Mel Kiper gives a perfect draft class to Broncos in latest 3-round mock

I am often used to major media writers like Mel Kiper and the rest to disappointing me with their mock drafts to the Denver Broncos. It is quite a rare feat for me to come away wishing the writer would dead on be right come draft day. Kiper had one of those this week with his three-round mock of the Broncos.

Denver Broncos

Round 1 (10): Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Round 2 (41): Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
Round 3 (71): Ryan Finley, QB, NC State

I thought about Drew Lock at No. 10. Is Joe Flacco really the long-term answer? But with Oliver still available, he’d be hard to pass up. Put him at end in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense. Put him at nose tackle. Maybe let him get some edge-rushing reps to spell Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Oliver has the athletic ability to be a star at multiple positions, although he needs to develop some true pass-rushing moves.

Denver can still take a quarterback on Day 2, and although I don’t have as high of a grade on Finley as McShay does, he’s worth a shot in the third round. Let him sit behind Flacco and see how fast he picks up the pro game. Risner could play tackle, center or guard for the Broncos.

Ed Oliver may not directly address a major need on defense, but his elite athleticism makes him an incredibly interesting pick. With Von Miller and Bradley Chubb already yon the edge, the Broncos defensive front would be literally insane. It would be hard to pass up on a situation like that.

Still, the Broncos have holes at various other positions and Kiper made sure to fill one of those up with his second round pick of Dalton Risner. The offensive line depth has been a concern year after year, so adding a capable starter early in the 2019 NFL Draft almost feels like a necessity. Risner would fill that role immediately.

Then, finally, we get to the quarterback position. Instead of draft Drew Lock with the tenth overall pick, Kiper opted to get the Broncos some value in the third round with Ryan Finley. I would be perfectly find with a quarterback selection in the third round or later. The Broncos shouldn’t go into the 2019 season with Kevin Hogan as their sole backup to Joe Flacco.

This kind of draft would immediately put me into excitement mode for this season. How would you grade this draft class if it were to happen?