The Broncos Country Vote Mock Draft v9.0

It’s been awhile since we had a Vote Mock. So now with free agency mostly behind us and lying season fully underway, it’s time to predict who will go where and see what player Broncos’ Country wants. To set the board as best I can, the following picks are my best guess where each team will go.

Let’s get this party started.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - QB, Joe Burrow, LSU

It’s kind of funny how the national Draft analysts are just now getting fatigue over Burrow to the Bengals and trying to stir up Dolphins trades. Maybe they’ll get crazy like I did by the 23rd, but I doubt it.

This pick is a stone cold lock, until it isn’t. We’re at a point in the process where the boo birds are trying to cling to the “one year wonder” tag and discount the video game season he just had. While I do wonder about his ceiling, he’s easily one of the two best prospects to come out since 2018.

2. Washington - ED, Chase Young, OSU

The Kyle Allen trade put a real damper on that Tua Tagovailoa speculation, but if Rivera thinks so little of Dwayne Haskins that Allen is real competiton... maybe they should take the Alabama signal caller.

Don’t see it, but just thinking out loud.

T3. Los Angeles Chargers - QB, Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Welcome to the New AFC West, where Derek Carr is the elder statesman and everyone is staring up at Patrick Mahomes. Let’s hope Drew Lock makes a jump so the Broncos can keep up in the arms race.

There’s been a lot of conflicting reports about Tua, which makes sense because QB drama stirs all of the draft shows at this time of year. One thing is clear: if the Dolphins want to make sure they get him, they have more than enough ammo to do it. Right now, I think they’re perfectly happy keeping the picks and taking another QB. LA gets a man to (hopefully) fill their empty stadium.

4. New York Giants - X, Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

Every year leaks start to come out of New York. This year word is that the pick is coming down to Tristan Wirfs of Iowa and Simmons. I expect the latter to be the guy. While the Giants did just spend monopoly money on former Packers, they’re still slated to start David Mayo.

With Patrick Graham as DC, it will be interesting to see how the G-Men get the most out of Simmons skillset. Some see him as a linebacker, others a safety. He’s a modern hybrid that played at an elite level across five positions for the Clemson Tigers, and he’ll need to do something similar to justify a top 4 selection.

5. Miami Dolphins- T, Jedrick Wills, Alabama

In a bit of a surprise, the Dolphins elect to skip on the 3rd or 4th best QB here to shore up their offensive line. One reason I suspect this may happen is that the arguments are Herbert and Love seem to hint that the league is split on them. If the Dolphins have them close enough together they could feel comfortable grabbing a top tier replacement for Julie’n Davenport or Jesse Davis here and waiting to see how things shake out. If one of them goes before 18, they have the picks to move up to secure the last.

On the field Wills fits what the Dolphins want to do. He’s dominates at the point of attack on down blocks and allowed all of one sack across his career in the SEC. Whether he’s a right tackle or left, he’d be a massive upgrade on one of the edges and that will help improve the whole unit.

T6. Detroit Lions - CB, Jeffrey Okudah, OSU

Okudah has been mocked to the Lions so long I half expect Bob Quinn to mess it up in typical fashion. That said, I can’t do it here because it just makes too much sense.

Matt Patricia has tried to follow the most recent model Bill Belichick has laid out for building his defenses, which means prioritizing coverage on the back end to more easily scheme pressure up front. Okudah is the best cornerback prospect to come out in years and would fit the Lions’ defense in a way Darius Slay never could. He’s capable in press and should help lock down the spot across from Desmond Trufant.

7. Carolina Panthers - DL, Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

I think the Panthers will try and move down from this spot. While there’s been speculation in the last couple weeks that Joe Brady means the Panthers could go receiver here, one look at the defensive roster combined with Matt Rhule’s background makes me believe they want to shore up the D. Whether you have Kinlaw or Brown first, you’d probably agree that both can help a front starting Woodrow Hamilton and Stephen Weatherly in base.

In the end, I suspect it will be Kinlaw over Brown because dating back to his days at Temple Rhule has prioritized adding athletes with a belief his coaching staff can turn them into players. Brown’s a monstrously strong interior presence, but Kinlaw’s upside is likely higher.

