The Denver Broncos need a franchise quarterback among a few other needs during the 2024 NFL Draft. This mock draft gives them the perfect long-term haul. You'd have a hard time convincing me that there is a better mock draft out there for the Broncos, who are without a second-round pick and need help at QB and along their defensive front.
Denver could trade up during the draft, but the best-case scenario might be to trade down for more picks. They've been missing picks for multiple years due to their two major trades for Russell Wilson and Sean Payton. The team should work to replenish some of that capital, and they could do just that in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is days away.
This Denver Broncos mock draft sets them up nicely for the long-term.
Denver Broncos 7-round mock draft: Team gets a perfect long-term haul
22nd Overall Pick (via PHI) - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Eagles have picks 22 and 50, and to me, the perfect trade down for the Broncos would be to acquire those picks for their own pick 12. This gets them in a better range for Bo Nix and also gets them into the second round. You'd have a hard time convincing me this isn't the best scenario for Denver. Nix is a day one starter in Sean Payton's offense with a viable long-term stability in the NFL.
50th Overall Pick (from PHI) - Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
Getting into the second round would be amazing for Denver. They need a true enforcer off the EDGE, but their young trio of pass rushers in Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, and Jonathon Cooper did show something in 2023. Getting Chris Braswell might give the Denver Broncos four legitimate pass rushers and could put the finishing touches on this unit. At this point, all that could be missing for the defense is another talented defensive tackle.
76th Overall Pick - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
The next two picks for the Denver Broncos are ideal. Ricky Pearsall is a fun and very athletic wide receiver who worked with Broncos WR Coach Keary Colbert during the 2022 season when both were at Florida. There is a chance though that Pearsall could go in the second round, but in this mock draft, he was available at 76. With Denver trading Jerry Jeudy and maybe even trading Courtland Sutton, Pearsall is a position of need.
121st Overall Pick - Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
The Denver Broncos DL Coach Jamar Cain worked with Mekhi Wingo for a year at LSU. This is another draft pick based around connections, and Wingo could also fill a huge need for Denver. The way I see it, the Broncos have added multiple players to their DL this offseason but still have one of the worst DL units in the NFL, so Mekhi Wingo isn't just a fun pick because of his connection with Cain.
136th Overall Pick - Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Theo Johnson might have a great shot at getting some run during his rookie season. The Denver Broncos surely hoped to get quite a bit more from Greg Dulcich, but hamstring injuries kept him out for most of the season. The team did re-sign Adam Trautman, but he's not a viable receiving threat, so Sean Payton must bolster the TE unit during the 2024 NFL Draft.
145th Overall Pick - Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Expect the Denver Broncos to add to their RB room for the 2024 NFL Season. The run game was just "eh" in 2023, and part of that could have been because of Javonte Williams' 2022 knee injury lingering a bit into the 2023 season. With the team needing better production from their RB unit in 2024 and beyond, it can't hurt to add a late-rounder into the backfield.
147th Overall Pick - Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State
The team seems poised to sign veteran CB Levi Wallace, but Denver does need a long-term answer at the CB2 spot. All the mock drafts that have Denver taking a CB at 12 just make my head spin. Patrick Surtain II is likely going to be extended by the team, and they have an elite slot CB in Ja'Quan McMillian, so there is just no need for a CB that high, but later on in the 2024 NFL Draft could be where Denver gets another body in the secondary.
203rd Overall Pick - Dylan McMahon, OG, NC State
Bolstering the trenches is always a good idea, and the Denver Broncos have a very good guard duo with Ben Powers and Quinn Meinerz. With Meinerz being their best player on offense, I don't see how the Denver Broncos don't keep him around for the long-term. Ben Powers could end up being cut in a few years so they may need to think about grooming the future at left guard, and maybe Dylan McMahon can be an option for them in the future.