In last week’s initial entry for my weekly Future Broncos segment, I focused on two prospects who I believe (if drafted by the Broncos) would make a significant difference for Denver’s defense and mentioned a handful of other players to watch this college football season at the inside linebacker and defensive tackle positions. Then it occurred to me we haven’t given a proper update on the franchise’s draft pick arsenal for the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos currently have nine selections for the 2018 NFL Draft. All original picks, + extra 4th from SF and extra 5th from ATL.
— Christopher Hart (@topherhart) September 14, 2017
Overall, the Broncos are entering next year’s draft with a total of nine selections. They hold every original selection in the first through seventh rounds, but also added an extra fourth round selection from the San Francisco 49ers by trading them a 2017 fifth round selection and running back Kapri Bibbs on the third day of the draft last year. Additionally, the team was able to trade former second round selection (and bust) offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo to the Atlanta Falcons for an extra fifth round selection.
Denver Broncos’ 2018 NFL Draft Selection Arsenal
- First round selection (original)
- Second round selection (original)
- Third round selection (original)
- Fourth round selection (original)
- Fourth round selection (via 49ers)
- Fifth round selection (original)
- Fifth round selection (via Falcons)
- Sixth round selection (original)
- Seventh round selection (original)
Additionally, the Broncos are projected to receive an extra third round pick for Russell Okung, who signed with LAC for an AAV of $13.25M.
— Christopher Hart (@topherhart) September 14, 2017
That number could go up, and likely will, when the NFL announces what teams will be the beneficiaries of compensatory selections in the offseason. OverTheCap wasn’t completely correct in their projection for the Broncos last year, but estimate that Denver will receive an extra third round selection for Russell Okung, who received a mega-deal from the Los Angeles Chargers that will pay him an annual average value of $13.25 million per season. If so, that will bring their total bounty of picks to ten selections overall and give them enormous opportunities to make some waves in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Since my article criticizing Elway’s offensive line acquisitions garnered a lot of discussion within the community, I will continue this segment next week by providing my thoughts on some of this coming draft’s best offensive line prospects. Look for the analysis to focus primarily on a handful of top tackle prospects, but also include several musings on the best available interior prospects.
Poll
What’s your philosophy regarding picks in the NFL Draft?
This poll is closed
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20%
Quantity over quality. The more picks the better.
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59%
Quality over quantity. Move up to get the best players available.
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12%
Stand pat with the picks you have.
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8%
The draft is a crapshoot. I’d rather trade the picks for established players in the league.