The Broncos Country Vote Mock Draft v8.0

When a guard is the big signing, it probably hasn’t been a super exciting opening day of free agency. Keep in mind that Denver’s move for A.J. Bouye gave them a big move before the market started, and that Justin Simmons would have been a top 15 free agent for any other team in the league. It looks like the plan is shaping up to be something I called for last week, fiscal responsibility and playing out the second and third wave of free agency in order to find value. It may be boring, but I dig it.

In the meantime though, we got a little clarity on how free agency is going to directly impact the Broncos in the draft. How you may ask? Well...

1. Cincinnati Bengals - QB, Joe Burrow, LSU

Burrow is going number one, and the Bengals just franchised A.J. Green in part because their new savior asked for it.

2. Washington - ED, Chase Young, OSU

There’s going to be rumors about Tua Tagovailoa here until the pick is in, but I don’t think Snyder gives up on Dwayne Haskins so soon.

T3. Miami Dolphins - QB, Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

While there’s rumors about a certain Oregon Duck, I still expect the Phish to move up to get Tua. If they go all the way to 2, Young will land in Motown. In this scenario there’s little reason to believe Quinn stays still as they’re locked into Stafford and can collect a haul for a small slide down the board.

4. New York Giants - OT, Mekhi Becton, Louisville

There was a rumor that this may be the year Dave Gettleman finally trades down, possibly to get Derrick Brown, who he may like. In the end, I think tagging Leonard Williams and the potential to grab a high upside left tackle to protect his last two first round picks will be too much for him to pass up.

T5. Detroit Lions - CB, Jeffrey Okudah, OSU

Lions get a haul and the guy they wanted all along.

6. Los Angeles Chargers - OT, Jedrick Wills, Alabama

Tom Telesco found a way to dump Russel Okung and his bitcoin on an unsuspecting college coach. Acquiring Trai Turner and drafting Jedrick Wills will quickly turn a weakness into a strength in 2020.

7. Carolina Panthers - QB, Justin Herbert, Oregon

Matt Hurney risked his health last week to fly across the country and see Herbert throw in shorts. There’s real interest here.

8. Arizona Cardinals - X, Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

The DeAndre Hopkins trade was one heck of a coup. Steve Keim continues to make the Cardinals a dark horse contender when they take Simmons as the new cornerstone of Vance Joseph’s defense. Jury’s out on if that’ll be enough to slow down tight ends.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars - DL, Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

Doug Marrone is a dead man walking. The fact that Dave Caldwell has started an obvious fire sale hints that he may survive to find another head coach. Kinlaw gives the defense a replacement for Marcel Dareus, a big body to keep blockers on Myles Jack, and a long term disrupter in the middle. All this while still giving Gardner Minshew a shot to prove he’s the guy (or not) in time to turn around and tank for Trevor Lawrence.

10. Cleveland Browns - OT, Tristan Wirfs, Iowa

He’s the apple of their eye. Wirfs won’t make it past 10.

T11. Philadelphia Eagles - WR, Henry Ruggs, Alabama

One of the more obvious issues with the Jets current roster is that ever since they traded up to get Sam Darnold they’ve never built a roster around him. They have quite a bit of cap space to buy talent, but it’d be a huge boon for them to auction off this pick and slide down.

The Eagles, on the other hand are clearly passing weapons away from another legit run in the NFC. After missing out on Byron Jones to the Dolphins, they make sure they add the speed Carson Wentz so desperately needs by grabbing Ruggs.

12. Las Vegas Raiders - WR, CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Jon Gruden’s irate someone jumped him for Henry Ruggs. Mike Mayock pivots to the next receiver on the Raiders board. Lamb is a legit WR1 for an offense that needs one. His 4.51 keeps him from being as flashy as Ruggs or Jeudy, but watch some of his highlights. This is a scary addition to the AFC West.

