There are always surprises in the NFL draft and that is part of what makes watching it as a fan so much fun. Seeing how teams attempt to navigate the draft process is one of the most interesting times of the NFL offseason.
And often, it’s the team that makes a move that no one saw coming that turns out being the best move of all.
Kind of like this one:
The Kansas City Chiefs moved all the way up from No. 27 to select Patrick Mahomes at No. 10. That was an example of a team willing to make a big move to get the guy it wanted.
The Broncos have the No. 15 pick in the first round of the upcoming draft and while we have already discussed some realistic options for that pick. now it’s time to a look at a few surprise moves the team could make.
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
I’ve written before about how much I’d like to see the Broncos draft Shenault, but it would be a surprise at this point because Shenault is banged up before the season even starts.
Shenault will undergo core surgery following his workout at the combine. The injury was pre-existing, but he ran just a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the combine and in this draft, there are too many wide receivers ranked ahead of him.
Having surgery with a recovery timetable of six to eight weeks combined with a 40 time that isn’t the best might drop Shenault to the second round on many team’s boards.
But taking him at No. 15 would not be a “bad” pick. Shenault’s ability to run after the catch might be the best in the entire class. He has the power of a running back and with the ball in his hands, can make things happen.
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
It would be surprising for the Broncos to select Becton because it would be surprising if he was still available.
If you haven’t seen this guy run the 40-yard dash at the combine, do yourself a favor and check it out. He is 6-foot-7 and 364 pounds and he posts a 5.11-second 40.
Incredible. The man is an absolute monster and will be a bully in the run game. In pass protection, he is able to overwhelm speed rushers with his size and power.
He plays left tackle and is going to play it at a high level for a long time. It will be highly surprising if he gets past the Cleveland Browns at pick 10.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
This is the kind of pick that would likely take a trade to obtain, similar to the one that we talked about with the Chiefs and Mahomes.
The Broncos wouldn’t have to move up as far as the Chiefs did, but they aren’t going to be able to get Lamb, arguably the best wide receiver in this draft, at No. 15.
But he is the kind of talent a good team would trade up for.
Lamb is not the fastest wide receiver in this draft, but he might be the most complete. He runs excellent routes, displays great body control and has a terrific pair of hands. You will even see him doing his part as a blocker and doing that at a high level.
There is a reason he has drawn comparisons to DeAndre Hopkins and that is the kind of player any team would love to have.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
This would be a surprise pick because the Broncos likely aren’t looking for a running back early in this draft, but that doesn’t mean you dismiss a guy like Swift.
He’s only 5-foot-9, but that means little when it comes to Swift. This guy has a sudden burst and he combines that with a lot of power. On top of that, he is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield and his overall game will remind a lot of fans of what Christian McCaffrey does for the Carolina Panthers.
For teams looking for a major offensive weapon, whether they need a running back or not, Swift has a tremendous ceiling.
