In our first seven-round NFL mock draft for the Denver Broncos last week, we had the team trading up in the first round to select a quarterback.
In the second edition of Broncos Wire’s seven-round mock draft for Denver, the team lands a quarterback via trade again, but this time by moving down.
In this mock, the Broncos trade down from No. 12 overall by acquiring picks Nos. 27 (first round) and 35 (second round) from the Arizona Cardinals. Following the trade for coach Sean Payton last year, Denver does not currently hold a second-round pick. By trading down from No. 12, the Broncos are able to add a pick in the second round.
Following that trade, Denver has nine picks in this mock, giving general manager George Paton and Co. plenty of draft capital to address roster needs. We have the team first addressing the cornerback position before adding an intriguing quarterback prospect in the second round.
Let’s jump into the seven-round mock draft for the Broncos!
Round 1, Pick 27: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama)
The price to trade up for one of the top four quarterbacks proves to be too costly for Denver, and it doesn’t make sense to select Bo Nix or Michael Penix at No. 12 when they expected to still be on the board much later in the first round. So the Broncos add cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to pair with fellow Alabama product Pat Surtain.
Round 2, pick 35: QB Michael Penix (Washington)
After moving down and picking up a second-round pick, the Broncos are back on the clock and Michael Penix is still on the board. He comes with injury risk, but Penix is an intriguing prospect who could help Denver finally solve its quarterback dilemma.
Round 3, pick 76: OT Blake Fisher (Notre Dame)
Garett Bolles is set to turn 32 years old in May and while he could still have plenty of gas left in the tank, the veteran tackle is set to become a free agent next spring. So the Broncos begin planning for the future by selecting Blake Fisher when he falls to them in the third round.
Round 4, pick 121: DL Leonard Taylor III (Miami)
The Broncos signed Malcolm Roach during free agency, but they still need a lot more depth on the defensive line. Leonard Taylor (6-3, 303 pounds) could help the team beef up the d-line after totaling 22.5 tackles behind the line and six sacks in three years (28 games) with the Longhorns.
Round 5, pick 136: OLB Grayson Murphy (UCLA)
After addressing the interior defensive line, the Broncos improve their pass rush depth by selecting Grayson Murphy, who totaled 10 sacks in two seasons at UCLA.
Round 5, pick 145: DL Logan Lee (Iowa)
Logan Lee (6-5, 281 pounds) is probably too small to play nose tackle, but he could hypothetically play as a defensive end in Denver’s base 3-4 defense. He had nine sacks as an interior defensive lineman in his final three years at Iowa.
Round 5, pick 147: WR Luke McCaffrey (Rice)
This pick has to happen (for obvious reasons).
Round 6, pick 203: RB Frank Gore Jr. (Southern Miss)
The Broncos could use another running back and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them add one later in the draft. Frank Gore’s son rushed for 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Golden Eagles last fall.
Round 6, pick 207: LB Jaylan Ford (Texas)
After losing Josey Jewell in free agency, the Broncos could use more depth at inside linebacker. It wouldn’t be surprising if Denver selects an ILB much earlier in the draft, but none of the top prospects fell to them at a good spot in this mock. Instead, Jaylan Ford slides down to the sixth round and the Broncos land him there. Ford recorded 220 tackles (including 20.5 tackles behind the line), six interceptions, four forced fumbles and three sacks in his final two years with the Longhorns.