13. San Francisco 49ers - WR, Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

There was a lot of talk yesterday about how the Niners could turn the DeForest Buckner trade into another top tier defensive line prospect. This misses the point that 1) Kinlaw looks like he’ll go before 13 and 2) Robert Saleh has an embarrassment of riches on the defensive line, but Shanahan’s receiving corps is pretty bare after Deebo Samuel.

Ideally Henry Ruggs falls here as his speed could serve to occupy safeties to help Shanny’s rushing attack. That gone, Jeudy gives Jimmy G a reliable outlet receiver who can play inside and outside.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OT, Andrew Thomas, Georgia

Bruce Arians looks set on Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, or Teddy Bridgewater at the time I write this. One thing any of them will need is a reliable backside protector, and while Donovan Smith’s being paid like one... he’s pretty meh.

15. Vote for who you would draft Broncos Country!

Your Broncos’ Links

Denver Broncos have signed offensive lineman Graham Glasgow - Mile High Report

Broncos have improved their offensive line.

Denver Broncos reportedly “all in” on defensive lineman D.J. Reader - Mile High Report

Looks like Broncos are focusing on adding a big man to their defensive line.

Broncos place 2nd round tender on Elijah Wilkinson - Mile High Report

The Broncos 2019 right tackle will stick around.

Denver Broncos free agency tracker 2020: News, rumors, and updates - Mile High Report

When it comes to the Denver Broncos and free agency, we have you covered. Check back often for updates on news, reports, and rumors from free agency.

Broncos agree to 4-year deal with OL Graham Glasgow

This past season, he played 81 percent of snaps — missing the Lions’ loss at Oakland with a back injury. Detroit decided to rotate him out of games when it had its top three guards healthy to get veteran Kenny Wiggins playing time — a decision Lions coach Matt Patricia admitted was “a little bit unique to us” at the end of the season.

NFL Links

NFL draft to proceed April 23-25 sans public events in Las Vegas - NFL.com

The NFL draft will proceed April 23-25 and will be televised, but public draft events in Las Vegas will not take place.

Giants agree with James Bradberry on $45 million deal - NFL.com

At $15 million per year, Bradberry will be the third-highest paid CB in the league in average annual value, behind Miami’s Xavien Howard ($15.1M) and Byron Jones, who agreed to a deal worth over $17 million per year with the Dolphins just minutes after Bradberry’s signing was announced.

Colts acquire DeForest Buckner for first-round pick - NFL.com

Soon after locking up Arik Armstead on a five-year deal, the 49ers shipped out another star defensive lineman. The Colts are acquiring DeForest Buckner from the Niners in exchange for their 2020 first-round pick.

Stunner: Texans trade DeAndre Hopkins to Cardinals - NFL.com

In a surprising move, DeAndre Hopkins is headed to Arizona. The Cardinals are receiving the star wideout in a deal with the Houston Texans for RB David Johnson, Ian Rapoport reported.

Cardinals Wise To Tread Carefully With Tagging Kenyan Drake | The Draft Network

The Cardinals have placed the transition tag on Drake, which will cost them $8.483 million in salary this season. In return, they will have the right to refuse any other team that looks to secure a long-term contract with the running back. It’s a strong play from Arizona, given the volatility and streakiness of Drake’s play all throughout the course of his tenure in Miami.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Staying Busy While Awaiting Brady Decision | The Draft Network

How much of a coincidence was it that Tampa Bay’s second wind coincided with the return of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul? No coincidence at all.

Austin Hooper Signing Shows Kevin Stefanski’s Vision | The Draft Network

Let’s take a look at the signing and its impact.

Jack Conklin Is A Perfect Piece To The Browns Puzzle | The Draft Network

Conklin has started in every game that he’s been healthy for. After the debacle that was the Greg Robinson experiment and Chris Hubbard’s deal not working out, Cleveland needs some type of stability for Baker Mayfield, whose development suffered during his sophomore year.

Ravens Get Another Steal In Hayden Hurst Trade | The Draft Network

Let’s look at this trade and examine what this means for both organizations involved.