Denver Broncos 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

For a team that just won the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos have a lot of pressure to do well in the upcoming NFL draft.

Most defending champions have the luxury of relaxing on draft day, waiting for the best available player to fall to them to improve an already stacked roster. However, Denver has a number of specific holes it needs to plug if it wants to get back into contention and win another title.

The biggest question mark going into next season is clearly at quarterback. Recently acquired veteran Mark Sanchez is the presumed starter after Peyton Manning's retirement and projected quarterback of the future Brock Osweiler signing with the Houston Texans. While the team has been considering other options, all signs point to the squad taking a quarterback at some point in the draft.

Meanwhile, the departures of Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan through free agency leave some openings on the defensive side of things that need to be addressed.

On the plus side, there is still plenty of talent on this roster and with the right additions, this team can once again be the one to beat in the NFL. The Broncos have 10 draft picks, including four in the first two days, and it wouldn't be a big surprise to see them aggressively make deals to get the players they want. Even if they do stay put, however, there are plenty of options in a deep draft to help the squad in each round.

Here is a look at a Denver-specific mock draft along with a big board to help prepare for the big event.

Top-100 Big Board

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Teams always want to draft the best player available, but a need will often take a precedent. The key to a successful draft is balancing need while not reaching just to get a specific position.

In this big board, the Broncos needs (and fits) are weighted more heavily, although the reality is there is no position that is completely off the table. For example, a player such as Jalen Ramsey would represent a lot of value if he were to become available at the end of the first round, even though the squad is in good shape at cornerback. Sometimes you just have to draft talent and let the rest fall into place.

Otherwise, here is a look at how Denver should approach the early part of the draft.

Denver Broncos Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Jared Goff	QB	California
2	DeForest Buckner	DE	Oregon
3	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
4	Carson Wentz	QB	North Dakota State
5	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
6	Myles Jack	OLB	UCLA
7	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
8	Jalen Ramsey	CB	Florida State
9	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
10	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio State
11	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
12	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
13	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
14	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
15	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
16	Darron Lee	OLB	Ohio State
17	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
18	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
19	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
20	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
21	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
22	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
23	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
24	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
25	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
26	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
27	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
28	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
29	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
30	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
31	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
32	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
33	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
34	Jaylon Smith	OLB	Notre Dame
35	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
36	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
37	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
38	Keanu Neal	S	Florida
39	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
40	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State
41	Maliek Collins	DT	Nebraska
42	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
43	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
44	Noah Spence	DE	Eastern Kentucky
45	Christian Hackenberg	QB	Penn State
46	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
47	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
48	Karl Joseph	S	West Virginia
49	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
50	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
51	Nick Vannett	TE	Ohio State
52	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
53	Vonn Bell	S	Ohio State
54	Su'a Cravens	OLB	USC
55	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
56	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
57	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
58	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
59	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State
60	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
61	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
62	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
63	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
64	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
65	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
66	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
67	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
68	Joshua Perry	ILB	Ohio State
69	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
70	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State
71	Jerell Adams	TE	South Carolina
72	Kamalei Correa	OLB	Boise State
73	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
74	Hassan Ridgeway	DT	Texas
75	Dak Prescott	QB	Mississippi State
76	Jerald Hawkins	OT	LSU
77	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
78	Willie Henry	DT	Michigan
79	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
80	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
81	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
82	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pittsburgh
83	Cardale Jones	QB	Ohio State
84	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple
85	Darian Thompson	S	Boise State
86	Scooby Wright	ILB	Arizona
87	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
88	Sebastian Tretola	OG	Arkansas
89	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
90	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (FL)
91	Tyler Higbee	TE	Western Kentucky
92	Nick Kwiatkowski	ILB	West Virginia
93	Kyle Murphy	OT	Stanford
94	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
95	Darrelle Greene	OG	San Diego State
96	B.J. Goodson	ILB	Baylor
97	Jack Allen	C	Michigan State
98	Deion Jones	OLB	LSU
99	Shawn Oakman	DE	Baylor
100	Jacoby Brissett	QB	North Carolina State

Round 1

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Round 1, Pick 31: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

There might not be a more polarizing player in the 2016 draft than Robert Nkemdiche.

On the surface, the defensive lineman has as much upside as almost anyone in the class. He has great size (6'3", 294 pounds) and the pure athleticism necessary to play multiple spots along the defensive line. He has also shown the ability to make an impact no matter where he lines up.

Conversely, there are a few red flags surrounding the former Ole Miss star. On the field, he had an inconsistent college career while lacking much production in the way of tackles and sacks. There are also a few more question marks off the field, most notably an incident where he fell out of a hotel window and was cited for marijuana possession. 

These issues will likely push Nkemdiche down draft boards and potentially out of the first round altogether.

