The Denver Broncos made a splash to trade for Russell Wilson, and this mock draft provides him with more resources to cook a Super Bowl-winning meal.
Now that the Denver Broncos have mortgaged draft capital and players into trading for Russel Wilson, it’s time to see how they perform in the draft.
The Broncos are still left with seven picks despite the heavy trade package. However, in this mock draft, by simply trading down and playing the board, they end up with 12 choices. Among them are several quality players who can elevate the franchise if appropriately molded.
Moreover, with several key players under contract like Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, along with rookie-contract players like Javonte Williams and Jerry Jeudy, Wilson has plenty to work with in addition to a much improved offensive line and up-and-coming defense that ranked in the top half of the league last season.
Losing Shelby Harris and Noah Fant hurt significantly. However, they can be replaced if the board falls the Broncos’ way and ultimately, the front office puts together a strong draft class. A small window of opportunity has opened, and cap space can be found if contracts are restructured properly and formulated methodically.
Eventually, the roster will be taken apart once it comes time to pay the money. Also, things may change based on free agency patterns that are yet to come. For now, let us look at this Denver Broncos mock draft that brings 12 players to the Mile High City.
First up, a trade down into the third round to get more capital and secure quality depth.
Damone Clark is the first player taken in this Denver Broncos Mock Draft
TRADE: Denver sends their 2022 second-round pick from the LA Rams to the Cleveland Browns for a 2022 third-round pick and two fourth-round choices.
1. Third Round: Damone Clark, LB, LSU
Nathaniel Hackett needs a young defensive leader alongside Bradley Chubb to put the Broncos’ highly ranked defense a step above what they played at from a year ago. With their first and second-round picks tied into Russell Wilson, they choose to complete their defensive puzzle by going with LSU linebacker Damone Clark.
Likely to play a role as an inside linebacker in Denver’s scheme, Clark is a tall, instinctive, and powerful linebacker that comes from a school known for producing quality linebackers. Additionally, that position on Denver’s defense is the group that needs the most attention, even though the unit was very highly rated.
Denver has several offensive weapons, so by going with Clark, they take the best player available on the board at the time. It’s a win-win situation for the team, and it solves a need by adding a talented player to an already talented group. The Mile High City is off to a good start.
2. Third Round via trade with CLE through LA: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
Noah Fant is gone. The Tight End position is vital. The Draft has the prospect that can change it all. Three clues, so let’s head to the thinking chair and figure it out. The solution? Trey McBride from Colorado State. You can’t dance just yet; you have to get him on the field and see it first.
McBride was named to the 2021 All-Mountain West Conference first team and received the 2021 Mackey Award. Additionally, McBride holds several school records. Last season, he caught 90 catches for 1,121 yards, the first tight end in school history to have a 1,000-yard season. In other words, he’s pretty good and very reliable in the passing game.
For Denver, he plays a role in helping replace Fant and giving Russell Wilson a potential security blanket to throw to in case his wideouts are jammed or neutralized by opposing defenders. You can’t cover them all no matter how good our defense is. Denver gets to teach that lesson on the field with this move.
3. Third Round via LAR from Von Miller Trade: Luke Goedke, OT, Central Michigan
In case people have forgotten, the Seattle Seahawks were not that good in their offensive line, at least not recently. Hence, Russell Wilson needed to run for his life several times to make plays. But not this time, not when they have the opportunity to make a pick to change that.
By using the pick acquired from the Von Miller trade, the Broncos take Luke Goedke, a tackle that fits the scheme of Nathaniel Hackett and a player that, if developed properly, has the potential to become one of the best guards in the league.
Goedke is quick, shifty, and agile. For an offensive tackle, that helps when running a zone-blocking scheme. His strength cannot be questioned either, which is why Denver would love to have him.
Given how Wilson likes to have offensive linemen that move and play at a high level, despite the name recognition, Denver seems like the ideal fit for Goedke. Though he may need to bulk up just a bit to secure a starting job, he has all the traits necessary to flourish in Denver’s offensive system.
