How can the Broncos spend all those draft picks?

By now I’d bet money you’ve heard Emmanuel Sanders is no longer a member of the Denver Broncos. The trade with San Francisco leaves a noticeable experience void in the receiving corps, but that’s a topic for another day.

Today, let’s focus on what the Broncos gained.

All those picks means Mock Drafts between now and April 23rd, 2020 are going to be equal parts wild and fun. Let’s give it a shot. Looking at The Draft Network’s Mock Machine as a baseline, I went through and created a mock. They currently do not accurately account for the 49ers trade and there aren’t any compensatory picks, so I took a few liberties.

The point of this mock is to simply give you an idea as to how Elway could use all of the Broncos’ draft ammo to address what I think the 2020 needs are. In this scenario, Drew Lock has shown the coaching staff and front office enough to stave off Justin Herbert, even though the Oregon Duck was available at 8.

Let’s get to it:

1st Round - Derrick Brown, Defensive Lineman

2nd Round- Prince Tega Wanogho, Offensive Tackle

3A - Hamsah Nasirldeen, Defensive Back

3B - K.J. Hamler, Wide Receiver

3C - Lloyd Cushenberry III, Offensive Line

4th Round - Nick Coe, Defensive Line

5th Round - Albert Okwuegbunam, Tight End

6th Round - K.J. Costello, Quarterback

7A - Tremayne Anchrum, Offensive Line

7B - Tanner Muse, Safety

7C - Tino Ellis, Cornerback

Thoughts:

With Andrew Thomas and Tristian Wirfs off the board before I picked at 8, I went to Auburn to solidify both sides of the line of scrimmage.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris are brought back at this point, though I still believe it will be one or the other. Regardless, the Fangio defense could use an Akiem Hicks type and the Brown looks like the best interior destroyer in this upcoming class. Prince Tega Wanogho is a smooth athletic project who could really flourish with team under Mike Munchak. He’s got all of the tools.

In the third round, I grabbed a prospect that really intrigues me in Nasirldeen. He’s probably a safety, but he’s the kind of hybrid defender I believe defensive coordinators need to stop modern NFL offenses.

With my next pick, I debated Michigan’s Donovan Peoples-Jones, but went with the receiver who gave the Wolverines another L this past weekend. Hamler is undersized, but offers the kind of explosive athleticism that Scangarello could use to open things up for every other member of the offense.

If you’ve followed my mocks over the last couple months, you’re certainly familiar with Cushenberry. I love how the LSU Tiger could fit into the Broncos’ blocking scheme, and he could probably wind up pushing Connor McGovern out to his more natural guard spot.

I didn’t plan on going back to Auburn again, but Nick Coe is the kind of inside/outside defensive linemen that could eventually replace Wolfe in base personnel and still have a role in the nickel.

Since this draft is going with the idea that Drew Lock is the guy for at least 2020, it made sense to grab one of his go-to collegiate targets when Big Al was still on the board in the fifth. Standing at 6’5 and over 250 lbs, he offers the kind of inline game that Scangarello could really utilize with 12 and 13 personnel down the road.

The last three picks were developmental guys at positions that could use competition and/or talent. K.J. Costello has had an injury-marred final season with Stanford, but was considered a Day 2 prospect at one point. Best case scenario, he competes with Brett Rypien and Brandon Allen for reps behind Lock. Worst case scenario, the Broncos have their four camp arms.

If there was one position I came out of this mock really missing, it’s cornerback. This may be my orange-tinted glasses, but I remain blindly optimistic Chris Harris Jr. stays in orange and blue. If I was the General Manager, it would be a priority this spring.

What do you think Broncos Country?

Your Broncos Links

Drew Lock could give the Denver Broncos a real idea of what they have - Mile High Report

Fangio was pretty critical of Lock’s readiness this offseason, and the challenge of preparing him to be a consistent, reliable passer may be a blessing in disguise for Denver. Not only would it give them the opportunity to evaluate Lock, but it could also tell them a lot about what Scangarello brings to the table. Did his time under Kyle Shanahan help him to develop a little bit of creativity that a young quarterback with Lock’s upside could take advantage of?

Harris Jr. says best way to stop trade rumors is to win - ‘We can’t quit’ - Mile High Report

But it won’t be easy going on the road to Indy on Sunday.

Denver Broncos’ Wide Receiver Courtland Sutton joins the ranks of WR1s - Mile High Report

The 2nd year, former 2nd round pick has new expectations on him in the wake of the Emmanuel Sanders trade.

Denver Broncos snap counts for Week 7 - Mile High Report

Who played and who really didn’t for the Denver Broncos in that Thursday night meltdown?

Should the Denver Broncos trade Von Miller? - Mile High Report

The cost outweighs the benefits.

Broncos sign WR Kelvin McKnight to practice squad - Mile High Report

McKnight, 22, is 5’8” and 186 pounds out of Samford University. He was with Denver all through training camp and the preseason, so is familiar with the system.

NFL trade deadline: One buy/sell proposal for each AFC team - NFL.com

DENVER BRONCOS: Sell cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Moving Emmanuel Sanders was a not-so-obvious hint that Denver isn’t done answering the phone. Harris and the team failed to strike a long-term deal before the season, an indicator that football czar John Elway is ready to move on from the 30-year-old cover man. Harris remains a top-tier performer and would bring immediate gravitas to his next employer. My guess? Don’t be surprised if the Eagles come calling. Potential compensation: 2020 second-round pick.

John Elway: Emmanuel Sanders had issues, and we had issues – ProFootballTalk

There have been rumors of issues for awhile.

NFL Links

Freddie Kitchens won’t criticize officials because “I like money” – ProFootballTalk

“As long as those guys are not hurting the team, it does not matter,” Kitchens said regarding concerns that comments from players about officials or the league could put a target on the Browns. “My concern is the team, and I do not want them hurting their team with comments. . . . As far as comments about officials and stuff like that, I am going to stay away from that because I can’t control the officials. I am not in their meetings. I am not in their pregame deals and all that kind of stuff. I just want to control our team from the standpoint of putting them in the best positon to win.”

Tom Brady: I don’t know what the future holds – ProFootballTalk

During the pregame show before Monday night’s game between the Patriots and Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN noted that Tom Brady’s contract is up after the 2019 season and that he’s put his house in Massachusetts up for sale.

The Starting 11: The Colts and Ravens Are Officially AFC Contenders - The Ringer

Indy took the AFC South lead on Sunday with its second-straight impressive win, and Lamar Jackson defied all football convention in Baltimore’s victory over Seattle. Plus: Kirk Cousins is trending up, and the Jalen Ramsey–Rams experiment needs more time.

Cordarrelle Patterson Is the Kick Return King and the Last of His Kind - The Ringer

Patterson is an all-time great kick-return specialist playing in an era when football is trying to eliminate kickoffs from the game. What makes him so special? And what will be his legacy?

Kirk Cousins Was a Joke—Now He’s an MVP Candidate - The Ringer

The Vikings quarterback was nearly invisible in the team’s first four games, but he’s bounced back in the past three. If Minnesota can continue to embrace an aggressive, play-action-heavy approach, Cousins can be one of the most dangerous passers in the league.