However, the Broncos showed a willingness to take Shane Ray in the first round last year after the pass-rusher earned a marijuana citation just days before the draft. Once again, the talent is worth the risk.

According to 247Sports, Nkemdiche was the consensus No. 1 player in the 2013 recruiting class with the explosiveness to get into the backfield and make a play against the run or the pass. If he lives up to his potential, he could pick up right where Malik Jackson left off on the defensive line and help ensure the Broncos defense remains as dominant as it was a year ago.

Denver proved last season that a strong defense could overcome weak quarterback play, which means solidifying that side of the ball should be worth avoiding a reach at quarterback.

Round 2

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Round 2, Pick 63: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State

Assuming the trio of Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch are off the board before the Broncos pick in Round 1, the team should wait until at least the next round to solve their quarterback issues. Someone will probably take Connor Cook in Round 2, but Denver ending up with Christian Hackenberg at the end of the second round should be considered a win for the organization.

Like Nkemdiche, there are certainly doubters when it comes to Hackenberg. A big issue came up during the combine when he made a major mistake during the interviews, per Robert Klemko of The MMQB:

"

The quarterback has said all the wrong things in interviews when asked to explain his declining sophomore and junior numbers (a combined 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions). Hackenberg has shifted blame to coach James Franklin, who took over in 2014 when coach Bill O’Brien departed for the Texans. Said one evaluator: "Despite the fact that it’s probably true, you don’t want to hear a kid say that."

"

It was obviously the wrong thing to say, although the quarterback did have a point. He was much more successful as a freshman under Bill O'Brien than either of the past two years when the offensive line couldn't block and there was no plan in place to help Hackenberg succeed. 

Despite the struggles at Penn State, the young player has all the traits you look for in a starting quarterback. He has good size at 6'4" with a strong and accurate arm to go with solid athleticism for the position. Although he might not be able to take the reins on day one, his future is bright.

Most of Hackenberg's problems are mental, which means with the right coaching, he could become a star. This could mean Mark Sanchez begins the year as the starter, but even that wouldn't be the worst strategy for a team that is good in every other area.

Denver probably has interest in other quarterbacks in this class, and while a player like Dak Prescott could be more ready to play early, you want upside at this stage of the draft, and Hackenberg provides it.

Round 3

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Round 3, Pick 94: Joshua Perry, ILB, Ohio State

It was sometimes tough to keep track of all the prospects on Ohio State, especially on defense with Joey Bosa, Darron Lee, Vonn Bell and others consistently making plays. However, Joshua Perry was as dominant as any of them in college and can continue this trend in the NFL.

The inside linebacker tallied 229 tackles over his final two seasons in Columbus, leading the team during the 2014 run to the national championship. He was first-team All-Big Ten during his senior season as well as co-captain of one of the best squads in college football, commanding respect as a player and a leader.

Without elite speed or lateral quickness, Perry won't be able to cover sideline to sideline in the NFL. He also might struggle to cover faster tight ends or running backs out of the backfield on passing downs.

However, Perry is a sure tackler and has great instincts on the field to be a stud against the run. He is perfect as a 3-4 inside linebacker and could form a quality tandem alongside Brandon Marshall in the middle of the field. 

Round 3, Pick 98: Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri

The Broncos finally are able to add some help to an offensive line that struggled mightily last season. Khaled Elsayed of Pro Football Focus ranked the unit No. 20 in the NFL, including 23rd on passing plays and 21st on runs.

Although Connor McGovern is still a bit raw, he could help out right away as one of the strongest players in the entire draft. He totaled 33 reps on the bench press at the combine, which tied for the second-most reps in the class behind only Arizona State's Christian Westerman. The strength isn't just for show, either, as the guard knows how to use his leverage on the field and clear space for running backs as a mauling run-blocker.

The Missouri player is also versatile enough to play multiple positions along the offensive line, spending time at both guard and tackle in college. His questionable play as a pass-blocker might force a team to avoid putting him in space on the outside, making his immediate future at guard, but either spot is a possibility for the 6'4", 306-pound player.

With Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis no longer with the team, Denver needs help on the offensive line, and McGovern could provide that.

Round 4

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Round 4, Pick 136: Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA

Whether you call him a wide receiver or tight end, the fact is Thomas Duarte is a playmaker.

The UCLA product is listed at 6'2", 231 pounds, which is a bit on the small side for a tight end, but he makes up for it with solid speed and great explosiveness, which helped him finish this past season with 10 receiving touchdowns.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network posted one of his bigger plays of the year against USC, comparing the player to Jordan Reed with his "burst, quickness and ball skills."

Like Reed and many other tight ends in today's NFL, Duarte would likely spend a lot of time split wide where he can get a free release yet still be able to burn linebackers and safeties down the field. If used correctly, he can provide the impact the Broncos were hoping to get when they acquired Vernon Davis last season.

