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

The NFL draft is wildly unpredictable, especially for a team targeting a variety of positions like the Denver Broncos.

While this group is coming off a Super Bowl title, a number of departures in free agency have left holes at key positions on both sides of the ball. These needs must be addressed in the draft, although the priorities could be anyone's guess. This is a front office that has proved to select value over need and could easily do the same throughout the seven rounds this year.

As a result, there are a number of different directions the organization can go with its seven picks. My projection from last week has the team going defense first, while a more recent mock draft has a quarterback taken in Round 1, affecting the choices for every ensuing round.

This mock is yet another angle the team could take, proving the multitude of possibilities for the organization this week. Although we don't exactly know the options until the draft begins, here is a look at a big board for the team and some potential picks for Denver throughout the seven rounds.

Top-100 Big Board

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The Denver Broncos have some obvious needs heading into the 2016 NFL draft, including at quarterback, inside linebacker and defensive end. While value is always important, there is a premium when it comes to filling holes on the roster.

On the other hand, no position can be truly ruled out for the Broncos, and if a good enough player falls to them, they shouldn't be afraid to pull the trigger. This will create an interesting draft board heading into the first round, taking into account both need and value.

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	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
7	Myles Jack	OLB	UCLA
8	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
9	Jalen Ramsey	CB	Florida State
10	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio State
11	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
12	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
13	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
14	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
15	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
16	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
17	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
18	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
19	Darron Lee	OLB	Ohio State
20	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
21	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
22	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
23	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
24	Ryan Kelly	C	Oklahoma
25	Karl Joseph	S	West Virginia
26	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
27	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
28	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
29	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
30	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
31	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
32	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
33	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
34	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
35	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
36	Keanu Neal	S	Florida
37	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
38	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
39	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
40	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
41	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State
42	Maliek Collins	DT	Nebraska
43	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
44	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
45	Jaylon Smith	OLB	Notre Dame
46	Christian Hackenberg	QB	Penn State
47	Noah Spence	DE	Western Kentucky
48	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
49	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
50	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
51	Vonn Bell	S	Ohio State
52	Su'a Cravens	OLB	USC
53	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
54	Nick Vannett	TE	Ohio State
55	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
56	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
57	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
58	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
59	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State
60	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
61	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
62	Dak Prescott	QB	Mississippi State
63	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
64	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
65	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
66	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
67	Joshua Perry	ILB	Ohio State
68	T.J. Green	S	Clemson
69	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
70	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
71	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
72	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State
73	Jerrell Adams	TE	South Carolina
74	Kamalei Correa	OLB	Boise State
75	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
76	Hassan Ridgeway	DT	Texas
77	Jerald Hawkins	OT	LSU
78	Willie Henry	DT	Michigan
79	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
80	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
81	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
82	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
83	Jacoby Brissett	QB	North Carolina State
84	Scooby Wright	ILB	Arizona
85	Darian Thompson	S	Boise State
86	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple
87	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
88	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pittsburgh
89	Sebastian Tretola	OG	Arkansas
90	Justin Simmons	S	Boston College
91	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (FL)
92	Tyler Higbee	TE	Western Kentucky
93	Joe Haeg	OT	North Dakota State
94	Nick Kwiatkowski	ILB	West Virginia
95	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
96	Jack Allen	C	Michigan State
97	B.J. Goodson	ILB	Clemson
98	Deion Jones	OLB	LSU
99	Cardale Jones	QB	Ohio State
100	DeAndre Houston-Carson	S	William & Mary

Round 1

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Round 1, Pick 31: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

The offensive line has already undergone a number of changes this offseason, and the team likely isn't done tinkering with this unit. Guards Evan Mathis and Louis Vasquez are gone, along with tackle Ryan Clady, while free agents Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson are expected to join the starting lineup as bookend tackles.

What the team still needs is an upgrade at guard as well as a potential franchise tackle who could develop and become a starter down the line. Germain Ifedi fills both of these needs in one pick.

The Texas A&M product is a physically imposing player at 6'6", 324 pounds, with 36-inch arms giving him ideal length for the position. He also knows how to use his body while demonstrating great strength at the point of attack, especially on run plays as he mauls opponents out of the lane.

