NFL.com’s Chad Reuter’s seven-round mock draft would give the Broncos quite a haul

NFL.com’s draft analyst Chad Reuter recently released a full seven-round mock draft for all 32 teams including the Denver Broncos. (You can view his entire seven-round mock draft here). I personally like the haul he comes away with for the Broncos and it is a rather realistic haul as well. So let us take a look at the prospects Reuter gave the Broncos.

» Round 1, No. 10 overall: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

» Round 2, No. 41: Dalton Risner, OG, Kansas State

» Round 3, No. 71: Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois

» Round 4, No. 125 (from Texans): Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn

» Round 5, No. 148: Keelan Doss, WR, UC Davis

» Round 5, No. 156 (from Vikings): Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State

» Round 6, No. 182: Malik Carney, edge, North Carolina

» Round 7, No. 237 (from Texans): Diontae Johnson, WR, Toledo

Thoughts:

First off, let us take a look at how he has the first nine picks going leading up to the Broncos 10th overall selection.

1. Cardinals: QB, Kyler Murray
2. Raiders via 49ers: QB, Drew Lock
3. Jets: EDGE, Nick Bosa
4. 49ers via Raiders: DL, Quinnen Williams
5. GIants via Buccaneers: QB, Daniel Jones
6. Buccaneers via Giants: EDGE, Josh Allen
7. Jaguars: DL, Ed Oliver
8. Lions: EDGE, Montez Sweat
9. Dolphins via Bills: QB, Dwayne Haskins

This scenario takes all four of the top quarterback prospects off the board for the Broncos but does drop some top prospects like T.J. Hockenson, Devin Bush, Jonah Williams, and so on.

Personally, I think the Broncos would be fielding trade offers looking to move back while acquiring more picks to build the roster. However, Reuter has the Broncos selecting Iowa tight end, T.J. Hockenson.

With the top four quarterbacks off the board, Denver picks an elite tight end prospect for Joe Flacco and whomever takes over the Flacco in the future.

Hockenson is certainly in play for the Broncos at 10th overall even if a quarterback is on the board. Rich Scangarello’s offense will feature the tight end in the passing and running game and Hockenson is stellar at both of those things. He would be a great building block for this young and developing offense.

Second Round: OL Dalton Risner

This pick would instantly be a popular one in Broncos Country. Risner is a Broncos fan who has won the hearts of Broncos fans and in this scenario, the heart of the Broncos and Offensive Line coach, Mike Munchak.

Risner could play tackle for the Broncos, if needed, but for now he lines up inside to get the Broncos’ five best guys on the line.

Risner would likely slide in at right guard or center for the Broncos. He has the versatility to play pretty much any spot along the line and will give the Broncos offense an added boost in the run game.

Third Round: NT Khalen Saunders

I would love this pick. Saunders is one of my favorite prospects in this draft and is coming off a strong draft process that helped him make a name for himself.

Saunders will be a fine nose tackle for the Broncos, backing up Shelby Harris in 2019 and possibly replacing him if he leaves as a free agent in 2020.

He is an explosive NT who can do back-flips at 320+ pounds. He would help replace Domata Peko and serve as an intriguing developmental prospect for Vic Fangio and Bill Kollar.

Fourth Round: QB Jarrett Stidham

The Broncos get their quarterback prospect here. There have been plenty of rumors and whispers about OC Rich Scangarello wanting to work with Stidham so this pick could certainly happen on day three.

He is coming off a not so great 2018 season, but his 2017 play flashed some top level play and potential that may intrigue an offensive coordinator/quarterback developer. Scags helped make Nick Mullens into a respectable looking quarterback, so let us see what he can do with Stidham.

I personally would like to see what he could do with someone like Tyree Jackson, but would be cool with Stidham in the fourth-round.

Fifth Round: WR Keelan Doss and ILB Terrill Hanks

Doss would give the Broncos another big wide receiver for quarterback Joe Flacco to work with. He would also provide depth and add more youth to an already young wide receiving group.

Hanks would give Vic Fangio the athletic linebacker he covets, but a developmental one that likely won’t push for playing time right away. I like Hanks and think he could develop into a starter for the Broncos down the road, especially with this coaching staff.

Sixth Round: EDGE Malik Carney

Carney isn’t a very exciting prospect, but he would give the Broncos some depth behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Ideally, I would have the Broncos address this earlier, but better now than never I suppose.

Seventh Round: WR Diontae Johnson

A second wide receiver? But if Johnson is available here, it would be a bit of a steal. He probably goes in the 4th or 5th round range in my opinion.

He has met with the Broncos and would give them an athletic and speedy slot/special teams option.

Final Thoughts:

I like most of the picks, but would like to see them trade back in the first-round and get another couple picks on day two and three to take advantage of the depth in the middle of this draft.

The lack of a cornerback in this draft also stands out to me. The unit lacks depth and I believe we will see another added at some point during the draft.