Denver Broncos Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions

The 2015 NFL draft is no longer months, weeks or even days away. It will open in a matter of hours. Yet there is still time for one final mock draft.

The draft is difficult to predict, especially when you consider the unforeseen trades that could take place, shaking up the board in the process.

For the Denver Broncos, the team should have a clear plan about how to improve their roster: strengthen the offensive line, find a solid defensive tackle and add depth at linebacker and possibly tight end. Those should be the goals of this year's draft.

Finding another top-flight pass-rusher wouldn't hurt either.

There will be multiple avenues the team could take to achieve those goals, and we'll map one of them out right here, predicting all seven rounds and all 10 picks the Broncos have at their disposal.

1st Round, Pick No. 28: D.J. Humphries, Tackle, Florida

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The Broncos need a new right tackle, so why not address that right away? If they don't, who is going to play the position this season? Chris Clark? Louis Vasquez? That hasn't exactly worked out too well in the past.

After sifting through a few other options and watching several tackles get drafted before the No. 28 overall pick, the Broncos will settle on Florida's D.J. Humphries.

Though Humphries had his last two seasons at Florida shortened by injury, his talent is quite clear. He has the athletic ability and skill set to start his career as a right tackle, but could possibly move over to the left side at some point.

The Broncos will have to hope that Humphries gets by the Carolina Panthers at No. 25. If not, they could select Cameron Erving, a center out of Florida State, or try to work a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the No. 24 pick in the first round.

2nd Round, Pick No. 59: Jordan Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma

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Could Jordan Phillips fall all the way down to the bottom of the second round? With his injury history, it is a distinct possibility.

Phillips has first-round talent, but no matter where he goes, he will be a risky pick.

He started in just a handful of games during his college career at Oklahoma and had corrective back surgery in October 2013. Back issues are not what you want to see from a man the size of Phillips (6'5", 329 lbs). Former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs would be a prime example of that.

But sometimes with risk comes high reward, and if Phillips can stay healthy, he brings undeniable ability to the field.

A very powerful player, Phillips has the ability to take games over with a nice blend of speed and agility. He would be a force against both the run and the pass and could be exactly what Wade Phillips is looking for in the middle of his defensive line.

3rd Round, Pick No. 92: Henry Anderson, Defensive End, Stanford

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Henry Anderson is a big bull who is a perfect fit for a 3-4 defensive scheme.

Anderson has a high motor and never slows down. He's also a highly intelligent player who played all over the defensive line at Stanford.

He was seventh in the Pac-12 with 15 tackles for a loss in 2014 and would be a solid run-stopper off the edge.

Bringing Anderson into a rotation that includes Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson and Antonio Smith would give the Broncos some great options.

4th Round, Pick No. 133: Cody Prewitt, Free Safety, Mississippi

The fourth round seems like an ideal time for the Broncos to look for Rahim Moore's replacement, and if Cody Prewitt is there, he'd be an excellent choice.

Prewitt would not only be a player that could hold up in coverage, he is an excellent tackler and exhibits great timing in shutting down the running game.

He takes great angles when pursuing the ball-carrier and brings plenty of experience, having started 41 games in the SEC. Prewitt is a nice, solid free safety who would be a tremendous value at this stage in the draft.

5th Round, Pick No. 143: Jeremiah Poutasi, Guard, Utah

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Adding more depth to the offensive line, the Broncos select Jeremiah Poutasi with their first pick in the fifth round.

Poutasi can be a bully, pushing defenders around with ease. However, he can be susceptible to quicker speed-rushers and is best suited to play guard in the NFL, despite starting for two seasons as Utah's left tackle.

"

Not surprised to see Jeremiah Poutasi as a late riser on media draft boards. i think he has as much potential as any O-Lineman in the draft.

— buffalobillswarroom (@NFLWarRoom) April 28, 2015"

Still, Poutasi's versatility could prove vital as he develops his game and learns better technique working with the Broncos coaching staff.

