NFL Mock Draft 2015: 'Tis the season to be mocking, fa la la - Horse Tracks

Since SB Nation seems to be stuck on Maxx Williams to the Denver Broncos in both of their recent mock drafts here and here, I decided it would be more interesting to run a few simulations through Fanspeak's Mock Draft Simulator, since I have little patience doing the work a real NFL scout does.

The draft is seven grueling rounds culminating months of research, analysis, interviews and guesswork. Let's get it all done in the next 60 seconds, shall we?

First Round - Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

As a late first round pick, McKinney is a perfect pick for a team shifting to a 3-4 defense. John Elway loves defensive talent in the first round and unless some amazing fall of a better talent comes around, getting a stud ILB is just what Wade Phillips needs to take this new defense to the next level.

Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan. I see no true inside linebacker in that group, but good Lord what a collection of talent right there. That made this pick difficult, but it just felt right to get a true inside linebacker on the roster, especially since Nate Irving could be moving on in free agency.

Second Round - Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

The Denver Broncos have already met with Sambrailo and few teams need a right tackle more than they do, so I would expect them to pick up the homegrown talent out of Colorado State. If the Broncos pick up a veteran guard in free agency like Mike Iupati or even bring back Orlando Franklin than the offensive line would be in great shape heading into the 2015 regular season.

Third Round - Clive Walford, TE, Miami (Fl.)

After Walford's solid effort at the NFL Combine over the weekend, he may not be the third round projection he was last week. However, Elway has shown a tenacity to get the guys he wants in the draft and trading back up into the late second or early third for a guy with the potential that Walford has could be worth looking at.

After all, everyone knows Julius Thomas will be with the Oakland Raiders next year just like his daddy wants.

Fifth Round - Corey Robinson, OT, South Carolina

Robinson is a massive human being at 6'7", 325 pounds. He is surprisingly agile against speed rushers and could be a beast in Gary Kubiak's zone blocking scheme. At the very least, he is a fifth round draft pick who provides the kind of solid depth to an offensive line has been lacking for a few years now.

You can never have enough "big uglies" as they say.

Fifth Round - Cameron Artis-Oayne, RB, Auburn

A stone's throw from the Terrell Davis draft position, Elway picks up a patient runner who waits for blocks to develop before hitting the hole and may just be a perfect fit for the zone block scheme. Fighting the knock that "he's slow" rings eerily true of that aforementioned future Hall of Fame running back in Davis.

Since we're trying to resurrect the good ole days of the late 90s, why not bring in some running back competition to boot?

Sixth Round - Chucky Hunter, NT, TCU

The biggest question is whether Terrance Knighton is resigned. Pot Roast would make the transition to a 3-4 so much sweeter, but if he decides to move on to greener pastures then the Broncos will need to lock in some young nose tackle talent to groom for years to come. They'll need to rely on more veteran players for 2015, since the learning curve is usually steep at this position.

Hunter is a humble guy who works his tail off and in the sixth round a worth-while risk.

Horse Tracks

Combine prospects to keep an eye on for Denver Broncos -- Part IV - ESPN
As the on-field workouts continued Monday at the NFL's scouting combine, some players who will be of interest to the Denver Broncos were on display.

ESPN's McShay talks potential Broncos targets | DenverBroncos.com
Broncos TV talks with ESPN's Todd McShay about who the Broncos might target in the Draft.

Broncos' free agency plans coming into focus - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN
As the NFL’s scouting combine winds down Monday, Denver Broncos general manager John Elway has spent the past week previewing the draft's top prospects and navigating the hotbed of free agency that the event has become.

Knighton among free agents the Broncos likely will lose - Denver Post
Once the media got a taste of Pot Roast, they kept coming back for more. Every day in the Broncos' locker room became Terrance Knighton media day.

Why Manning Should Take A Pey-Cut - Mile High Huddle
Peyton Manning is the only quarterback in the history of professional football for whom a season with 4,727 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and a 66.2% completion rate can be considered a "bad year." MHH Analyst Khalid Alshami delivers a different take, examining whether the 5-time league MVP deserves a pay cut.

VIDEO: Peyton Manning and the Salary Cap - Mile High Huddle
Jake, Khalid, and I have been debating whether Peyton Manning should take a pay cut for the 2015 season. The debate continues in this video.

Denver Broncos Host First Regional Combine " CBS Denver
It’s not the big, splashy invitation-only NFL combine in Indy. There are no live broadcasts, no metrics-obsessed fans following every 40-yard dash time and vertical jump on TV and Twitter. None of the front office bigwigs are here.

Best of: Rahim Moore | DenverBroncos.com
A look back at Rahim Moore's 2014 season, as he finished the year with 49 tackles, two forced fumbles and four interceptions.

Buccaneers eye Jameis Winston as No.1 pick in 2015 NFL draft | The MMQB
Jameis Winston, No. 1 overall? Tampa Bay's investigation into what will become the most scrutinized pick in draft history has only begun. Plus Los Angeles and realignment talk, Sam Bradford-to-Browns rumors and Denver's potential problem.

Holy hell, Byron Jones is destroying the NFL Combine - SBNation.com
Byron Jones can jump farther and higher than almost anyone alive. Look at this NFL Combine-record broad jump.

Rich Eisen runs a 6.10 40-yard dash at the 2015 NFL Combine - SBNation.com
The NFL Combine isn't over until Rich Eisen runs the 40-yard dash, after all.

Defensive backs conclude testing on Monday - SBNation.com
The NFL Scouting Combine welcomed the skill position players on Saturday, as some of the biggest names in the draft -- including Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota -- went through drills and wrapped up their time in Indianapolis. They joined the offensive linemen, tight ends and specialists, who are also done with workouts.