Broncos post free agency mock draft roundup

The Denver Broncos have been busy in free agency addressing some major needs with the addition of defensive backs Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan, while also signing right tackle Ja’Wuan James. They also brought back both defensive lineman Zach Kerr and tight end Jeff Heuerman. Then there is also the addition of quarterback Joe Flacco to consider.

They could still sign a veteran here or there, but they are a bit constrained by salary cap space after these signings. With the loss of center Matt Paradis and others, there are still holes on the roster to be concerned about. The biggest of which are at inside linebacker, tight end, safety, nose tackle, and the center/guard positions. Despite all that, a “quarterback of the future” is probably still highest on the list.

I pulled all of the recent mock drafts out there I could find and noticed that there was a pretty even split between the inside linebacker position and quarterback.

Broncos Mock Draft Database

SB Nation - Devin White

10. Denver Broncos: Devin White, LB, LSU

Offseason needs: Linebacker, tight end, cornerback, guard

After signing defensive backs Bryce Callahan and Kareem Jackson and right tackle Ju’Wuan James, Denver’s needs are apparent. New head coach Vic Fangio could see a lot of Roquan Smith in White, and build the back seven of his defense around the LSU tackling machine. More importantly, Colorado would be a great home for White’s horses. That’s what really matters here.

Sports Illustrated - Drew Lock & Garrett Bradbury

10. Denver: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri An offseason dip into free agency at the offensive tackle spot makes a luxury pick possible. Joe Flacco is basically on a series of rolling one-year deals from here on out, and can transition whenever the time is right. This is a chance for John Elway to fix his biggest issue in the long term, while maintaining some stability in the short term.

27. *PROJECTED TRADE* Denver (from Oakland via Dallas): Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State If he falls this far, the Broncos package one of their mid-round picks and an early second to move up for a player that SIS charted as botching just four pass-blocking situations in 2018. Matt Paradis isn’t coming back, and it won’t hurt to break in his replacement.

NFL.com - Devin White

10. Devin White, LB, LSU

Expect GM John Elway to take a LONG look at Missouri QB Drew Lock despite the acquisition of Joe Flacco, but ultimately Denver opts for this multi-talented LB who leads vocally and by example. Not to mention, he’s a hard hitter.

NFL.com - T.J. Hockenson

10. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

It is hard to find a traditional Y tight end with the size and strength to dominate defenders on the edges while also possessing enough receiving skills to threaten the middle of the field. Hockenson checks off all of the boxes as a throwback at the position.

CBS Sports - Devin White & Garrett Bradbury

10. Devin White, LB, LSU

Quarterback is the obvious need but John Elway sounds like he’s all in on Joe Flacco. We’ll see. In the meantime, the Broncos replace Brandon Marshall with White, one of the most dynamic players in the draft. He’s a sideline-to-sideline thumper who would immediately solidify the middle of the defense, making life easier for both the front four and the secondary.

41. Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State

Bradbury ran a 4.93 40 at the combine -- he’s a center! -- and he was already the best interior lineman in the class. If you’re banking your 2019 season on Joe Flacco you might want to protect him.

CBS Sports - Dwayne Haskins

10. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Haskins is very talented but is probably in need of a redshirt year, and he’d get that behind Joe Flacco in Denver.

Walter Football - Drew Lock

10. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB , Missouri

Even though the Broncos traded for Joe Flacco, it sounds like John Elway is still very high on Drew Lock. Denver could draft Lock and develop him while trying to win immediately with Flacco.

Lock completed 63 percent of his passes in 2018 for 3,498 yards with 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He set an SEC record with 44 touchdown passes as a junior while completing 58 percent of his passes for 3,964 yards and 13 touchdowns.

There is no doubt that Lock (6-3, 228) has a powerful arm and can pick apart a defense. He wisely returned to school for the 2018 season because he needed to improve his accuracy and footwork before going pro. He showed some strides there but still has room for growth. Sources have told me that Lock has a quiet personality similar to Eli Manning and is not a vocal team leader. That could hurt him with some pro evaluators who want their quarterback to provide a commanding leadership presence. Some scouts have said that Lock has the physical skill set of Jay Cutler.

Draftwire - Devin Bush

10. Denver Broncos | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan

This may seem like a reach, but Bush backed up his impressive film with a fantastic performance at the combine. Given his complete skill set, with rare athleticism for his size, don’t be surprise if Bush cracks the top 10 for a team that needs that kind of playmaker at the heart of their defense.

NBC Sports - Drew Lock

10. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock

Denver didn’t wait for the draft to add signal caller help with the trade for Joe Flacco. That shouldn’t rule out tabbing a QB here.

There’s some sense John Elway has a Jones for Lock so let’s lean that way even with Dwayne Haskins available.

Though he took a statistical dip compared to his 2017 numbers, Lock finished with 72 touchdown passes to 21 interceptions over his final two seasons.