Broncos are set to lose three of their top-six defensive backs, which will be hard to overcome, so there needs to be an investment into the secondary. Warrior is a versatile defensive back and fits the scheme and mold of what Fangio is looking for. There is work needed to be developed, but he is a solid depth option and special teams player for his rookie year.
Round 7 (proj comp): K.D. Nixon, Weapon, Colorado
Skill-set: A versatile and dynamic playmaker. K.D Nixon is a smaller player at 5-foot-8 but he has made some big boy catches during his time at Colorado. He is another returner option, and can be used in multiple different ways on offense as well.
Why this pick: Denver is lacking dynamic players and playmakers, which is exactly what Nixon brings. He is a type of receiver you can hit underneath and let him make some defenders miss and make a play. With Hamilton being a route runner, Sutton with his size and, from this mock, Hightowers speed, Nixon is the final complimentary piece to round out the receiver corps with a wide variety of skill-sets.
How would you feel about this draft haul? Tell me in the comments below!
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