8. Arizona Cardinals - OT, Tristan Wirfs, Iowa

The Cards have been a popular trade destination lately because they fleeced traded with the Texans to acquire DeAndre Hopkins, forfeiting a second round pick in the process. This ignores the fact that they still have 72 and two picks in the fourth round. Maybe they move down for the right haul, but eight is a prime spot to land falling talent.

So it is with Tristan Wirfs, the perfect tackle for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense with the mobility to turn into a terrifying presence on screen plays and moving up to the second level. Kyler Murray may be bummed he doesn’t reunite with CeeDee Lamb, but Marcus Gilbert’s on a 1-year $1.05 million deal. I’d bet Keim and Kliff’s expectation is Murray’s sophomore jump will prevent them from getting another chance at an elite tackle prospect.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR, CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

I suspect Dave Caldwell will surprise many in the NFL Draft community and look to upgrade the offense on Day 1. There has been rumors percolating for awhile now about a desire to see what Gardner Minshew really is. That means eliminating any excuse for failure, and when you look at the receiving corps after D.J. Chark, it’s a lot of question marks and excuses.

Lamb would give the Jags a clear cut alpha receiver and moving Chark down a rung will help him emerge as one of the best number twos in the league, assuming the mustache has it.

T10. Philadelphia Eagles - OT, Henry Ruggs, Alabama

As is the case every year, there was a lot of talk at the NFL Combine in March. Two rumors that came out of Indy I haven’t been able to put away are Phillie’s desire to jump up for a receiver in this class and the Browns’ infatuation with Ezra Cleveland. With the two best tackles off the board and a front office steeped in analytics they take the opportunity to slide back and collect a haul.

With Ruggs, the Iggles get the sorely needed speed they lost when DeSean Jackson was hurt last year. With a roster built to contend for Super Bowls in 2020 and a desire for playmakers, they deem the price worth paying.

11. New York Jets - OT, Mekhi Becton, Louisville

One of the things that has slipped beneath the radar with Gang green is how darn near the entirety of their free agent class signed flexible contracts. In fact, Connor McGovern was the only offensive linemen to sign a deal that makes him “uncuttable” 2021. Much has been made about George Fant, but if Joe Douglas wants to move him next year it’d cost just $2 million to do so.

I say Douglas, not Gase, because the moves suggest that the GM is preparing for life after the embattled head coach. Which suggests to me this pick will be made with the long view a priority. That should give Thomas the leg up on Mekhi Becton. It’s all too easy to imagine the latter floundering under the kind of dysfunction that could permeate through Jersey this fall. But... it’s the Jets. Upside will rule the day.

12. Las Vegas Raiders - CB, C.J. Henderson, Florida

Lamb and Ruggs going above them pushes Mayock to go to plan B and ride the depth of this class. What should scare Broncos’ Country is how that that could wind up the better decision. When the Eli Apple deal fell apart, it left Vegas with Nevin Lawson atop their depth chart, and taking Henderson should quickly send him to a reserve role.

While I’m a bit cool on the Gator’s fit for the Fangio defense, there is little doubt he’s a very athletic cover man who excels in one on one coverage. He’d give Paul Guenther a promising pair of long corners to lock up the boundary receivers and provide Maurice Hurst and Maxx Crosby time to get to the QB.

I hope it doesn’t happen.

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

Deebo Samuel was the offensive MVP of the Niners Super Bowl efforts, but there is a reason John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan burned draft picks in order to land a half season of Emmanuel Sanders. They desperately need receiving help to buoy Jimmy Garoppolo. Luckily my favorite receiver in this class falls right into their laps.

Jeudy would give Shanahan the kind of flexibility he loves to have with his personnel. Equally capable of tearing up opponents in the slot or on the perimeter, Shanny will be able to move around the other versatile weapons to give defensive coordinators even more headaches. Jeudy’s should also hit the league as a pro ready separator, and that’ll only help a quarterback who is still very much a see-it, throw-it passer.

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

Between their 67-year old coach and 43-year old quarterback, it is obvious the Bucs are facing a very small window to compete for a Lombardi. Which makes a starting tackle pair of Donovan Smith and Joe Haeg less than ideal.