Denver is still hoping last year's third-round pick, Jeff Heuerman, can make an impact after missing his rookie season with a torn ACL, but Duarte would provide yet another weapon for whoever is under center.

Round 5

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Round 5, Pick 144: Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State

The rise of quarterback Carson Wentz has brought more attention to Joe Haeg, the man who spent the past two years blocking for the projected first-round pick at North Dakota State.

Haeg stands at 6'6" with a lot of explosiveness for the position and the experience of a four-year starter for a program that won a national championship every season. While winning at the college level doesn't mean much for the NFL—especially for an offensive lineman at an FCS school—the big man was a big part of the team's success in recent years while showing the ability to dominate weaker opponents.

Now the question is whether the tackle has what it takes to handle a major step up in competition. He has all the physical tools, but he still needs to prove he can slow down pass-rushers with a lot more speed than he is used to seeing.

Fortunately for Denver, there isn't an immediate opening at either tackle spot after the organization signed Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson this offseason. What the team does need is depth and a possible future starter at left tackle, two things Haeg will be able to provide.

With a relatively high floor for Day 3 and plenty of upside, this would be a perfect pick at this point.

Round 5, Pick 157: Justin Simmons, FS, Boston College

The Broncos don't need a starter at safety next season with T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart returning, but depth is a major issue, especially with both players missing plenty of game time over the past year.

Justin Simmons becomes the perfect addition in this case with the experience and instincts to make an impact right away if needed. Although the safety was on an awful team at Boston College, he did his best to make a difference with 67 tackles to go with a team-high five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He covered a lot of ground and always seemed to be around the ball over the past couple of years.

His skills also should translate to the NFL thanks to his 6'2" frame and leaping ability (40-inch vertical at the combine led all safeties). This will make him a dangerous weapon in the middle of the field for quarterbacks trying to throw over him.

A lack of strength makes him better suited for free safety, but his ability to make plays on the ball makes him worthy of an opportunity.

Round 6

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Round 6, Pick 219: Wendell Smallwood, RB, West Virginia

Although Mike Klis of KUSA reported the Broncos might soon re-sign Ronnie Hillman, the team could still use some depth in the backfield next to C.J. Anderson. After all, this is a squad that dealt with multiple injuries at the position a year ago and will likely rely on the run game even more this year.

The best available player at this point is Wendell Smallwood, the 5'10", 208-pound running back out of West Virginia.

Smallwood is coming off a highly productive season where he led the Big 12 with 1,519 rushing yards while averaging 6.4 yards per game. While a spread offense helped out a lot, the running back also showcased good vision to find openings and turn short runs into big gains. After reportedly posting a sub-4.40 40-yard dash at his pro day, according to Metro News' Allan Taylor, it's clear he also has the speed necessary to break some runs at the next level.

While the running back won't have the agility to post highlight-reel plays as often as someone like Ezekiel Elliott, he can get the most out of his blocking more times than not, which is usually all you need to do to be successful in the NFL.

As a secondary option off the bench to spell Anderson and maybe Hillman, Smallwood would be a great fit.

Round 7

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Round 7, Pick 228: Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU

Denver has two great receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but neither is a true burner on the field. Enter Kolby Listenbee, a track star who is one of the fastest players in the class. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine, an impressive feat for an athlete still struggling with a strained groin. It's hard to imagine how fast his time would've been if he was healthy.

The TCU receiver was the ideal complement to Josh Doctson the last couple of years with his ability to take the top off the defense. Opponents are forced to account for Listenbee's speed, opening the rest of the field up for teammates to make plays.

Even if Listenbee doesn't get a catch, his presence alone can make a major impact in a game.

Of course, the receiver is also capable of making plays himself, totaling 1,350 receiving yards the past two seasons on an average of 19 yards per catch. While he needs to develop his route-running skills and add some strength, you can't replicate speed.

In the seventh round, this is certainly worth the flyer.

Round 7, Pick 253: Quinton Jefferson, DT, Maryland

The Broncos add more depth to the defensive line with the very last pick in the draft.

Quinton Jefferson excels at penetrating into the backfield and blowing up a play before it gets started. He has a quick first step and advanced technique that allows him to beat blockers at the line of scrimmage. If he is going to play defensive tackle in the NFL, however, he will need to also learn how to take on double-teams to free up the rest of the defense.

At 6'4" and 291 pounds, he has the size to play multiple spots along the defensive line. He also has the experience in a 3-4 system that could allow him to come in and contribute right away wherever he is needed.

This is not the type of pick that will excite a fanbase, but Jefferson will help a team win games.

All measurables and combine stats via NFL.com. College stats courtesy of school websites. 

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