2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Denver Broncos' Picks Following the Senior Bowl

The 2012 East-West Shrine game and Senior Bowl are now a thing of the past as the NFL draft looms ever so close.

The Bronco brass have rolled up their sleeves and are knee-deep in player evaluations, ranging from onsite scouting to film on every college program on every playing level.

Most Bronco fans debating the many mock drafts agree on basic and primary Bronco needs, but often disagree on when and where to select.

After comprehensive research of the needs of all 32 teams, I present what I believe to be a realistic look at both the deepest and thinnest of positions of need facing the Broncos with each of their picks.

First Round, No. 25: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

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Fletcher Cox is coming off an amazing 2011 season for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He compiled 56 total tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and two blocked kicks.

Cox has great quickness off the ball for a guy who's 6'4" and 295 pounds and gives a maximum effort on every play. He has a knack for making plays behind the line and uses his tremendous upper body strength to move and manhandle offensive linemen. He also has tremendous athletic ability and a huge upside.

A stellar junior season has vaulted Cox into the first round.  

Second Round No. 57: Chris Polk, RB (Washington)

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Chris Polk is a thick back with very good strength. He can consistently push the pile, as he keeps his legs moving through contact.

Polk is a tough downhill runner who displays solid patience. Arm tackles are not enough to bring him down because of his strong lower body.

His 1,341 rushing yards and 11 TDs in 2011 make him a very attractive selection for Denver, fitting John Fox's description of his prototypical back.

Polk's soft hands also make him a reliable receiver out of the backfield.

Third Round No. 88: Brandon Boykin, CB (Georgia)

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Brandon Boykin is one of the most experienced corners in college football. He played in 13 games as a freshman and started 12 games each of the past three seasons in the highly vaunted SEC.

Boykin has a very good vertical leap helping him contend with most receivers. He is known as a tremendous cover corner who has to improve some in bump-and-run coverage. Last season, he had 44 tackles, three INTs and seven pass breakups.

Far more often than not, he disrupts his receiver from making the catch and posses great hands.

Fourth Round No. 120: Brandon Weeden, QB (Oklahoma State)

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Brandon Weeden is 28 years old, and his age will most likely be the reason why he will still available in the fourth round.

Weeden has a strong arm and can make all the big throws. He has very good pocket presence and downfield vision.

Accuracy has never been an issue for him, and he displays a nice touch on short and intermediate throws. 

Weeden orchestrated a high-powered offense while at Oklahoma State. He threw for 4,727 yards and a 37/13 TD-INT ratio, and a very impressive 72.4 percent completion percentage.  

He enjoyed a huge game on a big stage in the Fiesta Bowl against Stanford and Andrew Luck: 399 yards passing, three TDs and one INT, resulting in a win.

Denver gets a mature QB with the potential to have a nice NFL career in the fourth round.

Fifth Round No. 129: (Via St. Louis) James-Michael Johnson, MLB (Nevada)

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James-Michael Johnson played outside linebacker until his junior season when he was moved to middle linebacker.

Johnson flourished at MLB, with 100 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble last season. He would bring an upgrade in Denver's coverage.

Johnson has a tremendous ability to come downhill against the run. He is a big hitter who is proficient at knocking the ball loose.

He also makes the majority of his plays inside the box and can fight through traffic to get to the QB when asked to blitz. Johnson takes good angles to the ball-carrier, plays well in space and is a good form tackler.

Fifth Round No. 152: Eric Page, WR (Toledo)

Eric Page is a dynamic playmaker who provides great value for the Broncos at this point in the draft.

Page is a great route-runner who creates nice separation. At only 5'10", Page is not the biggest WR, but he is fearless and is willing to go over the middle to make the grab. He also has good field vision and breakaway speed.

Page had rather gaudy numbers this past season, hauling in 125 passes, 1,182 yards and 10 TDs. Against Ohio State he went off for 145 yards receiving and two TDs.

Seventh Round No. 216: Olivier Vernon, DE (Miami)

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Oliver Vernon has a relentless motor and is tough to move on contact. He has a strong upper body and very long arms that he uses to shed offensive linemen in the run game to get to the ball-carrier.

He also has an above-average burst off the line in the passing game.

Vernon only played in six games in 2011 because of a suspension following the UM scandal, but in 2010 he had 39 tackle and six sacks. He is known as a run-stopping end who excels in that area, but is also quite adept in rushing the passer.