Perfect Picks: Denver Broncos
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - David Ojabo, Edge, Penn State
Trading Von Miller to the LA Rams left the Broncos a little short-handed in the pass rush department. Malik Reed is set to hit free agency and giving Bradley Chubb a running mate is a key off-season concern. Here they select the toolsy David Ojabo out of Michigan. While he isn’t the complete package, he consistently showed he could get to the QB. He makes a strong defense truly dangerous.
Round 2 - Daniel Faalele, Offensive Tackle, Minnesota
Bobby Massie was only ever going to be a stop gap at right tackle for the Broncos. In this mock they attack the position with the massive Daniel Faalele. The Minnesota tackle measures in at a mammoth 6’9, 380lbs. Able to create holes in the run game and offer strong pass protection, all his college snaps were taken on the right side. With the right conditioning under an NFL regime, the Aussie has a high ceiling.
Mid Round Gem - Martin Emerson, Cornerback, Mississippi State
The Broncos found an elite corner out of the SEC last year, selecting Alabama’s Patrick Surtain in the first round. Could they go down the same route again? Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan are free agents so using a third round pick on Emerson could be a bargain. His length, speed and experience against the best receivers in college should give him plenty of admirers. While you would like some more production than his solo career interception, the tools are all there.
Late Round Sleeper - Aaron Hansford, Linebacker, Texas A&M
The Broncos have plenty of ammunition in this draft. While we having them sticking at every pick, the likelihood is that they could make moves up the board. We have them double dipping at linebacker here. Baron Browning and Damone Clark would be the prospective starters but a 6’3, 240lbs off ball linebacker like Hansford offers a strong backup as well as special teams value. In addition he can line up in the slot and as an overhang LB on the line. That versatility means he should find a home in the NFL.
Draft In Full:
9. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
40. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
64. Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
75. Damone Clark, LB, LSU
95. James Cook, RB, Georgia
112. Yusef Corker, S, Kentucky
144. Matt Henningsen, DT, Wisconsin
151. Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State
194. Justin Shaffer, OG, Georgia
241. Aaron Hansford, LB, Texas A&M
249. Reggie Roberson, WR, SMU
*Feature Image Credit: The Denver Post
