Broncos Mock Draft: Instant Contributors Denver Can Find in Every Round
The Denver Broncos are working feverishly behind the scenes to construct their draft board for the 2015 NFL draft. Without a huge free-agent budget, the Broncos were not able to fill some of their biggest needs through the open market. They need to find players who can play big roles for the team in 2015 through the NFL draft—players who can start as rookies in the pros.
There are still a few starting positions where there’s no set answer for 2015. Free agency was only a part of the puzzle. The draft will give us a clearer picture on what Denver is going to look like this season.
This is a good—not great—draft class in my opinion. There are a few positions with very strong classes—running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle. Other classes are not as strong—tight end, quarterback, safety.
The Broncos need to pick from the strength of this class while also finding quality talent and upside at the weaker positions.
Here is a mock draft for the Broncos with instant contributors they can find in every round.
1st Round
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It’s looking more and more like the Broncos are zeroing in on a right tackle in the first round of the draft. They could use a first-round tackle to compete with last year’s third-round pick Michael Schofield for the starting right tackle job. The Broncos will have several options in the first round, and I really like the group of tackles available in this draft class.
A player that might be a perfect fit is Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings.
A former high school basketball star, Clemmings began his collegiate career as a defensive lineman. Two years ago, he switched to the offensive side of the ball and became a solid starter for the Panthers.
Clemmings still plays with an aggressive mindset even though he’s now on offense. This approach helps him immensely in the trenches. Clemmings is not afraid of the fight inside, and he can dominate his man up front.
He has great foot quickness, and this helps him set up against edge-rushers tasked with getting to his quarterback. Clemmings has a good initial kick step, and he has the athleticism to mirror opposing pass-rushers. He plays with a wide base that makes him tough to get around.
Clemmings’ technique is raw, but his upside is out of this world. He needs to do a better job with his hand placement, and Clemmings needs to keep his confidence level higher after getting burned.
With proper coaching by new offensive line coach Clancy Barone, the Broncos could have a star in the making with a guy like Clemmings.
2nd Round
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This is a mock with players who can make an instant impact. This is why you won’t see a quarterback like Garrett Grayson (Colorado State) or Bryce Petty (Baylor) in this spot. Instead, the Broncos need to address the center position.
They could always add a free agent like Chris Myers or Will Montgomery before the draft, but going into the season with Matt Paradis penciled in as the starter is risky. Denver needs more talent at the position.
Oregon’s Hroniss Grasu might be on the board when the Broncos pick at the end of the second round.
A player who shines with athleticism and technique, Grasu would be a fine fit for the zone-blocking system the Broncos will implement this year. Grasu has good initial quickness after he snaps the ball, and he moves well laterally to start the play.
He can hold his own on the line, but Grasu can also be relied on as a “sticky blocker” at the second level of the defense. Grasu does a good job of locating his man in space and getting his hands on him quickly.
Injuries are a concern with Grasu, but toughness is not. Grasu played most of 2014 banged up, and he had minor leg surgery last November which ended his final season with the Ducks.
If he checks out medically, Grasu could come in and compete with Paradis for the starting job. He’s more naturally talented than Paradis, and Grasu might be able to win the starting job coming out of camp.
3rd Round
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The Broncos defense is going to need depth at nose tackle. We’ll likely see 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams line up as the starter at the beginning of camp. Behind him, Marvin Austin will compete for playing time up front. The Broncos should be considering a rookie to compete at the position as well.
In the third round, Clemson’s Grady Jarrett would be a fine pick.
Jarrett has a squatty build at 6’1”, 308 pounds—and he has the frame to add more weight if necessary. His size allows him to control the point of attack, and Jarrett does a good job of consistently being the first man off the ball. This gets him into his blocker first and helps to get initial punch/push.
He can clog up the middle, but Jarrett can also hustle to the edges if need be. Jarrett is fairly agile for a big man, and he can elude taller interior linemen on his way to the play.
Jarrett’s stamina is a concern, but he could be a nice asset as a rotational player for the Broncos. Let him compete for snaps behind Williams and Austin, and Jarrett could be an effective part-time nose tackle.
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4th Round
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Denver initially didn’t have a fourth-round pick this year because of last year's trade with the San Francisco 49ers, which moved the team up in the second round to select wide receiver Cody Latimer. A compensatory pick for losing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie gets Denver back into the round.
They don’t have a true fullback on the roster, and that’s something they could address at this point in the draft. Alabama’s Jalston Fowler is a player that should be on their radar.
At 5’11”, 255 pounds, Fowler is built like a road-grader—and his playing style backs that comparison up. Fowler doesn’t shy away from contact, and he’s strong at the point of the play. He will often deliver a crushing blow to an opponent tasked with bringing him or the running back behind him down.
