Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - 3 Denver Broncos MOCK DRAFT Scenarios Proving Elite Value

Starting point is 00:00:00 Even without a first round pick, the Denver Broncos are set up well to dominate the 2026 NFL draft. We've got three mock drafts for you on today's episode of the show. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. The Denver Broncos do not need a first round pick to dominate the 26 NFL draft because this year's draft class really lines up perfectly with exactly what this team needs.

Starting point is 00:00:34 right now and frankly going forward we're going to talk about that on today's bonus episode lock down broncos welcome to all you every dayers out there my name is sarah bedinger co-host here of lockdown broncos as well as the site expert at predominantly orange dot com today we're going to be taking a look at not one not two but three mock draft scenarios that prove my point of why this draft class is really perfect for where the broncos are at i'm also going to throw out some ideas of why i think this year's draft might be setting up for the team to make a trade during the draft weekend for a veteran player. And look at a scenario where the Broncos zig when everybody thinks they're going to

Starting point is 00:01:09 zag a little bit. Let's jump right into it, okay? Because we've got three mock drafts to break down. We got some theories to break down. I don't have my tinfoil hat, but I do have a little bit of silver on this hat. If you're watching online, I got the new Denver Broncos NFL draft hats. Pretty sweet, pretty slick hats like those a lot. Broncos country, maybe the best that they've had in years.

Starting point is 00:01:28 Let me know your thoughts down below. But let's talk about the first mock draft that I have here. And so for these mock draft scenarios, here's a rundown of what I'm going to do. We're just going to do the top three picks overall for the Broncos. So they've got their second round pick, number 62 overall. And then they've got two selections in the fourth round. And we're going to take a look at all of those picks. So those three picks for each mock draft, the first mock draft scenario is one that I think is kind of a,

Starting point is 00:01:54 it could divide a little bit of the fan base here. It's the running back on top scenario. So top three picks in this mock draft, we got Mike Washington, Jr. the running back out of Arkansas. And then we went with linebacker and tight end. So we kind of went chalk in the first two mock drafts. Just a little spoiler alert. We kind of went chalk in terms of the three top perceived needs for this Denver

Starting point is 00:02:17 Broncos team right now, which I think most people would agree running back, linebacker and tight end, especially without a first and third round pick to work with. So we got Mike Washington from Arkansas, the running back. We got Harold Perkins, the linebacker from LSU. And we got Oscar Delp, the tight end. out of Georgia. Now, here's what I like about this mock draft. I love the fact that Mike Washington reminds me a lot of Latavius Murray in terms of his body type. You get a running back with some big time size, outstanding long speed. And there's been some question marks about ball security,

Starting point is 00:02:49 given the fact that he had 12 fumbles at the college level. But I think, you know, what, the Broncos are in a position right now where they're going to have to weigh the risk reward with anybody that lands in that 60 second overall second. Look, literally. Listen to me. The draft gets me too excited, people. The 60-second overall slot. And so unless Jedarian Price is there, I'm not sure the Broncos could get a better running back value at 62 than Mike Washington.

Starting point is 00:03:16 And I think that he would be a really good pick for them. Obviously, running the 4-3-9 that he did at the scouting combine, sort of put the, I mean, the spotlight on him as a prospect. I don't know that he's necessarily a perfect prospect, but he's a really good one for where the Broncos are at. And it would be fascinating to see kind of what drafting a running back at 62 would mean for the future of obviously R.J. Harvey was a second round pick just last year. So I personally am kind of leaning away from the idea that the Broncos will take a running back at 62, although I don't think we can rule it out by any means. So Harold Perkins with that second selection there, a bit of a risk reward pick because Harold Perkins was outstanding his first two years at LSU.

Starting point is 00:04:00 I mean, he was a top 30 prospect nationally and definitely was one of the more talented prospects to come into that LSU program at the time. Injuries sort of derailed his progress, but we saw this past season that he's still capable of being the guy who was just, I mean, on another level of productivity, his first two seasons with the team was being almost guaranteed as a future first round pick, a top 10 pick. So I think the Broncos will buy into that. They have a lot of former five star guys on their roster. So that is something that they look at is just that that natural football ability that's kind of always been there. Not that they won't take developmental guys, but I think Harold Perkins, maybe a buy low situation, a low risk, high reward selection there on day three. And then the tight end class is just so deep in this.

