With free agency now in the rearview mirror and the draft just a month away, it’s officially draft season.
Last month we released our first mock draft, but free agency has shaken things up quite a bit since then. Back in February, cornerback was the Broncos’ most pressing need and now they arguably have one of the best cornerback groups in the league. Offensive tackle was also a position to consider with the tenth pick, but with the signing of Ja’wuan James, that now seems unlikely.
Considering the ripple effect of free agency, who will be on the board for the Broncos at the tenth pick and who will they take in every round? Let’s take a look.
Round 1: 10th pick overall.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa: As Brandon Ewing already wrote, T.J. Hockenson would be a terrific pick for the Broncos at ten. He’s a prototypical tight end who is an elite blocker and pass catcher. Watching his Iowa tape makes you feel like you’re watching the second coming of Rob Gronkowski, and the Broncos could certainly use a mismatch nightmare like that on offense.
Hockenson is arguably the best offensive player in the class, but because he doesn’t play a premier position, will likely fall to pick No. 10. He would not only give whoever’s at quarterback a dominant weapon for years to come, but he’d also have a massive impact on the run game.
In the first MHS Mock, the pick for the Broncos at ten was quarterback Drew Lock. While plenty of people still have Lock slotted here, the hype between the Missouri quarterback and the Broncos has died down considerably since the Senior Bowl back in January.
Since then, the Broncos traded for Joe Flacco and it sounds like they certainly believe in him as the starting quarterback for at least 2019 and possibly beyond, while no new buzz connecting Lock to Denver has surfaced.
Some will also wonder why Devin White isn’t the pick here. White should be the pick at ten if he lasts that long. Since the NFL Scouting Combine, White’s stock has risen and it would now be a surprise if he made it down to the Broncos.
Round 2: 41st pick overall.
Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama: With the Broncos unable to take White with the tenth pick, they’ll settle for Wilson in the second round. Wilson doesn’t have the intangibles, impact, or physicality that will make White a top ten pick, but he does have comparable, if not superior, athleticism.
While Wilson is the rawest of the top three linebackers in the 2019 class, in the hands of Vic Fangio—arguably the greatest linebacker coach in league history — he very well could have the highest ceiling. It should also be noted that if the Broncos miss out on Devin Bush, White or Wilson, the drop-off to the fourth linebacker is a steep one.
Troubled defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and offensive lineman Dalton Risner would also be home run picks, but as with White, they may not make it to the Broncos’ pick. For a full list of second-round targets click here.
Round 3: 71st pick overall.
Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M: While the Broncos fixed the exterior of the offensive line in free agency, the interior of the line remains as one of the biggest red flags on the roster. 2016 5th-rounder Connor McGovern was a great find at guard for the Broncos last season but is now pegged as the starting center (where he struggled mightily) purely out of necessity. Meanwhile, backup tackle Elijah Wilkinson will have to slide over to guard (where he too struggled last year) to fix the hole left by McGovern.
The solution to this conundrum? Draft Erik McCoy. McCoy was a three-year starter at center and a fantastic leader on the line for the Aggies. McCoy could easily start from Day One and under the tutelage of offensive line coach Mike Munchak, has Pro Bowl potential. This pick not only fixes the center position in the wake of Matt Paradis‘ departure but also patches up the hole at guard by allowing McGovern and Wilkinson to play in their natural positions.
Round 4: 125th pick overall.
Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo: What? Why a quarterback in the fourth round instead of in the top ten with a guy like Drew Lock?
For several reasons, but primarily because Jackson fits what the Broncos want to do more. Following the trade for Flacco, general manager John Elway made it clear that he believes Flacco has plenty of gas left in the tank, and during his introductory press conference, Flacco spoke on how painful it was to deal with the Lamar Jackson situation.
With that in mind, it makes much more sense for the Broncos to take the rawer prospect, who needs more time to develop but has a much higher ceiling. Jackson fits the mold of an Elway quarterback better than Lock, as his physical traits are far superior. It should also be noted that he never had a quarterback coach until attending the University of Buffalo, meaning there’s plenty of room for growth with an NFL coaching staff.
Given a few years to develop behind Flacco, Tyree Jackson could very well end up being the best quarterback in his class.
Round 5: 148th pick overall.
Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois: With the departure of Domata Peko, the Broncos would be wise to add another defensive tackle in the draft. Khalen Saunders would be a great late-round pick with high upside. Saunders has the size and physicality to play nose tackle and often imposed his will on opposing lineman at the FCS level.
Saunders improved his stock during a good week at the Senior Bowl but questions still remain about his consistency and his stamina. Given the strong rotation of defensive lineman the Broncos have, Saunders would be a perfect fit in Denver.
Round 6: 182nd pick overall.
Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington: Yes, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman had great rookie seasons, and the Broncos should be set at running back for the next five years at least. That being said, both Freeman and Lindsay do have durability concerns. Freeman has a lot of tread on his tires from his time in Oregon, and with running backs of Lindsay’s size, injury is always a concern.
Throw in Myles Gaskin, who has the pass-catching ability to replace Devontae Booker in the rotation, and is of the Phillip Lindsay mold. If Lindsay were to miss more games in 2019, the Broncos could play Gaskin in his place without having to entirely change their offense as they did at the end of the 2018 campaign. At the very least, Gaskin would be an upgrade on Booker, improving Denver’s running back rotation.
Round 7: 237th pick overall.
Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State: The Broncos haven’t been able to find a difference-maker in the return game since Trindon Holliday, despite multiple tries. Penny Hart has the potential to be that type of player.
Hart is undersized, measuring in at 5’8” and180 pounds, but is also one of the fastest and most sudden players in the draft. Hart has the ability to quickly accelerate and change direction on a dime. He was incredibly productive at Georgia State, leading the team in receiving, kick returns and punt returns to the tune of 1,126 yards, 15.4 yards per touch, and three scores.