In this scenario, Tompa Bay is lucky enough to watch one of the most pro ready tackles in the class slide to them. After 41 games in the SEC, Thomas should be able to hit the starting lineup during camp at one of the tackle spots and protect a future Hall of Famer.

15. Vote for who you would draft Broncos Country!

Your Broncos’ Links

Jurrell Casey excited to join the Denver Broncos - Mile High Report

The defensive lineman talked with Broncos Country Tonight about the trade from the Titans and playing in Denver.

Denver Broncos prepare for virtual NFL Draft - Mile High Report

A digital draft definitely adds to the event, knowing the Denver Broncos will make their decisions from the homes of John Elway and Vic Fangio.

NFL Draft Links

What is the Denver Broncos most pressing draft need? - Mile High Report

Mile High Report weighs in.

Who does John Elway need to risk it all for in the NFL Draft? - Mile High Report

Mile High Report weighs in.

What’s a sneaky need the Denver Broncos need to address in NFL Draft? - Mile High Report

Everyone knows about the Denver Broncos need at wide receiver, but what else should John Elway chase?

The Broncos have met with MSU cornerback Cameron Dantzler - Mile High Report

Will Elway add another cornerback to the mix?

2020 Draft Profile: Scouting LSU safety Grant Delpit - Mile High Report

Should the Broncos consider drafting the ball hawking safety Grant Delpit?

2020 Draft Profile: Scouting Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs - Mile High Report

Could the big Alabama product be an option for the Broncos?

Denver Broncos Post-NFL Scouting Combine first-round big board - Mile High Report

Decisions, decisions. Here is my first round big board for the Denver Broncos after the NFL Scouting Combine comes to a close.

2020 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos 2020 Cornerback Rankings - Mile High Report

Who should Vic Fangio add to the secondary in the 2020 NFL Draft?

Denver Broncos Post-NFL Scouting Combine first-round big board - Mile High Report

Decisions, decisions. Here is my first round big board for the Denver Broncos after the NFL Scouting Combine comes to a close.

2020 NFL Draft | Markus Bailey: The Overlooked Chess Piece

Russell Brown breaks down the film of Purdue linebacker Markus Bailey. See how he’ll be a great value pick for whichever team drafts him in the 2020 NFL Draft

2020 Mock Draft 5.0: All seven rounds and 255 picks – The Athletic

15. Denver Broncos – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama The Broncos are looking for another playmaker opposite Courtland Sutton and I hear they really like CeeDee Lamb and Denzel Mims. But they also really like Jerry Jeudy with his brake-and-balance skills to uncover at will mid-route.

46. Denver Broncos – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

77. Denver Broncos – Willie Gay, LB, Mississippi State

83. Denver Broncos (from PIT) – Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State

95. Denver Broncos (from SF) – Hakeem Adeniji, OT/G, Kansas

118. Denver Broncos – K’Von Wallace, DS, Clemson 178. Denver Broncos – Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State

181. Denver Broncos (from WAS) – Carter Coughlin, EDGE, Minnesota

252. Denver Broncos – Justin Herron, OT/G, Wake Forest

254. Denver Broncos – Zane Lewis, CB, Air Force

NFL Links

Dolphins G.M. and coach not interested in big move up - ProFootballTalk

According to Peter King of NBC’s Football Morning in America, both General Manager Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores “are very much against trading the farm to move up to get Burrow.”

Police investigated complaint regarding Dak Prescott’s party - ProFootballTalk

“The officer was unable to verify the report of a party,” Prosper P.D. assistant chief Scott M. Brewer told Davisson. “Therefore, he just reminded the resident of the current CDC guidelines — to include social distancing.”

LeSean McCoy: ‘Just want to play two more years’ - NFL.com

”I have a couple teams that I’m looking at,” McCoy said in a recent interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I’m just waiting for the right moment. This stuff is tricky right now, because there’s no visits. There’s no real activities with the teams as much as it used to be. The thing I can control is just making the right choice, going to an offense that fits. I want to go to a team that’s a winning franchise that have all the right pieces that’s waiting for me. The teams I’m looking at right now are those teams. I look forward to probably after the draft or right before the draft, signing on with a team.”