In last week's mock database, I compiled only the mocks from the most accurate mockers from the last five years and the very best from last year. The data compiled was limited, but it also felt accurate. However, there are a ton of mock drafts out there, so I figured why not start including those posted recently?
Like last week, I'll start with the Top 15 mock drafters over the last five years and then have the Top 10 from last years best mock drafters. Not all of them have submitted a mock for 2014, so the list is going to be incomplete. TheHuddleReport.com does an excellent job tracking the success of those consistently offering mock drafts.
Below that, we'll have a list of recent mocks from a random grouping of websites that were listed on Walterfootball.com's mock draft database. Let's find out what people think the Denver Broncos are going to do on Draft Day.
Mock Draft Positions Review
1. Linebacker
Once again, the linebacker position dominates the first round mocks to the Denver Broncos. Two guys more than any of the others show up over and over again, Ryan Shazier and Chris Borland. C.J. Mosely popped up a few times, but not in any of the mock draft guru mocks, so I am not going to put much stock in him falling to #31.
I am good with the Ryan Shazier pick, but cannot stand the Chris Borland in the first round deal. He seems to have some talent, but his limitations make him a better mid round pick in my mind. There was one other linebackers name to pop up in here and that was Telvin Smith out of Florida State, which I could get on board with on Day 2 or even Day 3, but at #31? That is just stupid.
2. Cornerback
Upon review, I was sad to see my favorite cornerback of the draft, Bradley Roby, vanish from this list. Instead, Jason Verrett now dominates the board at this position, getting all but two of the cornerback positions mocked to the Denver Broncos.
The other two guys were Kyle Fuller and Marcus Roberson. If the draft board goes completely to hell, then I could see a scenario where John Elway trades back into the early second round to target a guy like Kyle Fuller. A better situation if Bradley Roby isn't available is to pick the best player available in the first round and try to pick up Roberson later in the second round.
3. Defensive End
Defensive End is a position that keeps cropping up as a first round "need" for the Broncos, but I just don't see it as that big of a hole. The only situation where I see Elway jumping up to take Kony Ealy or Scott Crichton would be if all of the top prospects on his Big Board were gone by the end of the first day, which is entirely possible.
My only issue here is that it feels like we are crowding a position with talent, while leaving some glaring holes elsewhere. I am all for depth, but I am also against big gaping holes in the defense. That said, if the one area that is overflowing with talent is the defensive line, I will not complain too loudly.
4. Defensive Tackle
Only two defensive tackles were mocked to the Broncos in this round, but I'd love to have either one of them on the roster this year if the plan is to allow Terrance Knighton walk in free agency after the 2014 season. Both Aaron Donald and Stephon Tuitt look like they have NFL ability and potential star ability. The caveat here is that defensive tackles typically need time to develop and last I checked Elway was in a win a Super Bowl now position with Peyton Manning nearing retirement.
5. Offensive Guard
It appears this Al Fronczak guy hasn't updated his mock since Orlando Franklin was moved inside, so I highly doubt Xavier Sua-Filo will be wearing the orange and blue in 2014. With Ryan Clady coming back, the line looks rather impressive with Ryan Clark moving to the right side. The linchpin of this reorganization will come down to how well Franklin adjusts to the new position. Some guys just do better in space than they do in the muck of the interior line.