In addition to run blocking, Fowler has shown a willingness in pass protection. He can rock linebackers, safeties or corners sent to get his quarterback.
Fowler has good vision as a runner, and he has the body control to create his own space with power or subtle moves. He can also work well as a receiver out of the backfield. Fowler is not just adept at catching screen passes, he can run wheel routes against linebackers and get open.
The Broncos will have a new-look rushing attack in 2015. They’ll use the zone-blocking system to create rushing lanes for C.J. Anderson, and they’ll find a fullback to help crease the defense. Fowler is largely considered the top fullback in this draft class, and he could instantly help the Broncos.
5th Round
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The Broncos have two picks to spend in this round. The talent is diminishing, but there are intriguing players who could fit in the right system. Denver needs to identify such talent.
Even though they added Darian Stewart in free agency, the Broncos might be looking for other options at free safety. There has been some internal discussion about moving cornerback Bradley Roby to free safety, and even Kayvon Webster could be an option for the position. Another option is looking for a free safety in the draft.
Kurtis Drummond from Michigan State might still be on the board at this time, and Denver should have interest. Drummond has good size at 6’1”, 208 pounds, and he has the athleticism to be a good center fielder when the play is kept in front of him. Drummond is not a big hitter, but he’s more of a drag-tackler. He also can get burnt by players who get deep.
Outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel from North Dakota State would be an intriguing pick here. You can never have too many pass-rushers, and after a 19.5-sack season in 2015, Emanuel was named First Team FCS All-American, First Team All-Missouri Valley, Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year and won the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS top defensive player).
Emanuel plays with a motor that just won’t quit. Known as a leader and hard worker, Emanuel has strength at the point of the play and arrives at the ball-carrier with natural violence. With a low center of gravity, Emanuel can bend around the edge to get to the quarterback. Emanuel doesn’t have a bag of tricks as a pass-rusher, instead too often relying on his ability to get under and around slower offensive tackles. He could be a fine special teams player and part-time pass-rusher for the Broncos.
6th Round
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As we get deeper in the draft, instant-impact players are more difficult to find—but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there. At this point in the draft, the Broncos should be looking for players with at least one asset that provides huge developmental upside.
This is what makes West Virginia defensive end Shaquille Riddick an interesting prospect.
Riddick had a productive career at FCS-level Gardner-Webb before transferring to play for the Mountaineers during his final year of eligibility. He struggled to make an impact early last year, but he had a breakout game against Baylor, compiling four tackles for loss and three sacks. He ended up finishing the season as West Virginia’s top pass-rusher with seven sacks in 2014.
Measuring in at 6’6”, 245 pounds, there’s a lot to like about Riddick’s upside. His height and wingspan make him a player who can clog up passing lanes when he doesn’t get to the quarterback. Riddick plays with a nonstop motor, and he’s incredibly quick off the snap.
His quickness and length help him close on a quarterback in a hurry. Riddick is not a power player, and he could use about 10 or 15 more pounds of muscle to excel at the pro level.
With little experience against big-time competition, Riddick is certainly a project. His upside and potential make Riddick a risk worth gambling on—especially at this point in the draft. Riddick could see the field as a part-time pass-rusher for the Broncos in 2015.
7th Round
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The Broncos have three picks to spend in the final round of the 2015 NFL draft. This team has done a fantastic job of finding quality talent both late in the draft and also through the acquisition of undrafted free agents.
A potential late-round pick for the Broncos is tight end Blake Bell from Oklahoma. The former Sooners quarterback has one year of experience at tight end, but his athleticism and upside make him an intriguing developmental pick.
I liked what Bell showed during the week of practice for the East-West Shrine Game earlier this year. At 6’6”, 260 pounds, there is a slight dash of Rob Gronkowski to his game. Bell creates mismatches every time he lines up on the field. He’s too big for safeties to stay with, and he’s too fast for linebackers to cover. In some ways, Bell is a lot like former Broncos tight end Julius Thomas.
The team needs to find a third tight end behind Owen Daniels and Virgil Green. Bell could be that guy, and he might see the field as a rookie in red-zone situations because of his size, wingspan and leaping ability.
A defensive tackle to consider late is UCLA’s Ellis McCarthy. At 6’5”, 330 pounds, McCarthy eats up a lot of space in the middle of the defensive line. He has the ability to play nose tackle or defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. McCarthy would be a part-time player as a rookie, but he could be an important part of a rotation that right now has a question mark at starter in Sylvester Williams.
A linebacker to think about drafting late is Newberry’s Edmond Robinson. He’s a long athlete at 6’3”, 245 pounds, and Robinson could probably add 10 pounds or more of muscle to his frame. Robinson has outstanding athletic ability which could help him on special teams as a rookie. He can cover at the pro level, but he must improve his size and functional strength in order to develop into a potential three-down player.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.
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