Starting point is 00:04:47 I don't even know if we've talked about Oscar Delp all that much on this show. But he's another prospect at the tight end position, one of many that I would absolutely love for this Denver Broncos team. really good blocker, really good athlete, and he showcased that big time. I think he scored a 9.7 something in the Rass department, big time athlete at the tight end position. And somebody who didn't necessarily get the volume in the passing game that obviously Brock Bowers got at Georgia, but I think he's somebody who definitely has that upside and offers you something that is beyond just the occasional outlet.

Starting point is 00:05:22 He's somebody who can develop into a dangerous weapon in the passing game. So I love this mock draft scenario, honestly. And I think it speaks to the depth of the three positions that the Broncos are perceived to need the most. Let's get into mock draft number two. We're going to get into some off the wall situations here. But for mock draft number two, we're going to go with the same three positions of need, but we're going to go in a different order because obviously the Broncos pick at 62. They don't pick again until day three, right?

Starting point is 00:05:50 So we've talked about the idea that they could trade up. But we're working under the assumption right now that their second. round pick is like the pick. That's the one pick they're going to have in the top 100 as of right now. And here's my second scenario. It starts off with Max Claire, the tight end out of Ohio State. And for many of the similar reasons why I like Oscar Delb, why I like a lot of other tight end prospects in this class is it just feels like Max Claire has a really well-rounded game. But he might have bigger potential than a lot of these other day two, day three guys to develop into that true weapon in the passing game that Sean, Peyton has so badly coveted, right? And he calls it the Joker. That's not my term for it. That's what Sean Payton calls it. So Max Clair, to me, is that type of guy who could develop into a featured

Starting point is 00:06:38 weapon. Let's call it that. A featured weapon in the passing game. Somebody who showed off his route running ability, even before he got to Ohio State, a transfer from Purdue, big time athlete, once again, I mean, there's a common theme amongst this tight end class. And so I just think the pro readiness in terms of running routes at the tight end position. He's going to be there. I think when it comes to blocking, he's going to be better than a lot of other prospects who are, you know, primary receiving threats in this draft class. I like Max Claire quite a bit, especially in the Denver Broncos context.

Starting point is 00:07:10 So he's my top pick for the second mock draft scenario. The second pick in this scenario is a guy that we've talked about before, Caleb Elarms or the linebacker out of TCU, elite athletic traits, top tier. production. I don't think you really overthink that one. If he's there early in the fourth round, he's somebody who could contribute immediately on special teams, and he's also somebody who could develop into a

Starting point is 00:07:34 starter. And I know we've looked at other Penn State players in the past, but one guy that I have never talked about is the guy who I picked third in this mock draft scenario. So we went Max Claire, and then we went Caleb Elams or the linebacker out of TCU. Now here we're going Ketron Allen, the

Starting point is 00:07:50 running back out of Penn State. He is, I mean, pound for pound almost identical to his teammate Nick Singleton at the running back position. But this guy is a bruiser. And I think he's somebody who could really fit what the Broncos desperately need in terms of a short yardage back, somebody who can come in, grind out those tough yards, provide some valuable depth at the position, stick his nose in there and pass protection, and just really offer you a true physical presence at the position.

Starting point is 00:08:18 Ketron Allen. So that rounds out those first two mock draft scenarios, Broncos country. and we really went chalk with the needs. They're running back, tight end, linebacker. It kind of feels like the Broncos are shaping up to potentially look at the draft in that lens, right? And say, hey, we're going into this. We need to come away with our top three picks being running back, linebacker, tight end. Although we know the Broncos, right?

Starting point is 00:08:41 They love to zig when everybody thinks that they're going to zag or vice versa. And we're going to look at a scenario where they do exactly that coming up on today's bonus episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's episode of Lockdown Broncos is brought to you by Indeed. Workplace chaos, deadlines stacking up, inbox overflowing, and the one position you have to fill still sitting open. When the pressure's on and you need the right hire, this is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs.