Ifedi also believes he will bring more than just his physical attributes. When asked about why he should be a first-round pick, the lineman responded, per Andrew Walker of Redskins.com: 

"

Just the player I am, the football intelligence, the aggressiveness and nastiness I play with, the versatility I bring to the field. A lot of things you want in an offensive lineman, I think I bring to the table: the leadership aspect, everything you want I think I bring to the table. I believe they’ll believe the same thing.

"

The versatility is especially important since Ifedi spent time at both guard and tackle at the college level. At guard, he could be an immediate starter for the Broncos and help improve a rushing attack that was way too inconsistent last season. Meanwhile, he would still have time to improve as a pass-blocker and become a tackle down the line if needed.

Even with more pressing needs, the Broncos could get a quality player at the end of the first round who could be around for a long time.

Round 2

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Round 2, Pick 63: Kentrell Brothers, ILB, Missouri

The loss of Danny Trevathan leaves a huge hole in the middle of the Broncos defense, but Kentrell Brothers is someone who can make fans forget about the departed linebacker.

Brothers is coming off an incredibly productive season that he finished with 152 tackles, including 12 for a loss. He has excellent instincts to find the ball and is always there to make a play. While he is a bit undersized (6'0", 245 lbs), he doesn't let that affect his tackling ability and rarely lets a player get out of his grasp.

One of the biggest question marks about Brothers is a lack of elite speed, which could prevent him from being a sideline-to-sideline stopper at the next level. However, he makes up for it with good lateral quickness, as demonstrated by his 4.11-second shuttle run at the combine, which was second best among linebackers. This agility is more than enough for him to move around in space and make a play on the ball.

The Missouri star will be a perfect fit in the 3-4 defense, where he can be a premier run-stopper who can also drop back in coverage when needed. His production in the SEC shows he will be able to step into the starting lineup on Day 1 and create a dangerous tandem alongside Brandon Marshall.

With some of the top linebackers in the sport showing him the way, Brothers could develop into a true star on the defensive end.

Round 3

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Round 3, Pick 94: Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State

It's always difficult to judge value of quarterbacks in the draft because there could always be a team willing to reach for one early. However, this is right about where Dak Prescott should be taken, and it would be the perfect fit for the Broncos if he is available.

Prescott doesn't have the polish of some of the other quarterbacks in this class and at 6'2", he is also among the shorter players in consideration on the first two days. He doesn't fit the mold of a prototypical passing prospect teams look for during this process.

However, what makes Prescott unique also makes him worthy of an early draft pick. The Mississippi State star is a dynamic athlete who finished his career with 2,521 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. He even added three receiving scores at the college level.

Of course, this shouldn't overshadow his ability as a pocket quarterback. Prescott is an accurate passer who makes good decisions with the ball, as evident by his 29-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio during his senior season. Despite having little talent around him, he found a way to be successful against some of the best competition in college football.

His adjustment to a pro-style offense might take some time, meaning the Broncos would likely have to stick with Mark Sanchez as their Week 1 starter, but Prescott could eventually become the franchise quarterback in Denver. 

Round 3, Pick 98: Jihad Ward, DT, Illinois

The loss of Malik Jackson makes finding a replacement a major priority, but defensive line might be the deepest positional group in this class. The Broncos don't necessarily have to rush to get an impact player in Round 1 when they can wait and get a quality prospect on Day 2 or even Day 3.

One example is Jihad Ward, a versatile player who can succeed at just about any position along the defensive line. The 6'5", 297-pound prospect won't necessarily put up noteworthy stats in the box score, but he makes a major impact on the game thanks to his ability to penetrate into the backfield as well as take on blockers to free up space for teammates.

Ward's style of play could make him a perfect fit as a 3-4 defensive end, forcing offenses to account for him while allowing players like Von Miller to get an easy look at the quarterback. Once again, he might not always be the one who gets the glory, but he will be a vital part of the defense.

While the Illinois player has rocketed up draft boards in recent weeks and could be gone by this point, Denver should keep an eye on him as a primary target on Day 2.

Round 4

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Round 4, Pick 136: DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary

After losing reserves David Bruton and Omar Bolden this offseason, the Broncos are incredibly thin at safety. T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart should return as starters, but both missed time due to injury last season and both have uncertain futures.

With DeAndre Houston-Carson, the Broncos would be adding a player who could be an impact player in the secondary down the line while also possessing the ability to contribute during his rookie season if needed.

The William & Mary player has prototypical size for the position at 6'1", with the speed and instincts necessary to cover a lot of ground in the defensive backfield. While he is better suited to play safety in the NFL, he has experience at cornerback and could be used for depth at either spot.