Denver Broncos mock draft, fourth-round picks
4. Fourth Round via trade with CLE: Dominique Robinson, EDGE, Miami (OH)
An excellent young piece that would be a steal at this point in the draft, with the potential to start sooner than later. Not a Day One individual, but given time and proper attention by the coaching staff, there is a lot to like.
Mostly a rotation piece; Robinson recorded 4.5 sacks last season and is a pure edge rusher. Given how Denver runs a 3-4 scheme, it should be a natural fit, but it’s not always like that. It will take time to develop Robinson as he is a raw talent, but his first step quickness would be considered his best trait.
In terms of dealing with stronger offensive linemen, he will need to fine-tune his game just a bit, but here in the fourth round, you are looking for steals and players with upside. The defense of Denver is already good, but they just need a little more like Robinson to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.
5. Fourth Round: Matthew Butler, DL, Tennessee
Production in college matters, regardless of where someone comes from or what they look like. Moreover, if a guy can play, he can play. All that said, Denver addresses the hole left by Shelby Harris right here with the selection of Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler.
There is some upside to this pick. 47 total tackles last season and five sacks. Not gaudy, but good enough to warrant eyes. Moreover, he comes from a school that produces quality defensive linemen. Is he one of those guys? Absolutely not, but he deserves attention on the field and, if developed, can be a good player.
The Broncos know that finding diamonds in the rough is essential with limited top-tier capital. Having said that, you can trust George Paton will be looking for several avenues to help find cheap talent and ultimately assemble a strong team. Butler is a player that is likely his cup of tea, which speaks to something.
6. Fourth Round: Alec Lindstrom, G, Boston College
When Russell Wilson was doing his magic in Seattle, he had a Marshawn Lynch in the backfield and a robust offensive line at his disposal. However, with Seattle moving on from both through the last few years and entering a rebuild, Wilson is now in a new spot with the same desires.
Using the fourth-round pick here, Denver chooses to address the position by going to one of college football’s best offensive line factories, and they head east, finding NFL blood in the process of a younger brother. Yes, Chris Lindstrom’s brother Alec of Boston College is the choice here to wear orange and blue. From a positional and a football standpoint, it makes perfect sense.
Denver’s interior line requires reinforcements. With the tackle position already addressed in the earlier rounds, the Broncos shift their focus to the interior trenches and add an underrated player and could potentially start from Day One if he is coached properly and developed the same way his sibling has been taught.
7. Fourth Round via trade with CLE: Mario Goodrich, CB, Clemson
It would be a head-scratcher to consider drafting a cornerback in this position, even though Denver has plenty of corners, including Patrick Surtain II as a cornerstone player on their roster, and will likely grab one in FA if needed. That said, it is likely that George Paton will release some of the other veteran corners on their roster to get younger as a unit.
That said, they go that route here by drafting Mario Goodrich to go alongside Surtain and form a young, dynamic cornerback duo. Ronald Darby may be the starter for now, but eventually, Goodrich will take over thanks to his sheer competitiveness and the traits he learned from playing at a major college football program.
42 total tackles last season isn’t elite level, but at the same time, being intelligent as a cornerback is vital in a league that is heavily favored towards the pass. Goodrich will obviously need to work to unseat players like Darby, Michael Ojemudia, and Bryce Callahan to be a starter. Still, he has potential and upside, which warrants taking a flier on him at this point in the draft.
Denver Broncos mock draft, fifth-round pick
TRADE: Denver sends their 2022 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2022 fifth-round pick and two sixth-round choices.
8. Fifth Round via trade with MIN (155th overall): Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M
It’s an interesting route to go here, but the Denver defense, as great as it has proven to be, needs a little more fear instilled. Maybe one more player from an unknown area that comes from the blind side of the college football spectrum, and when he arrives, your bell is rung and rung loudly.
That comes in the form of Markquese Bell, a safety from Florida A&M, one of the most noteworthy HBCUs. Denver trades down a bit to get him and picks up two sixth-round picks in the process. One of those sixth rounds picks will be moved again to gain another late-round prospect. But more on that later. Here’s what Bell brings to the table.
