Denver Broncos Mock Draft: Updated Day 3 Predictions
Through the first three rounds of the 2015 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos have found a new pass-rush specialist, an offensive lineman that they could plug in right away and a tight end that adds great depth to the position.
In the process, the team has taken care of some areas of need and still has six picks to use. How John Elway and his staff will choose to use those picks remains to be seen, but there are still plenty of gems to be found in this class.
Here is a look at how the rest of the draft could go for Denver.
Round 4, No. 133 Overall: Cody Prewitt, Safety, Mississippi
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How much fun would it be to see this guy in the same defensive backfield as T.J. Ward? Cody Prewitt would be a steal at pick No. 133, yet it remains a distinct possibility.
The Broncos need a new free safety after Rahim Moore left via free agency, and Prewitt brings a terrific combination of hitting ability and ball skills. He can also come up from his spot to defend the run and would make for a great complement to Ward's game.
Prewitt was the first safety to earn All-American honors at the safety position since 1973. There was a reason for that.
Prewitt is an excellent tackler, but he also creates turnovers. He had 12 interceptions and five forced fumbles during his collegiate career.
If he is still on the board when the Broncos come up in the fourth round, he makes a lot of sense.
Round 5, No. 164: Gabe Wright, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
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Gabe Wright would have to take a bit of a tumble down the board for the Broncos to be able to get him at No. 164, but we'll predict that he does.
At 6'3" and 300 pounds, Wright could be put into a rotation with Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin. The fact that the Broncos haven't selected a defensive tackle to this point may be evidence that they have more confidence in one or both of those players than many believed prior to the draft.
Wright is actually a better pass-rusher than run defender, and he has a few moves in his arsenal to get to the quarterback and make the hit or affect the throw. With that said, he would need to be more aware on running plays in order to earn playing time.
He has a solid build and wears his 300 pounds well. For a bigger player, he is also deceptively quick off the snap.
In the bottom of the fifth round, Wright would have a lot of value and fill a need. He would be tough for the Broncos to pass on at that point.
Round 6, No. 203 Overall: Max Garcia, Center, Florida
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There is no way the Broncos take just one offensive lineman in this draft, is there? Max Garcia in the sixth round would fill that need, adding depth to the center position.
The Broncos don't appear to have great options at center. They recently traded for Gino Gradkowski, but he isn't a long-term answer at the position. Garcia would give the team another option, and he is versatile enough to play more than one position, something that seems to be almost a prerequisite with Elway.
Garcia transferred to Florida from Maryland and was the only Florida lineman to play in every game over the past two seasons.
Garcia is a durable player who could push Gradkowski or whomever Denver plans to put at center this season before earning a spot on the team's practice squad, where he could develop his skills and become more consistent, particularly in the running game.
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Round 7, No. 250 Overall: Chris Bonner, Quarterback, Colorado State-Pueblo
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We'll stick with the big quarterback from the Division II level here.
You'll still hear the names of a few more quarterbacks called in this draft, including Bryce Petty and Brett Hundley. Fans expect those names to be called. Chris Bonner is a name they probably don't expect.
Bonner is a 6'7" prospect out of Colorado State-Pueblo, the school he led to a Division II championship last year. He could possibly give the Broncos some insurance should they not be able to re-sign Brock Osweiler at season's end.
There is a lot to like about Bonner's game. He has a strong arm and moves well for a player his size. He would need to prove that he could make throws against NFL competition, but in the seventh round, he would be worth a shot.
Round 7, No. 251 Overall: John Crockett, Running Back, North Dakota State
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Remember back in the day when the Broncos could seemingly plug anyone in at running back and he would run all over the opposition? Whether it was Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson or Clinton Portis, the Broncos always had a stellar running attack.
Those teams were coached by Mike Shanahan, and he received all of the credit, but Gary Kubiak probably had something to do with the success those running backs had. After all, he was the offensive coordinator.
The Broncos will be reverting back to the zone-blocking scheme, and that could really benefit the running game.
Though C.J. Anderson had a breakout season in 2014, the Denver running back corps are surrounded by more questions than answers. Most of those questions relate to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, and how effective they'll be going forward.
John Crockett is a patient runner who was a key cog for a North Dakota State team that won four straight FCS championships. North Dakota State runs a pro-style offense, which only helped prepare Crockett further for the NFL.
Crockett is a shifty runner who can also catch passes out of the backfield. He would need to improve upon his pass protection in order to make an NFL roster.
If drafted by the Broncos, he could easily earn a spot as a reserve running back; and if he blossomed into the player he has the potential to be, the Broncos may be able to part ways with either Hillman or Ball.
Round 7, No. 252 Overall: Kaelin Clay, Wide Receiver, Utah
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The Broncos need a player who can provide a spark as a kick returner. Kaelin Clay can certainly do that.
If you aren't familiar with Clay, he was the guy who dropped the ball just before getting into the end zone against Oregon last season, a play that turned the tide in Utah's upset bid of the Ducks.
Clay is a small wide receiver at just 5'9", but he wouldn't be drafted for his skills as a wide receiver. He would be taken with the lone prospect of becoming a return specialist. He handled that role well in 2014, returning three punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.
The Broncos used Isaiah Burse last season in that role and never lined him up at wide receiver once. Clay is a more explosive return man.
With the last pick of the draft, and the third in the seventh round, the Broncos don't really have a lot to lose with this pick. Why not take a flier on Clay?
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