Denver Broncos mock draft: Loading up after Russell Wilson deal

Denver Broncos mock draft; Colorado State Rams tight end Trey McBride (85) runs with the ball after a catch against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos mock draft; Colorado State Rams tight end Trey McBride (85) runs with the ball after a catch against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
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Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos mock draft; Colorado State tight end Trey Mcbride (TE13) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos struck a trade for Russell Wilson and they are still loaded with 2022 NFL Draft picks. How are they going to spend them?

The Denver Broncos have already had a massive offseason in 2022, trading for former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and then making a couple of big-money free agency moves to sign pass rusher Randy Gregory and defensive lineman DJ Jones.

As well as some other teams have done in free agency and the offseason so far in 2022, the Denver Broncos have to be front-runners for having the top offseason of any team thus far. Nobody else acquired a legitimate MVP candidate at quarterback.

The trade certainly came at a cost as the Denver Broncos surrendered three players and a handful of draft picks over the next couple of seasons to get Wilson from the Seahawks. Still, general manager George Paton has three picks in the top 100 to work with and two more picks right away in round four.

How will Paton utilize those selections? Let’s take a look in this seven-round Denver Broncos mock draft scenario.

Denver Broncos mock draft, pick 64: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

If the Denver Broncos can somehow find a way to come away from the 2022 NFL Draft with Trey McBride, it will cap off a legendary offseason from George Paton.

Why would the Broncos use their top pick in this draft on a tight end? Well, the Russell Wilson trade cost Denver young tight end Noah Fant. Fant is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, and last year’s backup Albert Okwuegbunam is now the presumptive starter in his place.

That’s fine on paper, but the Broncos are one injury away from absolute catastrophe at the position and they passed on most of the legitimate starting options at TE in this year’s free agency crop.

Trey McBride is arguably the best tight end in this class. It’s hilarious that he continually pops up in mock draft simulators at the bottom of round two, but it happens almost every time without fail.

If McBride even comes close to the end of round two, you can’t help but wonder if the Broncos wouldn’t pounce on this local product to fill arguably their biggest need offensively at the moment.