Mock Draft Monday is here and the Denver Broncos traded down in our latest simulation and acquired a massive haul that was loved by fans all across Broncos Country. Not only does Denver get their quarterback of the future, but they also snag a future first-round pick.

Denver Broncos acquire future first-round pick in trade down with Tennessee Titans

Mock drafts are a fun exercise and should be treated as such. While the internet and social media get flooded with thousands of different mock drafts, it creates scenarios that appeal to the fanbase or dissuade them from taking a certain path in the draft.

Sayre Bedinger and I conducted a live interactive mock draft on the latest episode of Locked On Broncos where Denver was set to pick 12th overall. When Denver was on the clock, the Tennessee Titans called and offered the 23rd overall pick and the 38th pick (Round 2), plus their 2025 first-round pick.

Denver, in exchange, gave them the 12th overall pick and the 76th overall pick. This was an easy deal to accept in this simulation.

Broncos select Oregon Ducks QB Bo Nix 23rd overall

The Broncos took Oregon Ducks standout QB and former Heisman candidate Bo Nix with the 23rd overall pick, giving Sean Payton his quarterback.

After tossing 45 touchdowns and throwing for 4500 yards in 2023, Nix heads to the Broncos, where he’ll have Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Marvin Mims, and Josh Reynolds as his primary receiving targets. If Greg Dulcich can stay healthy, this pick becomes even more valuable.

Nix’s ability to process quickly and get the ball out of his hands is something that created a rhythm for the Duck’s offense last season and would be something that helps Denver’s offense take the next step this season.

Byron Murphy slides to the Broncos in the second round

As the Broncos were on the clock in the second round, it was a massive surprise to see Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II still available. In most mock draft simulations, Murphy goes in the first round.

For some reason, he slid in this simulation, and it played out perfectly for the Broncos who need impact depth at defensive tackle.

Murphy was the easy selection in this situation as the Broncos add him to a position room that needs to have a bigger impact this upcoming season. Not only can Murphy have an impact in stopping the run, but he can also get after the quarterback at 6’1, 297 lbs.

In 14 games for the Longhorns last season, including a trip to the College Football Playoffs, Murphy had 29 tackles, 8.5 for a loss behind the line of scrimmage, and also got after the quarterback for five sacks.

Combining him and Malcolm Roach rotationally will help the Broncos’ defensive interior go from one of the worst last season to potentially one of the best on paper heading into 2024.

Broncos add Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright

With the 121st overall pick in this mock draft simulation, the Denver Broncos added Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright to their position room.

Wright joins Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie on the roster at the position. The 5’11, 200 lb back averaged nearly 7.4 yards per carry last season and had 137 carries for 1013 yards for the Volunteers.

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Wright’s size and breakaway speed increase his value to the Broncos as a rookie and beyond 2024. With Williams and Perine facing contract years, it gives the Broncos’ offense and Sean Payton the best opportunity to evaluate the run game and the future direction of it.

His size gives him an advantage over McLaughlin in pass protection. This would be a solid addition to Denver’s offense after adding a rookie quarterback.

Broncos remaining selections in mock draft simulation

The Broncos’ remaining picks come at 136, 145, 147, 203, and 207. With the 136th overall pick, the Broncos added Penn State tight end Theo Johnson.

Right now, the Broncos tight end room consists of Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins, and Adam Trautman.

Considering Dulcich’s injury history, the Broncos have to go into the draft with a contingency plan in mind.

Adding Johnson to the mix – at 6’6, 259 pounds – gives them another player with similar athletic makeup to Krull. Johnson’s RAS score was also an astounding 9.95, which lands him in the elite athleticism category.

In 2023, he hauled in 34 catches in 13 games for 341 and seven touchdowns, which ranked fourth overall in the Big 10. This move would add another threat to the passing attack, and in this mock draft, in particular, gives Bo Nix another solidified young weapon on offense.

With the 145th overall pick, the Broncos added Luke McCaffrey to the mix. Despite his name and family history with the franchise, this was more of a luxury add versus necessity, especially with the Broncos adding Josh Reynolds to the receiving room.

McCaffrey contributed as an all-around athlete at Rice, where he had 20 total touchdowns in the last two seasons. With this addition, he’d have the opportunity to come in and compete during training camp for a potential roster spot on the 53 or as a member of the practice squad.

With the 147th overall pick, the Broncos added Oregon Ducks safety Evan Williams to their defensive backfield. Despite adding Brandon Jones in free agency, the Broncos need some depth at the position behind Jones, P.J. Locke, Caden Sterns, and JL Skinner.

With Delarrin Turner-Yell continuing to go through the rehab process after having his torn ACL repaired, it wouldn’t hurt for Denver to add a safety like Williams to the mix to compete in training camp and the preseason.

In 2023 at Oregon, Williams had 82 tackles in 13 games, 4.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries.

To finalize the rest of this mock draft, the Broncos took Temple linebacker Jordan Magee and Iowa punter Tory Taylor at 203rd and 207th overall, respectively.

Magee will join the Broncos inside the linebacker room, which currently features competition between Justin Strnad, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, and Drew Sanders, for a starting opportunity next to Alex Singleton.

Taylor is an interesting name to keep an eye on, considering Riley Dixon is entering the final year of his current deal in Denver. He’s also considered by many to be the best punter in this year’s draft cycle.

Broncos Country reacts to the mock draft

This was a popular mock draft in the eyes of most Broncos fans who took time to react to it.

That would be an appealing top three.

Tell us how you feel, Broncos Country.

And the capital keeps adding up! That future first-rounder from Tennessee would be incredible.