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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.
Broncos 2020 draft capital is now:
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) October 22, 2019
•1st
•2nd
•3rd
•3rd (PIT)
•3rd (SF-Sanders)
•4th
•4th (SF-Sanders)
•5th/6th (comp-Turner/Barrett, round depends on how much Bryce Callahan plays)
•6th (WAS-Keenum)
•7th (NE-Dawson)
•7th (comp-Garcia)
•7th (comp-Brock)
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?
Poll
What grade would you give this draft?
This poll is closed
-
10%
A - So many picks, so much talent. Great job!
-
41%
B - It’s alright, I guess.
-
19%
C - Dead inside.
-
11%
D - Not a fan, you kind of blew it.
-
16%
F - You’re worse than Elway.
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?
One of the culprits is Flacco and his bad habit of dropping too far in the pocket, which makes the job of the tackles nearly impossible and gives the impression that the OL is "bad" when it is more complicated than that.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 22, 2019
An example from the article: pic.twitter.com/BjYUt3DoxD
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.
The #Broncos claimed DL Jonathan Harris off waivers from the #Bears, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 23, 2019
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.
I would also add that the 3 main criticisms fans/media have had of Elway, he's improved on two of them.
— Jeffrey Essary (@JeffreyEssary) October 23, 2019
1. Drafting ✔ (better)
2. Building competent coaching staff ✔ (Fangio and co look like an answer)
3. Inability to find a QB. (Hardest thing to do in all of sports, imo) https://t.co/auKdxRfhDq
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.
Speaking of Von Miller: by SIS charting he has 26 pressures, good for 4th in the entire #NFL.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 23, 2019
Maybe #Broncos Country shouldn't be so keen on dumping him. pic.twitter.com/guNeNLCtgQ
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.
Kelvin McKnight is back with the #Broncos. pic.twitter.com/E4gSpv4MGK
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 23, 2019
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 was on KOA earlier with Dave Logan and addressed the plan for Chris Harris Jr. before the trade deadline: pic.twitter.com/HDUEE1Raun
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 23, 2019
John Elway: Emmanuel Sanders had issues, and we had issues – ProFootballTalk
There have been rumors of issues for awhile.
PFF has Bolles with the same pass-blocking grade as Ramczyk, and higher than Lane & Bulaga. Astonishing.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 20, 2019
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.