Meanwhile, Houston-Carson might be even better against the run, as he led his team with over 100 tackles last season. He is willing to step up in the box and use his physicality to make plays on the runner, something often lacking from fellow defensive backs.

The increase in competition will force him to improve his technique instead of relying on athleticism, but he should eventually come around and be a quality NFL player, giving the Broncos exactly what they need from the position.

Round 5

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Round 5, Pick 144: Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas

The Broncos re-signed both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, which means there is no need to spend an early draft pick on a full-time running back. Still, it wouldn't hurt to add someone who could provide a new dimension for what should be a run-heavy offense.

Jonathan Williams already knows how to succeed in a committee, rushing for 1,190 yards with 12 touchdowns despite splitting time with Alex Collins at Arkansas. He isn't a burner but has the quickness to move in small areas and make defenders miss while also possessing the strength to break tackles head-on.

The running back also has excellent vision to find openings anywhere on the field before hitting the hole hard. This could allow him to be extremely successful behind the Gary Kubiak zone-blocking offense.

While both of Denver's returning backs have had their moments in the spotlight, neither has separated himself as someone who could be a featured player. If drafted, Williams could come in and earn a good number of touches early in his career.

Round 5, Pick 157: Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA

Tight end is no longer an urgent need after the Broncos signed veteran Garrett Graham. This provides some security at the position with relative unknowns on the roster in Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman.

Then again, whoever is at quarterback could use all the firepower down the field he can get.

This is where Thomas Duarte could be useful as either a receiver or tight end who could be a big-time playmaker in the passing game. No matter where he lines up, he will be a major mismatch for whichever defender is forced to cover him.

Duarte helped his draft stock at the combine by showing off his athleticism, ranking among the top five tight ends in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and short shuttle run. Adding this to soft hands and the ability to win one-on-one battles for the ball and he could be a dangerous weapon all over the field.

Last season, Denver had a major drop-off in production after Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Along with some of the other young players on the roster, Duarte could help provide some balance to the passing attack.

Round 6

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Round 6, No. 219: D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson

D.J. Reader is a true nose tackle who knows his role.

At 6'3", 327 pounds, he can anchor a defensive line and clog the middle of the field, making everyone around him better. The defender was a big part of Clemson's success this past season, and his skill set should be able to translate to the next level.

Despite his productive senior year, Reader could still be on the board late in Day 3 for a team to draft him.

"Don't hear much buzz about Clemson DT DJ Reader," Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network tweeted last month. "I like him. Can play NT in 3-4. Strong at point of attack."

The longer he stays a secret, the better it will be for Denver. The squad could use as much depth as it can find along the defensive line and Reader could be an immediate help in the rotation. Although he is unlikely to ever be an every-down player, there is still plenty of value in taking him at this stage of the draft.

If he is off the board, the Broncos should find someone else to help out along the defensive line.

Round 7

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Round 7, No. 228: Austin Blythe, C, Iowa

Although Austin Blythe is on the smaller side for an NFL offensive lineman at 6'2", 291 pounds, the center knows how to play the position.

Blythe was a four-year starter at Iowa and excelled as both a run-blocker and a pass-protector in the middle of the offensive line, utilizing intelligence and technique over size and athleticism. Then again, he has some quickness that allows him to pull to either side as well as succeed in zone-blocking schemes.

While Matt Paradis will remain the starting center going into next season, the Broncos could use some depth at the position as well as someone to potentially push the former sixth-round pick in competition for the starting job. Blythe doesn't have tons of upside, but he will be ready to battle in training camp and won't go down without a fight.

Adding in experience at guard and the former Hawkeye would be a useful addition to the roster.

Round 7, No. 253: Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State

The last pick of the draft is a good time to add a boom-or-bust talent with plenty of upside.

While Jalin Marshall wasn't able to live up to expectations as a highly touted high school athlete, he is still a dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands. Even when he struggled to get on the field offensively, the receiver made an impact on special teams with a career average of 12.7 yards per punt return.

At the very least, Marshall could provide Denver with a much-needed boost in the return game as a consistent threat to score at any time. If things go well and he develops as a receiver, he could make an even bigger impact in a Tavon Austin-type role.

There is little risk in taking anyone at this stage of the draft, which makes taking a flyer on Marshall a smart decision.

All measurables and combine stats via NFL.com. College stats courtesy of Sports Reference. 

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