The NFL offseason season is in full-swing, which means mock drafts are flying off the presses at a rapid pace.
What every mock draft has in common is that the Denver Broncos are selecting 10th overall, with needs at linebacker, offensive line, and potentially quarterback. Let’s take a look at who the experts have Denver selecting just under two months from draft night.
Todd McShay, ESPN: Jonah Willams (Offensive Tackle), Alabama
As a team looking to upgrade the offensive line, drafting Williams would provide Denver a solid right tackle to pair with Garett Bolles. After three solid seasons at Alabama, Williams enters the draft as arguably the top lineman. Williams is a winner — 2017 National Champion — who also possesses the ability to play all five spots on the offensive line.
https://twitter.com/BillyM_91/status/1101536549911609345
Williams’ versatility is one of his greatest traits and its something that could make him an intriguing option for Denver at 10th overall. Another interesting aspect of Denver selecting Williams is McShay has LSU star linebacker Devin White going one selection later to Cincinnati. If both Willaims and White are on the board when Denver picks, it may be difficult for John Elway to decide between the two; either player could help the Broncos not just right away, but for many years to come.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: Andre Dillard (Offensive Tackle), Washington State
Here is a another mock in which Denver selecting a tackle, which is becoming a popular selection amongst draft experts. For Dillard, he is a player that had a tremendous final season at Washington State and followed it by dominating the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. Dillard is quickly becoming one of the draft’s biggest risers, which is evident in Jeremiah believing he could go as high as 10th overall to Denver.
Andre Dillard had a 94.0 pass-blocking grade this season, which was best among offensive tackles (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps). He just ran a 4.99 40-yard dash. 😤
(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/8iWu5XznxP
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 1, 2019
Not only would Dillard help new quarterback Joe Flacco out in the pass game, but he could potentially anchor the Broncos right side of the line for a long, long time. Jeremiah’s mock draft fell similar to McShay’s in that Denver selected an offensive tackle with White still on the board. It is not a forgone conclusion that White will even be available when Denver picks on draft night, but if he is, it could make for an extremely tough choice.
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: Drew Lock (Quarterback), Missouri
Now we get to a mock that looks a lot different than every one else’s, which gives the Broncos their quarterback of the future in Lock. The rumors have been swirling all offseason about the Broncos love for Lock, but that was before Denver made the trade for Flacco. Since the trade, some aren’t convinced that Denver needs a quarterback with Flacco now in the fold, but Miller still thinks that the Broncos could use a signal-caller of the future at 10th overall.
Were you impressed by Drew Lock yesterday at the combine?pic.twitter.com/uUOl5SWGLK
— PFF (@PFF) March 4, 2019
If Denver does indeed select Lock on draft night, they would handing him the keys to the kingdom once Flacco’s time in Denver is over. It would also allow Lock to learn for a season behind a veteran quarterback, which could be a major benefit in his development long-term.
Whether it is a quarterback, linebacker, or offensive tackle, the Broncos should be able to get a great football player at 10th overall no matter what.