Broncos 2019 Draft Do-Over: How History Could Have Changed

Analysts rush to hand out their grades as soon as the NFL draft concludes. The drive to get some instant analysis out there is understandable, but a draft class' overall value and impact can't be measured immediately.

With four seasons in the books, we can accurately take stock of how a class shook out. And that's exactly how long it's been since the Denver Broncos' 2019 draft haul hit the roster.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but with that said, what would the Broncos do differently if we could turn back time to draft day 2019?

I'm going to redraft the Broncos' 2019 class, but first, a couple of quick notes. The redraft is only looking at the picks Denver made, which will still take trades into account.

With the 2019 draft, the Broncos aggressively moved around the board. Also, most do-overs are between the pick Denver made and the next one. There is an exception with back-to-back picks, in which the do-over picks had to be between those two and Denver's fourth pick.

Round 1: Pick 20

Actual Pick: Noah Fant | TE | Iowa

Fant wasn't a terrible pick for the Broncos. He was a capable receiver who never came along as a blocker. Before his fourth season, he was part of the trade package to land Russell Wilson and had the worst season of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Taking a tight end in the first round was always questionable, but Denver lowered the impact by trading down to land him.

Grade: C+

Despite how good of a receiver he was, Fant not developing as a blocker led to him being dealt before his fourth season.

Do-Over Pick: Tytus Howard | OT | Alabama State

Howard went 23rd overall and has developed into a capable right tackle. The Broncos have been struggling to find a long-term solution at right tackle dating back to Orlando Franklin before he was moved to left guard. Denver could have paired Howard with its 2017 first-round pick Garett Bolles to find its bookend tackles.

Honorable Mention: Josh Jacobs | RB | Alabama

Jacobs is a good running back, but taking a running back in the first round? Pass.

Round 2: Pick 41

Actual Pick: Dalton Risner | OG | Kansas State

Risner was a starter at left guard right away for the Broncos and held that position all four seasons for the Broncos. However, he entered free agency this offseason and remains unsigned. Risner's play declined after showing a ton of promise his first year.

Grade: B-

Denver got four starting seasons out of this draft pick, which is a solid return for a second-round selection, though far from ideal.

Do-Over Pick: D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss

Denver adds some speed to pair with Courtland Sutton, who was entering Year 2 at the time. Metcalf's ability to be a deep ball threat could have opened up the field for Sutton and the other receivers.

Honorable Mention: A.J. Brown | WR | Ole Miss

Brown was almost the pick, and it wouldn't have been a bad way to go. Metcalf's deep ball speed tipped the scales slightly his way.

Round 2: Pick 42

Actual Pick: Drew Lock | QB | Missouri

Quarterbacks taken after the top 15 rarely do well. That doesn't mean it's impossible but it is improbable. A lot went against Lock, but he also didn't do enough to help himself. Along with Fant, Lock was traded before his fourth season and again found himself as a backup.

Grade: C

There were a lot of issues with Lock as a player and a lot of issues around him. Quarterbacks have to be the impetus for their own emergence. In a year where the Broncos did a lot to help him out, Lock still struggled. He should carve out a decent career as a backup and spot starter.

Do-Over Pick: Elgton Jenkins | IOL | Mississippi State

Jenkins had the versatility to play anywhere on the inside and has shown the ability to slide out and play tackle decently in an emergency. Instead of Risner, Jenkins would have slid into left guard immediately and would have been a great piece. It would have been an upgrade as a left guard with the versatility to move.

Honorable Mention: Zach Allen | IDL | Boston College

The Broncos ended up landing Allen as a free agent. He had a slow start but ended up a solid pick.

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Round 3: Pick 71

Actual Pick: Dre'Mont Jones | IDL | Ohio State

Jones ended up being the best pick of the class, and it isn't even close. He flashed as a rookie and showed steady improvement each season. In his final year in Denver, Jones showed his ability to be among the top interior pass rushers, but injuries derailed that and were an issue with his career. Another issue was his run defense, which was extremely hit-or-miss.

Grade: B+

If the Broncos had extended Jones, this would be an A. However, Denver decided to go another way, which lowered the grade some.

Do-Over Pick: Maxx Crosby | Edge | Eastern Michigan

This would've been a win in two ways. The Broncos would keep him away from the Las Vegas Raiders while adding a player who has become one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Pairing him as part of the Von Miller and Bradley Chubb duo would've been huge and could've led to a completely different timeline over the past few years with trading away Miller and Chubb.

Honorable Mention: Dawson Knox | TE | Ole Miss

Knox is a capable tight end with good versatility. That would be a great pick, but Crosby is one of the best pass rushers, and the value differential is clear.

Round 5: Pick 156

Actual Pick: Justin Hollins | Edge | Oregon

There was a promise with the edge room with Miller and Chubb, and Hollins was drafted with a clear role in mind. Alas, Hollins barely played as a rookie, was used in a versatile role, and didn't make it to Year 2 with the Broncos.

Grade: D

This late, you're just throwing darts, but you're calculated with them. The rationale being the pick was fine, but it didn't turn out.

Do-Over Pick: Charles Omenihu | IDL/Edge | Texas

Omenihu is a versatile defensive lineman that can move around and even stand up as an edge. He had some solid years with the Houston Texans but exploded last season with the San Francisco 49ers, and now Denver has to face him twice with him joining the Kansas City Chiefs. His versatility would've given the Broncos a piece they got in the aforementioned Jones.

Honorable Mention: Jake Bailey | P | Stanford

Bailey is a good punter, and the Broncos have had their issues there, but drafting a punter is hard to accept.

Round 6: Pick 187

Actual Pick: Juwann Winfree | WR | Colorado

Winfree saw some action with the Broncos as a rookie before getting hurt. He was waived before Year 2, spending time with the Green Bay Packers, and is currently part of the Indianapolis Colts roster.

Grade: F

Winfree didn't do much for the Broncos, and the logic behind drafting him was poor because he was the "next Phillip Lindsay."

Do-Over Pick: David Long Jr | LB | West Virginia

Long has developed into a great linebacker and would've given the Broncos an athletic, rangy cover linebacker. That is something that the team is still looking for. The Broncos had their downhill linebackers, and Long would've fit in well with the linebackers they have.

Honorable Mention: Nick Allegretti | IOL | Illinois

Allegretti has been a solid depth player for the Chiefs, which is fine this late in the draft.

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