For one, he’s pretty fast, at least on tape. Second, he has a nose for the football, shown by his five picks in 2019. Third, and most important of all, he plays with controlled aggression. In this day and age where the game is tilted mainly towards the offense, having disciplined safeties with aggression and a nose for the football is a complementary piece.
He hasn’t picked off many passes recently, just one in 2021, but he is a playmaker and would be an instant addition to Denver’s secondary.
9. Sixth Round via trade with MIN: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
Brandon McManus is one of the best in the business. Having help from a high altitude doesn’t hurt either. That said, he needs someone on the other side that can also benefit from such luxuries. Punters are people too, you know.
So, Denver uses the pick from the Minnesota trade and snags college football’s top punter and a potential game-changer in San Diego State’s Matt Araiza. Last season, he averaged 51.19 yards per punt and was awarded the Ray Guy Award for the nation’s top punter.
Araiza also had kicking duties, recording 10 of 14 field-goal attempts during the COVID shortened season. As a redshirt freshman, he made 22 field goals on 26 attempts and was named honorable mention All-Mountain West.
In other words, he is a versatile special teams player that can make an impact from Day One. Denver would be wise to steal him before someone else plans to make him the focal point of their special teams. Plus, again, the high altitude helps.
TRADE: Denver sends a 2022 sixth-round pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings to the Los Angeles Rams for two 2022 sixth-round picks.
10. Sixth Round via trade with LA through MIN: Dai’Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls
Initially, this was the second pick acquired from the Vikings trade, but they trade down again with the Rams and pick up another sixth-rounder in the process—another chance to add a late-round prospect for help.
Though Denver has plenty of good pass catchers and an underrated utility receiver in KJ Hamler, eventually one or two might be traded or move on, so it would be nice to have depth and have someone work his way into getting onto the field for a couple of plays. Again, Denver goes the small school route and finds a hidden gem in Dai’Jean Dixon of Nicholls State.
If that doesn’t ring a bell, does Lardarius Webb ring a bell? It should, as he was a respectable player during his time in Baltimore. So, the school has produced players into the NFL before. In the case of Dixon, he had a productive year last season with 71 catches for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.
Not exactly a superstar, but at the same time, Denver would benefit greatly by having another young weapon mature his way into the league with a strong leader like Russell Wilson as his quarterback. He may start off on the practice squad, but he has traits that translate to the next level, and that’s hard to find in the sixth round. Denver would love this move if it happens.
11. Sixth Round via trade with LA: Andrew Steuber, OT, Michigan
This is the second pick from the LA trade, and it could not have come at a better time. Two players have already been added to the offensive line room, and now a third player gets to come thanks to the trade here with the Rams. Denver turns their attention to the Big Ten and grabs Andrew Steuber from Michigan.
Last season, the Wolverines were a strong running team. Denver, as fate would have it, prides itself on running the football, courtesy of Javonte Williams. So, having an extra run blocker with experience and leadership certainly helps. Additionally, Steuber has played in big college football games, including the Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoff Game.
Steuber will likely start as a backup or a practice squad member, but he does have traits that translate to the NFL. Given time, he will probably play inside as a guard. That’s not all bad. Put him in the right spot, and Nathaniel Hackett and his staff should have no trouble getting the best out of him.
Denver Broncos mock draft, final pick
12. Seventh Round: Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma
Wait, doesn’t Denver already have Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams? Ok, so what? At this point in the draft, it’s a game of making sure you secure a player to avoid him going into UDFA. In this case, it just happens to be a productive running back that may allow Denver to move on from Gordon in the future and secure another running mate for Williams to continue a two-headed backfield.
Unlike with the quarterback position, where having more than one starter is an issue, having a loaded backfield isn’t necessarily bad. Kennedy Brooks knows how to manage a workload and share time in the backfield. Moreover, he is productive, evidenced by racking up 1,253 and 13 touchdowns last season.
He may not be the speed demon that teams are constantly begging for, but he has enough game speed that cannot be clocked. Moreover, fresher legs and an underdog minded work-ethic can play well into Brooks’ hands. All it takes is a chance, and Brooks gets his opportunity to help add to a strong Denver backfield.