MMQB's Latest 5-Round Mock Floods Broncos' Roster With Impact Players
Mock your socks off.
'Tis the mocking season. And all the draftniks across the fruited plain are taking their best stab at how the 2020 NFL Draft will unfold.
Here at Mile High Huddle, we find it interesting to keep tabs on these mocks, so long as they're coming from credible media sources. And who is more credible than the MMQB?
SI's Kevin Hanson released his latest mock and this time, it was a five-rounder. Hanson's selections flooded the Denver Broncos roster with high-impact players but did they fit the team's needs?
Those needs are: wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line, off-ball linebacker, safety. Let's take a look.
Round 1
15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Drew Lock and Noah Fant both showed promise in their rookie seasons and Courtland Sutton had a breakout sophomore campaign (1,112 yards). The Broncos could use an upgrade opposite Sutton, however, as no other returning wide receiver reached the 300-yard mark in 2019. Posting a combine-fastest 40-yard dash (4.27), Ruggs has the ability to stress any defense and is a threat to take any slant to the house.
MHH: This one is no shocker as the only draft prospect to be more strongly tied to Broncos' GM John Elway than Ruggs, all-time, is Drew Lock. Lock ended up in the Orange and Blue and the odds are solid that Ruggs will follow suit.
Round 2
46. Denver Broncos: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
MHH: This one makes a lot of sense for multiple reasons. One, the Broncos have a legitimate interest in Cleveland and have held a Zoom pre-draft meeting with him. Two, Cleveland would fit a need and is a very intriguing O-line player with some untapped potential. Under the purview of Broncos' O-Line Coach Mike Munchak, Cleveland could flourish.
Round 3
77. Denver Broncos: Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal
MHH: While I don't love this pick, there's no question Davis is a very good safety prospect. Our Senior Draft Analyst Erick Trickel has Davis ranked as his fifth-best safety in the class. The Broncos would have their Will Parks replacement and a long-term option to succeed the 32-year-old Kareem Jackson.
Round 3
83. Denver Broncos (via PIT): Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
MHH: Wilson is a prospect who's seen his draft stock skyrocket since the Combine. This kid could offer the Broncos a permanent solution at off-ball linebacker opposite of Alexander Johnson and bring some athleticism to the coverage unit.
Round 3
95. Denver Broncos (via SF): Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
MHH: I don't love this pick, to be honest, especially with Amik Robertson (a takeaway machine) still on the board. If the Broncos take another CB in the third round, the prospect has to be a hit after Elway's struggles with Brendan Langley and Isaac Yiadom. I'm doubtful Holmes would break the cycle of third-round CB whiffs. Holmes is Trickel's 15th-ranked CB, while Robertson is ranked 10th.
Round 4
118. Denver Broncos: Logan Stenberg, IOL, Kentucky
MHH: The Broncos don't necessarily need to add a pure offensive guard but if Stenberg is a fine player. Center remains a massive hole on this roster. Stenberg is Trickel's 8th-ranked OG.
Round 5
179. Denver Broncos: Keith Ismael, IOL, San Diego State
MHH: And the Broncos get a center who can come in and compete with Patrick Morris for the starting job in between LG Dalton Risner and RG Graham Glasgow. Ismael is Trickel's 5th-ranked center prospect in the class.
The Final Tally
In the MMQB's mock, the Broncos checked the boxes of several roster needs, including locking down that speed-demon WR, a long-term offensive tackle, a long-term off-ball linebacker and two interior offensive linemen.
I don't love the Holmes pick and the Stenberg pick probably could have been better spent on other roster needs, considering the Broncos' relative strength and depth at the position. But an overall solid mock draft haul.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.
