The 2023 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday evening and while the Denver Broncos are not currently set to pick until the third round on Friday night, it’s only fair to release mock drafts before the picks begin.
So today, one day before the Broncos are set to make their first pick on Day 2, we are revealing our final seven-round mock draft for Denver.
It’s possible that the Broncos could trade back up into the second round if a prospect they like begins to fall, but trading back to acquire more picks might be a more likely scenario for Denver.
Related: April 13 mock draft and April 20 mock draft.
This final mock draft does not officially include any trades because they are impossible to predict, so we’re only making picks with the five selections the Broncos currently hold, starting with No. 67 overall in the third round.
Let’s get to it!
Round 3, No. 67 overall: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Brents (6-3, 198 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL combine after totaling four interceptions last fall. Some mock drafts have him going off the board in the second round, so Denver might need to trade up if he’s a target. If he falls to the third round, Brents would be an excellent cornerback to pair with Pat Surtain in the Broncos’ secondary.
Round 3, No. 68 overall: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State
Wypler (6-3, 303 pounds) is an athletic lineman who ran a 40-yard dash in 5.14 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 29 times at the combine. He’s three inches shorter than fellow center prospect Joe Tippmann (6-6), and that may or may not factor into Denver’s analysis given that Russell Wilson is a short quarterback (5-11).
Round 4, No. 108 overall: DL Siaki Ika, Baylor
After losing DeShawn Williams during free agency, the Broncos could use another starting-caliber defensive lineman like Ika (6-3, 335 pounds). He has the positional flexibility to play either as a defensive end or nose tackle in Denver’s 3-4 defense, helping beef up the team’s d-line rotation.
Round 5, No. 139 overall: RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Gray (5-9, 207 pounds) totaled 1,595 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns in 2022. He could be an excellent third-string running back for the Broncos behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.
Round 6, No. 195 overall: OT Warren McClendon, Georgia
McClendon (6-4, 306 pounds) could serve as a backup swing tackle behind Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey in Denver.
Round 7: No picks
With no picks in the seventh round, here are the final results of this seven-round mock draft for the Broncos:
Round 3, No. 67 overall: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Round 3, No. 68 overall: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State
Round 4, No. 108 overall: DL Siaki Ika, Baylor
Round 5, No. 139 overall: RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Round 6, No. 195 overall: OT Warren McClendon, Georgia
The 2023 NFL draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29.