Starting point is 00:09:09 Indeed, sponsored jobs helps you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for, skills, experience, location. So you're not just hoping the right candidate stumbles across your post. And here's a stat that really says it all. In the minute I've been talking to you, companies like yours made 27 hires on Indeed, according to Indeed data worldwide. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes with Indeed sponsored jobs. Spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your boxes, less stress, less time, more results. When you need the right person to cut through the chaos, this is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs.

Starting point is 00:09:49 And listeners of this show will get a $75. dollar sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at indeed.com slash podcast. Just go to indeed. com slash podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

Starting point is 00:10:10 Need to hire. This is a job for indeed sponsored jobs. Today's show is also brought to you by Fanduel, the NBA playoffs. They're just about here, right? And every possession matter. Every matchup is magnified and every game can swing a series. And right now, Van Duel is giving new customers a great way to get in on the action. Here's what I like about it.

Starting point is 00:10:32 You can bet just $5 and get $250 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. And the app makes it easy to follow the action with player stats, trends, and matchups all in one place. And during the playoffs, that extra insight really matters when you're looking in, you know, stars, role players, key moments, all of it. It just makes the entire playoff experience more engaging from start to finish. And if you're not looking at NBA stuff, maybe you're looking ahead at NFL stuff, you'll find that the Denver Broncos are plus 1900 to win the Super Bowl next year. They have lower odds, actually, than the Kansas City Chiefs at plus 1,600 right now. Lower odds than the Detroit Lions at plus 1,800 Broncos country.

Starting point is 00:11:10 It might be a smart move to check that out at Fanduel. And much more. Obviously, head to Fandual.com to get started. FanDuel, play your game. We looked at a couple of chalk scenarios for the Denver Broncos going after their top three needs, at least from the outside looking in their top three needs. But what if the Broncos zig when everybody else is going to zag? We're going to take a look at one scenario.

Starting point is 00:11:35 And I'm also going to kind of throw out an idea of why I think this year's draft class could be the ideal class to make another trade for a veteran player during the draft at some point. Broncos country, let's dive right on into it. So here's my off-the-wall idea. It's not like we've never looked at a scenario like this before. but I've got a couple of big guys going in this mock draft. Okay. So with the top pick, I took Jennings Dunker.

Starting point is 00:11:57 Now, accuse me of being Iowa biased all you want to. You know I love my Hawkeyes, but I think Jennings Dunker is an interesting potential prospect for the Denver Broncos. Obviously, they might have future needs at left guard and right tackle. We'll see what the team really thinks of Frank Crum, Alex Palchesey, another guy like Nick Garjulo on the interior as well as he makes his, way back from injury, but ultimately I could really see that left guard position with Ben Powers entering a contract year. That could be a focus area for this team. The Broncos have done

Starting point is 00:12:32 some pre-draft digging on offensive linemen. I don't know that that necessarily means they're going to go after one with their top pick in this draft, but because they'll be probably picking late in the first round next year, right? We assume I think they could look to a future starter to get somebody acclimated and Jennings Dunker would be great value at pick number 62 overall. He was 61 on the big board that I utilized and I try to always use different ones when it comes to mock draft scenarios because I never want to get too married to the idea that certain players are going to be available at certain pick slots. So I figured it wasn't too much of a reach to think that he could be there.

Starting point is 00:13:09 And then if he is there for the Denver Broncos, that would be a smart pick. I mean, as much as I hate the idea of a rookie not playing right away, especially the top pick for this Denver Broncos team that's in Super Bowl contention. You want to build your team to win from now on. That means investing in the trenches. Jennings Dunker projects as a potential starter at either tackle or guard at the next level. I think he could be that starting left guard as soon as 2027 for the Denver Broncos. And maybe give some better insurance there if anything happens to Garrett Bulls at the left tackle spot.

Starting point is 00:13:40 So you don't have to work with flipping guys to positions that they're not used to playing or that they're not, It's not part of the vision for them to play at that spot. So I think that could be very interesting Broncos country. Let me know your thoughts on that. But that wasn't the only pick. Obviously, we're going to continue to keep it a little bit off the wall, right? Second pick, I do think if I had to call my shot right now, I think one of the top three picks for the Denver Broncos will be a running back.

Starting point is 00:14:05 So I went with Nick Singleton, the running back out of Penn State. I've talked about I love this guy. I love Nick Singleton on day three for the Denver Broncos, especially, just has all the qualities that you look for. Big time prospect coming out of high school. It's supposed to be better than Sequin Barclay. I mean, when he got to Penn State, the hype was over the top.

