Denver Broncos: April 9's Seven-Round Mock Draft

We are finally just more than two weeks from the NFL Draft, and it is becoming clearer by the day what every team's focus is.  For the Denver Broncos, that focus is, should, and will be on the defensive side of the ball.

First Round, 12th overall: Tyson Jackson, Defensive End, LSU

I am growing more fond of the idea of drafting Tyson Jackson by the day.  It is well documented that he is my top choice for this pick as long as B.J. Raji is off the board, and the Broncos would be wise to add the best 3-4 defensive end the draft has to offer.

Jackson stands at 6'4" 295 pounds and has been compared to former Georgia Bulldog and current New England Patriots star defensive end Richard Seymour.  Seymour was much more highly touted coming out of college, but Jackson could have a similar impact on Denver's defense. 

He is a bull-rushing, run-stuffing, ultra-athletic end and packs a great punch for his size.  He is not a refined pass rusher, but he can help the Broncos stop the run, which they have been unable to do for two years now.

First Round, 18th overall: Rey Maualuga, Middle Linebacker, USC

In all seriousness, this would be an absolute steal for the Broncos. 

In previous mock drafts, I had not anticipated that Maualuga would fall to the 18th pick, but in this one (to be released along with Tanner Thoms either tonight or tomorrow) the former USC star happens to slide into the Broncos' lap with this selection.

I have previously had Maualuga going to Denver with the 12th pick, and then the signing of Andra Davis made it a luxury.  Now, the Broncos have an extra pick, and thus, the luxury of Maualuga.

The middle linebacker position, or the defense in general, has not been the same since Al Wilson was released nearly three years ago, and the time has come for Denver to replace that intensity. 

Maualuga is a tackling machine who flies around the field and has even been compared to a larger version of Troy Polamalu.

Second Round, 48th overall: Rashad Johnson, Safety, Alabama

The theme of this off-season for the Denver Broncos has been leadership. Adding Johnson in round two would not only give the Broncos a great starting free safety, but he would be a great leader on the field in addition to Brian Dawkins.

Johnson, a former walk-on running back at Alabama, has since become an All-American safety for the Crimson Tide.  He has a nose for the ball and has excellent field speed. 

This is a great value pick here in the second round.

Third Round, 79th overall: Mitch King, Defensive End, Iowa

Leader, leader, leader.  I went to the Iowa-Wisconsin game this season, and right before the game, every Iowa player gathered in a circle around one guy: Mitch King.  King knows how to lead a team, and his play backs it up.

King was an All-American defender for the Hawkeyes in 2008, and despite his smallish stature, it is widely speculated that he will not last past the third round of this draft.  He would be an excellent fit at either 3-4 end or rush linebacker in Denver's new defensive scheme.

Third Round, 84th overall: Sammie Lee Hill, Defensive Tackle, Stillman

If the Broncos are unable to get B.J. Raji, I truly believe that the best alternative is not his teammate Ron Brace.  Brace consistently faced one-on-one matchups with opposing offensive linemen and failed to produce. 

That being said, I love Stillman tackle Sammie Lee Hill.  Hill stands at 6'4" and 329 pounds, and get this: He played defensive end in college. 

His athleticism is almost unmatched for his size, and while he will have to adjust to the speed and size of the next level, there is no doubt in my mind that he can be a starting nose tackle in the 3-4.

Fourth Round, 114th overall: Mike Thomas, Wide Receiver, Arizona

It was recently documented somewhere that the Denver Broncos were 30th in starting field position.  It is also known that Brandon Marshall is potentially facing a suspension, so the Broncos could look to address the receiver position in the third or fourth round.

Thomas is the Pac-10's all-time receptions leader, and although he only stands at 5'8", he is a speed demon with great hands and excellent return ability. 

Denver would be getting a high quality player who could eventually replace Brandon Stokley as Denver's slot receiver.

Fifth Round, 149th overall: Brandon Hughes, Cornerback, Oregon State

The Broncos lost cornerback Karl Paymah to free agency and released Dre Bly earlier this off-season.  I don't know how long Andre' Goodman will be Denver's starter, but the Broncos will need to address the cornerback position at some point in this draft.

Hughes really caught my attention at the NFL Scouting Combine with his big time speed.  Paired with Keenan Lewis at Oregon State, Hughes was more of a physical, bump corner at the line, which I think Dre' Bly should have done more of last year. 

Initially, he would contribute on special teams, but could work his way into the rotation at nickel back with the Broncos.

Sixth Round, 185th overall: John Parker Wilson, Quarterback, Alabama

Broncos' head coach Josh McDaniels will undoubtedly be looking for another late-round gem at quarterback in this draft and may find one in John Parker Wilson. 

Wilson has the competitive drive the Broncos will be looking for, and McDaniels could potentially mold him into a great quarterback sometime in the future.

Seventh Round, 225th overall: Vaughn Martin, Defensive Tackle, Western Ontario

Martin is a guy that is really high on my list of "wants" in the later rounds of this draft.  He left school as a third-year sophomore, but there is no doubt about his physical tools. 

How are these for measurables:  6'4" 330 lbs., 4.98 second 40 yard dash, 32 reps of 225 lbs. in the bench press.  The kid is an absolute freak of nature athletically, and I like his value here in round seven.

Seventh Round, 235th overall: A.Q. Shipley, Center, Penn State

I would love for the Broncos to go after Johnathan Luigs earlier in the draft, but Shipley is great value here.  He has short arms, but does not lack production. 

Casey Wiegmann is not getting any younger, and Kory Lichtensteiger may be best fit for the guard position.  Shipley is a great leader and would be a solid finish to Denver's draft.