5th Round, Pick No. 164: Bryce Hager, Linebacker, Baylor

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Does the name sound familiar? To Denver fans, it might.

Bryce Hager is the son of Britt Hager, the all-time leader in tackles at the University of Texas and a member of the Broncos from 1995-96. And Bryce looks to be every bit the tackling machine that his father was.

His ability to diagnose plays and wrap up ball-carriers in the open field would earn him a spot in the rotation. However, Hager doesn't have great speed, so learning to fight off blocks rather than go around them would be crucial. Unless his pass coverage improves, he may only be a two-down player as well.

6th Round, Pick No. 203: Nick O'Leary, Tight End, Florida State

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In the sixth round, the Broncos find their replacement tight end by selecting one of Jameis Winston's favorite targets from their time together at Florida State.

Nick O'Leary looks like an old-school tight end when you watch him play, and Denver head coach Gary Kubiak would love his qualities.

Not only does O'Leary have very good hands, he is also tough to bring down, always fighting for every inch he can get. At Florida State, he had experience lining up all over the field, including in the backfield as a lead blocker or fullback.

"

I really like Nick O'Leary on the move. TE, H-back, fullback...whatever. He can play.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 22, 2015"

Kubiak has always been creative with his tight ends, which is one of the reasons why Owen Daniels has enjoyed a successful NFL career. O'Leary could easily follow in his footsteps.

7th Round, Pick No. 250: Chris Bonner, Quarterback, Colorado State-Pueblo

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The Broncos have three picks in a row at the end of the seventh round, and they can afford to take some chances with them.

The first of those will be used on a quarterback who most of the country probably hasn't even heard of.

Playing at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo, Chris Bonner is an intriguing prospect. The similarities between he and current Broncos backup Brock Osweiler are clear.

Bonner is 6'7" with a strong arm and the ability to make plays with his feet. He would have to prove that he could make throws against NFL defenses, but he has many traits that the coaching staff would love to work with and fine-tune.

"

Chris Bonner is more "pro-ready" than Bryce Petty from both a mechanical and schematic standpoint.

— Jordan Plocher (@StarvingScout) April 26, 2015"

Why would the Broncos draft a quarterback similar to Osweiler when they already have him and all of his untapped potential? The simple answer is that 2015 is the final year of Osweiler's rookie contract. Denver may not be able to retain him at season's end.

7th Round, Pick No. 251: Levi Norwood, Wide Receiver, Baylor

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The Broncos really aren't trying to have a family reunion by selecting Baylor players, but Levi Norwood is another prospect that has family ties to the Broncos. In fact, his brother, Jordan, is currently a member of the team.

The Broncos would select Norwood in hopes that he could contribute on special teams, and perhaps as a wide receiver down the line. The Broncos need someone who can help out as a return specialist, but any player they take this deep in the draft will have their work cut out for them to make the roster.

7th Round, Pick No. 252: John Crockett, Running Back, North Dakota State

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Though the Broncos appear to have solid depth at the running back position, that seems to change on a frequent basis.

C.J. Anderson started the season third on the Broncos depth chart last year before eventually becoming an alternate in the Pro Bowl. Ronnie Hillman has shown flashes, but he hasn't lived up to being a high third-round draft pick. Montee Ball doesn't seem to have much of a future with the team at this point.

With that said, why not try to find another late-round gem? After all, Anderson and Juwan Thompson both went undrafted as rookies.

John Crockett could be that player.

Crockett comes from North Dakota State, a school that has dominated the FCS level and has developed a habit of shocking FBS schools. He comes from a pro-style offense and has a great set of skills. Crockett is a patient runner who is also a solid receiver out of the backfield and possesses breakaway speed.

Crockett is a player teams shouldn't reach for, but he is well worth a shot in the seventh round. If he's drafted here, Crockett would have a good chance of earning a spot in Denver's rotation.