Starting point is 00:14:25 And obviously, guys aren't always going to live up to that hype, but I think Nick Singleton is going to be a much better pro than maybe he even was at the college level. I think he's just a great fit. Three down back, big size. Obviously, he's got power. He's got speed.

Starting point is 00:14:39 He's athletic. He's somebody that I would say the Broncos should target on day three of this draft. but the other surprising pick here is Caleb Proctor, a defensive line prospect out of southeastern Louisiana. I was doing a little bit of digging on this guy, and he kind of generally tends to fall to the third day of any mock draft prediction scenario that I do.

Starting point is 00:15:00 He's somebody, listen to these numbers here. Okay, 9.14 on the Rast scale, 6 foot 2, 291 pounds, so he's a bit undersized on the defensive line, but 33-inch arms. So even though he's a little bit on the shorter, stockier side. He's got good arm length, 479 in the 40-yard dash. That's the 99th percentile. He was in the 94th percentile with a 1.68 10-yard split, and he had a 33-inch vertical, 93rd percentile in that category. So we've got a big-time athlete, eight sacks last season,

Starting point is 00:15:34 39 pressures last season, very, very interesting smaller school prospect who showed up in a game that he played against LSU this past season as well. So I just think the loss of John Franklin Myers is getting a bit understated amongst Broncos country right now. And obviously they've got Sabian Jones. They've got Enjoma Uwazerique, but you want to keep that pass rush chugging right along. And so I think you hedge your bets any way that you can. There's no reason not to go after a defensive line with pass rush abilities if one presents itself like, you know, Caleb Proctor on day three of the draft. So this mock draft scenario, you've got two big boys.

Starting point is 00:16:13 You've got Jennings Dunker with that top pick and Caleb Proctor routing things out in round four. And of course, with all these different scenarios, you can sort of look at how the Broncos could piece together their other needs. But doesn't this draft with the Jalen Waddle trade, even with seven selections, it does feel a little bit incomplete. Like the Broncos can't adequately address all of their needs through one draft. That's why we're trying to do these exercises that, you know, they've got running back, tight end lineback. or in some order of those top three picks. That was how it felt in 2023. That was how it felt a little bit in 2024 as well.

Starting point is 00:16:51 What did the Denver Broncos do in both of those draft classes? Back in 2023, they made a trade for Adam Troutman, which I know he's not necessarily the most popular guy in Broncos country right now. But at the time, man, that trade made a lot of sense for the Denver Broncos, didn't it? I mean, to get him in the building for, I think it was a sixth round pick or something like that, just made so much sense. And then they did something very similar the next year where it felt like, man, they need a quarterback, they need this, they need that, they need to, you know, upgrade this area.

Starting point is 00:17:21 They couldn't necessarily go out and get a defensive lineman that could rush the passer with their, you know, their draft capital that they had. They had to take Bow Nix. They had to take a quarterback in round one. And you had limited draft capital after that. So what did they do? They swung a trade for John Franklin Myers. And I'm not saying that the exact.

Starting point is 00:17:41 exact same scenario is going to present itself, but Broncos country going into this draft with needs at running back, at tight end, at linebacker, could any of these picks that the Broncos have on day three potentially be utilized to trade for a veteran player? Or maybe it's a future pick because we know the Broncos are working towards they're very close.

Starting point is 00:18:01 And I'm going to do a bonus episode later this week talking about this subject in depth, but they're very close to securing that fourth round compensatory pick for John Franklin Myers. Do they look at trading some late round draft capital for veteran help on this roster? I think there's a good chance that could happen. So stay tuned. We'll do some discussion about that coming up on lockdown Broncos this week. But let me know your favorite of these top three mock draft scenarios.

Starting point is 00:18:28 Let me know if you have different ideas completely. I'm excited to continue to explore scenarios. We only got a couple weeks left. We're just about two weeks out from the 2026 NFL draft. So plenty more scenarios to come. But Broncos country, appreciate you. so much for tuning in on today's episode of the show and we'll catch you on the next one

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - 3 Denver Broncos MOCK DRAFT Scenarios Proving Elite Value

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.