The NFL draft is less than one month away and as teams shift their focus away from the frenzy that is free agency, they will start to fine-tune their NFL draft boards.
Here, we’ve put together a top 15 draft board for the Broncos in terms of the team’s first-round pick. These are the top 15 players the team should be interested in, whether it be a position of need or best player available.
There are a few players that have been removed from our list, mostly because they will likely be off the board at No. 10 or because it wouldn’t make sense for the Broncos to ignore a certain player instead of one of these players:
- Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
- Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
- Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
- Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
- Rashan Gary, Edge, Michigan
- Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
- Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State
1. Devin White, LB, LSU
The No.1 name on the list is the player who won our draft prospects bracket, as voted on by readers.
Devin White would give the Broncos a trio of linebackers along with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb that would rival any team in the league.
A combination of speed, power and aggression, White would give the team something it hasn’t had at middle linebacker in quite some time. If he is there at No. 10, he has to be the pick.
2. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The Broncos now have Joe Flacco, who John Elway feels is in the prime of his career. That said, Dwayne Haskins is a quarterback the team couldn’t pass on and you could make the case that he should be taken even ahead of White if both are there.
He might be the best quarterback prospect in this class because of the kinds of throws he can make.
3. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Late last season, there were some extremely early mock drafts that had Ed Oliver as the No.1 overall pick in the draft. The Broncos are thin along the defensive line and he would present an immediate problem for opposing offenses.
There’s a good chance he’ll be off the board by No.10.
4. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
It seems that taking a tight end with the tenth overall pick might be a bit too high, but T.J. Hockenson has the chance to be special. If the Broncos could trade down and still get him, that would be even better.
I would map out the issues that the Broncos have had at the tight end position, but they’re pretty well known by this point.
5. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
Devin Bush could easily be higher on this list and there wouldn’t be much argument as many analysts rank him right below White in terms of what he can do on the field.
If White has already been selected, Bush would be a great consolation prize.
6. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The name Christian Wilkins has not been tied to the Broncos much in the talks leading up to the draft, but it should be.
Wilkins is more athletic than your average defensive tackle and he comes from a winning program, one in which he learned how to be a leader on the field.
7. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Are the Broncos going to consider a QB in the first round or even at all? There are mixed feelings among the fanbase as to that question, but one of the most popular players in mock drafts for the team is Drew Lock.
Lock passed for over 12,000 yards and 99 touchdowns during his college career at Missouri.
8. Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama
The signing of Ja’Wuan James certainly lessened the Broncos’ need for an offensive tackle. But that doesn’t mean you ignore the position, particularly when a player such as Jonah Williams could be available.
Williams started at both right tackle and left tackle for the Crimson Tide during his time at Alabama. His technique and consistent play could put him as the No. 1 offensive lineman off the board in this draft.
9. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
The Broncos could definitely use a cornerback and drafting one if the first round is a distinct possibility.
Greedy Williams lands as the No. 1 corner on Denver’s board due to his well-rounded play, balls skills and the tape he put out in man coverage. But the fact that he excelled in coverage in the SEC Conference is just as big a reason for his ranking.
10. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
Many will glance at his size (5-11, 190 pounds) and see him as a day two pick, but Byron Murphy has incredible instincts and the kind of “football IQ” you often hear talked about.
If the Broncos want to rebuild the ‘No Fly Zone’ with a young guy at the nickel spot, Murphy would be a solid target.
11. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The star of this year’s scouting combine, it’s easy to say that the Broncos don’t “need” to draft a wide receiver in the first round, but if D.K. Metcalf is anywhere near as good as his measurables suggest he could be, look out.
12. Andre Dillard, OL, Washington State
Teams looking for an offensive lineman may covet Andre Dillard over any other lineman in the draft. He has quick feet and his pass-blocking ability will make him a starter from Day 1.
13. DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
Similar to Murphy, there will be concern that DeAndre Baker is going to give up too much size and strength to some of the receivers at the professional level. But he has the kind of skills at making plays on the ball and doing just enough to throw off a receiver’s route to make up for it.
He didn’t give up a single touchdown pass last season.
14. Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma
Ford is as strong at the point of attack as any offensive lineman in this draft, but he may be best suited to begin his career at guard and potentially be moved to tackle down the road.
Turns out the Broncos could use a guard as well.
15. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
For one school to have two tight ends with first-round value in the same draft is almost unheard of, but that is the case for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Noah Fant doesn’t have as much raw ability as Hockenson, but should still excel at the next level.
During his last two years at the school, Fant caught 18 touchdown passes in 24 games.
