ESPN's Draft Gurus Predict Broncos' Two 3rd-Round Picks

The NFL draft rapidly approaches and the Denver Broncos are pulling their last-minute strings to be ready. Bereft of a first or second-round pick, Denver doesn't first go on the clock until the third round.

The Broncos will be waiting a minute but at least their first two selections in the third round will be back-to-back — picks 67 and 68. Who falls to Denver there and what would the picks be?

ESPN's draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay took a stab at predicting the answer. Kiper mocked pick 67 while McShay mocked 68.

Kiper's pick:

Byron Young, OLB, Tennessee

At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Young is undersized, but he has a nose for pressuring quarterbacks. This is Denver's first pick in this draft, and it should focus on the front seven with one of these selections.

McShay's pick:

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Denver can stay right there at the podium to announce its new third-down back. Spears makes defenders miss, has breakaway speed and can make an impact in the pass game.

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Among the Broncos' myriad roster needs, ESPN's draft czars make a couple of solid third-round selections, but using a third-rounder on a running back, even though depth at the position is in question, is curious. The Broncos have Samaje Perine and Tony Jones Jr. to carry the load while Javonte Williams fully recovers from his multi-ligament knee injury.

I like Kiper's pick of Young, though. The biggest roster hole the Broncos are carrying right now is rush linebacker.

There's a chance edge might not be a big hole for Denver, but two things would have to happen:

1. Randy Gregory stays healthy and available.

2. Either Baron Browning or Nik Bonitto (or both) takes a huge step forward in 2023 (and also stays available).

It'll be fun to see how it all shakes out.

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