Perfect Picks 2023: Denver Broncos
2024 saw the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50. After a more conservative free agency class, how should Denver spend its draft capital in 2025? Today, we look at what I would consider an ideal outcome for the Broncos in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Round 1: Derrick Harmon - IDL, Oregon (6-5, 310)
Everybody is mocking Colston Loveland or Omarion Hampton to Denver at #20. Well, during my mock neither were there at #20 and there is a very real chance that is the case on draft night. With no trades available, I felt the best strategy at that point was to address the defensive line.
Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, and a few other of the Broncos’ defensive linemen are all up for new contracts after this upcoming season. Adding a top-tier player to that room makes sense. I decided to follow up last year’s Bo Nix pick with another Oregon star, this time in the trenches.
Harmon is a disruptive player that I think would be a great long-term replacement for John Franklin-Myers. He’s a fast-moving 3-tech with good ability as a run defender that gives him a high floor. There’s a nice upside with Harmon but he does need to work on his pad level and improve his down-to-down consistency. The guidance of Zach Allen could help unlock a young talent.
Round 2: Mason Taylor - TE, LSU (6-5, 255)
If Denver can’t get Colston Loveland, Mason Taylor may be the next best thing. A natural receiving tight end, he has nice big hands and a good understanding of how to keep plays alive in scramble drills.
He isn’t a great athlete, so his biggest flaw as a receiver is that he isn’t going to create consistent separation against the elite linebackers or defensive backs. Taylor is also still developing as a run blocker. His role in Denver is obvious though as he can help Sean Payton to create a lethal short passing game alongside Evan Engram and several young wide receivers. The LSU Tiger isn’t restricted to the short passing game by any means and can also make bigger plays. I think Sean Payton would love Taylor as his future starting tight end in the Mile High City.
Mid Round Gem - Chris Paul Jr. - LB, Ole Miss (6-1, 225)
Denver looks back to its defense again with the selection of Pooh Paul from the Ole Miss Rebels. I do have to admit I think this would be a fall for him, as he’s likely selected higher than this, but good players fall in the draft all the time. Paul is an athletic but slender linebacker who shows real promise thanks to his quickness and fluidity. The downside is that he is limited as a run defender, something that may cause him to fall in Green Bay.
I doubt it is something he will ever be great at given his size, but I think with proper coaching he can develop into a solid #2 for the Broncos. You simply can’t deny Paul’s instincts as a coverage defender, and his twitchy reaction timing will make for an interesting project at the very least.
Late Round Sleeper - LaJohntay Wester - WR, Colorado (5-11, 170)
There’s a possibility Denver won’t attack WR until later in the draft. Realistically, the Broncos aren’t going to get a major upgrade at the position this year unless Tetairoa McMillan falls. Sean Payton and George Paton also like the room and have starters at every position currently. Drafting a guy with an early pick risks disrupting the development of players like Devaughn Vele, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, and in this scenario, Mason Taylor.
Wester is a Colorado Buffalo so he’ll just take a short drive down to the practice field where he will provide some youth and added competition to the wide receiver room. While Wester will not provide any blocking prowess or explosive plays in the NFL, he is a perfect WR4 who has good short area burst and a nice route tree. That sounds a perfect skillset for Sean Payton and Bo Nix on third downs.
Draft In Full:
1.24) Derrick Harmon, IDL, Oregon
2.51) Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
3.85) Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
4.122) Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
6.191) Simeon Barrow Jr, IDL, Miami
6.197) LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
6.208) Kai Kroeger, P, South Carolina
Julian Cordova
NFL Draft Contributor
You can read more of Julian’s work over at his twitter handle @JayinCee05, his tiktok handle @SCUProductions and his youtube channel youtube.com/scuproductions.