With a week out to the draft, time if getting where seems like some things are getting fleshed out. I think the Broncos are in the market in no particular order a TE, LB, RB and S. I don’t think the expectations should be immediate starter(s), but rather people that can develop into solid starters. With that we star the final mock until next week.
Trade alert – Seeing top LB go off the board and seeing better value in the TE class later in the draft, the Broncos trade Pick 62 and pick 170 to the Bills for Pick 91 and Bills 2nd round pick in 2027.
Pick 91 – Jason Kilgore S South Carolina: Not an immediate short term need, but long term we need plus safeties, Kilgore is muscular and physical safety who brings versality able to play multiple roles in the backfield from in the box, deep rover, to nickle. He is a playmaker and has explosion in his tackling. He’s a little stiff hipped but smart player who understands how to break on routes and take appropriate angles. Sets Broncos up to replace Brandon Jones in a season.
Pick 108 – Eli Raridon TE Notre Dame: I think he brings most everything that Payton is looking for in a TE. He is an excellent blocker, runs solid routs, has excellent catch radius and shows explosiveness. He has dealt with injuries which has limited his production, but has measurables to be an excellent all round TE who can line up in a multiple of positions. Will need to add some muscle to his base to consistently hold up as a blocker. But someone who I think can come in an become an highly effective player by year 2.
Pick 111 – Seth McGowan RB Kentucky: He’s probably not the sexy pick people want, but I think he fits well with a rotation of Dobbins, Harvey. Excellent size and explosiveness and vision. He is an older rookie who had early legal trouble as a OU high recruit that forced him to mature and work his way back into football. I think he is more underrated than some backs mainly because of his age and the fact he had to start back down at the Juco route and work back into a starting role at a Power 5 program. Will need to improve pass blocking but has the size and I believe the want to be that bigger bruising back the broncos lacked last season.
Pick 246 – Eric Gentry LB USC: This is a flyer pick and I don’t expect Gentry to do much other than maybe be a ST standout. He is a very tall LB at 6’ 7” but also very light for his size in 225 lbs. He will need to bulk up for sure. But Ted Hendricks was a tall LB and made a havoc using his size and length. Gentry already is able to disrupt passing lanes and use his length to drag down backs. He also has been highly productive at USC. That being said he will have to be brought along while he fills out as he has a hard time taking on blocks at his size. He’s a project with huge potential for upside.
Pick 256 Alex Harkey OG Oregon: He’s had a long strange career starting at CU then transferring to Texas State and eventually his last season at Oregon. He was a tackle at Oregon but likely kicks down to guard in the NFL. He is a former TE and moves extremely well especially in the run game where he can deliver explosive blocks at the 2nd level. Where he struggles is with pass game blocking consistency, especially against higher end competition. Another kid that has steadily progressed and due to his mobility, length and aggression could become a solid pro.
Pick 257 – Bryson Eason DT Tennessee: He’s a guy that doesn’t wow you but a steady performer in the SEC, older rookie so question will be is he at the max of his abilities with limited room for growth. High motor guy who started as a LB and grew into a DT. Good explosion and attacks double teams, uses his leverage and has active hands. His pass rush moves are limited and he can be slow to react at times and can get engulfed with larger lineman.