Broncos could end up anywhere from 7th to 16th pick in first round of 2019 NFL Draft

Merry Christmas Broncos Country!

We can all put the disgusting 27-14 road loss to the hapless Oakland Raiders behind us with the good news that the Denver Broncos have a shot to pick as high as 7th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. A win next week could drop them all the way to 16th, but who actually believes they’ll win next week?

Currently, they have the 12th overall pick. That will all change next week when games are played. The key for a higher pick would obviously start with a Broncos loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, then we’ll need to keep an eye on the following games:

Miami Dolphins (7-8) at Buffalo Bills (5-10)

A pick in the top 10 starts with the Buffalo Bills. If they win, they will see their record rise to 6-10 and the strength of schedule would put them behind the Broncos pick with the same record.

Dallas Cowboys (9-6) at New York Giants (5-10)

Same as above. A Giants victory would push them past the Broncos strength of schedule if the two teams end up with 6-10.

Atlanta Falcons (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-10)

This one is the hard game to figure out, in terms of how wild the draft order would be reset in the event the Buccaneers win the game. An event that is pretty damn likely given its a home game for them.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) at Houston Texans (10-5)

The Jaguars have the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL, so any tiebreaker with another team is one they’d end up losing. However, the first two games on this list seem winnable for the 10-loss teams. This one does not have that feel to it.

Carolina Panthers (6-9) at New Orleans Saints (13-2)

The Broncos need the Panthers to win this game and fortunately the Saints have clinched homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. If the Panthers were ever going to beat the Saints, it would be this game. Don’t count on it though.

Prediction

I think the Broncos lose to the Chargers next week. While I’m excited to see how this team evolves under a new coaching staff next year, this season has been a trying one. And of the four very important games above, I think the first three games go the Broncos way - meaning the 5-10 teams win.

That means the Broncos would end up picking 9th or 10th overall. Their strength of schedule right now is tied with the Buccaneers, so either that changes next week to determine which pick goes to Denver or the coin flip would decide.

The Broncos have had two Top 10 picks under John Elway and both have been elite players. Von Miller is already a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he retires, while Bradley Chubb is showing he is going to be a star in this league after his rookie season.