I don't think this pick makes much sense.

An average safety will have a hard time making this team.  Lynch is a lock, Brandon and Ferguson should bounce back from what has become routine surgeries (though I could see a situation where Ferguson is let go), Abdullah is a favorite of the staff, and Curome Cox is needed for his cover skills.

For a safety to make the team, he has to exhibit a skill that is unique to the safeties on the roster.  It would be nice if that unique skill is deep coverage.

Sadly, Wendling lacks the most in this department.  He was moved off of free safety last year because he was deemed a better run defender than in coverage, for Wyoming's standards.  He makes tackles, but as has been noted, he isn't a hitter, but a drag down type.  Most scouts also don't believe he plays to his timed speed.

I'll give him pluses for instincts and mentality, but he doesn't bring anything unique to the table, and won't solve the biggest deficiency, which is coverage in the deep half.  He probably could handle special teams, earning him a job, but he'll only be an average pro, and the type of player teams are always looking to upgrade.  I don't see where Wendling upgrades the defense now, or later for that matter.

If the biggest issue is depth behind those returning from injuries, similar safeties abound in rounds six through seven, namely Harrison of Stanford, who is a good athlete in his own right and a much better hitter.

Michael Johnson of Arizona is a known centerfield type that might have been able to push Ferguson and Brandon early, and could be a third down safety.  Coe of Arkansas State is more of a fourth rounder, but could be of similar value.

As I've stated before, safety depth isn't necessarily the issue here, and just an average safety may struggle to make this roster.  Wendling may have the instincts to get past this, but he doesn't figure to help now, or a great deal much later...

Since you were bracing for it, I had to do it...

Gutsy call Guru.  If I have learned one thing as a Broncos fan on draft day over the years, Shanahan and Sundquist think outside the box.  If we have only a handful of players we want to see them pick, we'll be disappointed early and often.  They not only go against the grain, they scour the smaller schools looking for hidden gems.  We spend so much time focusing on the prime schools.  Last year they spent four picks, including the second rounder, on W. Michigan, Central Florida, Akron and North Dakota.  Not exactly Sportscenter highlight reels coming out of these schools.  So Wyoming is not a shocker.

While Safety was not a surprise, taking Wendling here is a little.  But that is how it goes when you think outside the box.  Good job Guru....

This SB Nation mock draft turned out great.  Hopefully we'll get to do it again next year....

...addressing our needs.  DT, DE, S all on Day 1.  This mock draft was a lot of fun on our part, and I'm sure it was even more fun on the "owners"' parts.

I doubt Shanny would address all defense on day 1.  In 2001 he went all-defense on Day 1, and it's considered by many (including yourself it seems) to be his worst draft.  Especially when you consider the receivers this year.  This WR class is deep, and I don't think he can help but stick his hand in that candy jar on Day 1.

Overall, great picks.