Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - STEAL: Denver Broncos DRAFT Caleb Banks in 2026 NFL Mock Draft, Trade Up Into Round 3

Starting point is 00:00:00 The NFL draft is two weeks away. In our latest Denver Broncos mock draft, the Broncos are taking a freak defensive lineman as round one talent in round two. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:24 What's happened at Broncos country? I'm Cody Rourke. Join as always by Sarah Bedinger. And on today's episode of the show, we are breaking down our latest mock draft. We have two big mock drafts in the next couple of weeks. This is mock draft 1.0. Next week will be 2.0 in the buildup to the NFL draft.

Starting point is 00:00:40 We're going to tell you why Jonah Coleman is someone who highlights as a day three still here for the Broncos at the running back position. Plus, Denver trading up for a tight end prospect that has some upside to offer into this Broncos tight end room. We'll talk about that, but we're going to kick things off by Denver taking a stud defensive lineman who has round one talent in round two. Caleb Banks to Denver. We'll break it all down here. Sarah, let's go through the mock draft that you put together here this week for Broncos Country. As we take a look at this, we'll be breaking down East players specifically in individual bonus episodes throughout the week. But Haleb Banks at pick number 62 here for the Broncos defensive linemen.

Starting point is 00:01:22 And Broncos country may be asking why defensive linemen. Sarah, I'm not opposed to this because Sean Payton, George Payton, they've said it ad nauseum. The trenches matter on both offense and defensive sides of the ball. And this right here is a big boost to Denver's defense. And if you think about it, I mean, the team's biggest loss this offseason was obviously John Franklin Myers on the defensive line. You and I have talked about that. And certainly the Broncos feel like they have some guys who can replace him, right? I mean, In Yoma Uwazerike stepped it up this past season, played more snaps than we've ever seen from him.

Starting point is 00:01:55 Savion Jones. They traded up into the third round last year to get him as well. And you feel like he could be a potential replacement. But we also know that, man, you can never have too many guys. on the defensive line. And, you know, that's, that's just something that you have to consider over the long haul of a season. You're not going to be able to rely on every single one of those guys being available for

Starting point is 00:02:15 all 17 games plus the playoffs. You have to have depth. And in the second round, specifically the back end of the second round, man, there's not a better spot potentially for somebody like Caleb Banks to land because I think he's ranked 52nd on Dane Bruegler's big board, Cody. And that was kind of what I based this mock draft on is kind of, of his round projections, big board, things like that. So it was a minus 10 overall, a bit of a reach to maybe think he could be there.

Starting point is 00:02:42 But at the same time, I mean, injuries kind of been piling up. I know he had an injury even that he suffered at the combine, not expected to even be ready to go until June. So that could cause a bit of a slide in this year's draft, not to mention the fact, I mean, he only played three games this past year at Florida. But with all that out of the way, I mean, you said it. This is an athletic freak, 35 inch arms. I mean, wingspan for days, athletic traits for days, six foot six and change and 330-something pounds. I mean, when you talk about a specimen on the defensive line, this guy is it.

Starting point is 00:03:19 And at Florida, like he played all the way from the nose tackle out to the five technique. So the Broncos can align him anywhere that they want to in their defensive front. And I think that with some coaching and consistency, man, he is going to be a force at the next level. Could be if he lands in Denver in the second round, Cody, I'm saying I'm calling it now. That's the steal of the draft if it happened. You know, sir, the thing that's crazy about Caleb Banks is that he had that foot injury that caused him to miss most of this past season. But at the NFL combine, he did suffer a broken foot. He still tested at an elite level.

Starting point is 00:03:53 He has blue chip traits when you talk about size, strength, and even his athleticism for his size. at his position. That's something that you want to take a chance on, right? Now, here's the thing, too, and people are going to say, well, Sarah, why would you make this selection here if he's had injuries? The Broncos aren't in a position right now, Sarah, where they have to, whoever's going to be picked at 62 has to play right away. But if you're telling me that you can get a player like Banks who is expected to be ready sometime after the month of June, and that when he transitions, when he can get ready, he can just go through, plug and play. He might even be a guy that, learns a little bit through the first half of the season, but maybe rotates in.

Starting point is 00:04:34 Inyo Moazerrique is in the last year of his deal. You just re-signed, obviously, Malcolm Roach and DJ Jones, but as you mentioned, his versatility to be able to play a little bit everywhere on this defensive line. He is specifically useful when you're playing a team that maybe runs the ball really well, probably at a better rate than most other teams. Like, for example, you're going to play the Buffalo builds this upcoming season. You've got to go against James Cook. A guy like him, if the Broncos want to go with a heavy front, especially if they go to

Starting point is 00:04:58 their penny front that they usually do. Well, now you can plug him in and now you have guys that can stop the run and really you just have to worry about the outside there. I like this move. The Broncos, they have the flexibility to make this move this year because of where they're at from a roster standpoint. This is, as you mentioned, you said, well, maybe it's a little bit of reach. I don't think so.

Starting point is 00:05:16 I think this could be, as you mentioned, a steal for Denver if the board were to fall that way. Now, my question is, is this where Sean and George would be looking as well? They've talked so much about upgrading the trenches. is this player right here, you add him to the mix defensively. He fits in with the DNA of what you want defensively here. And he makes this unit better from a depth standpoint and has the potential to probably start in the next year or so. Yeah, and that's exactly what I would be thinking if I was George Peyton and Sean Peyton is, hey, this guy can help our.

Starting point is 00:05:45 I mean, first of all, the Broncos only have two guys on their defensive line right now that are over 300 pounds, which is not, it's not necessarily like a, you know, oh, well, you have to have as many 300 pounders as you can get. But I mean, they have gotten pushed around by the bigger and arguably stronger offensive line of the Buffalo Bills, which is all 300 plus pound dudes, the last two playoffs. And so you want to get stronger at the point of attack. You want to get more physical at the point of attack. And the Broncos don't necessarily have any athletes like this on the D line. I mean, Zach Allen, obviously, but I mean, he's not 335 pounds, right? So you get a guy like this. I kind of felt like the Broncos should take him, even if they had the third.

Starting point is 00:06:26 30th overall picks still, Cody. So I love the idea of Caleb Banks. I think that he could be perfect situationally for this team. The coaching is right. The Broncos believe in their ability to get the most out of guys with injury history. But in the third, okay, I spoiled it a little bit there. I traded up in this mock draft to get back into the third round, Cody. That's been a rumor that's been floating around there.

Starting point is 00:06:49 You said that you're kind of banking on that happening. That was your kind of flag in the ground moment earlier this offseason. I agree. And Mike Cliss, the Nine News Insider for the Broncos, he agrees as well. The Broncos are going to end up with at least two day two picks. So I think they're going to trade up into round three. I think they're going to use future capital as opposed to getting rid of both of their fourth rounders. So in my mock draft scenario, I had them trading pick number 108 and a future third.

Starting point is 00:07:15 Back to the dolphins again because the dolphins have four selections right now in the third round. I think they're going to be wanting to use one of those to maybe get back into the third or second round next year. we'll see what happens. So we trade picks, we move up, we get Oscar Delp, the tight end out of Georgia. That's the tight end that we're trading up to get here. I really like this guy, Cody. I mean, physically, he's 6.5, 245, ran in the 4s at the scouting combine. I think he had a 38 or 39 inch vertical jump.

Starting point is 00:07:44 Just outstanding elite athletic metrics, plays inline tight end, has athletic upside to be a past catching threat. I don't know. maybe not Brock Bowers. Maybe the great value Brock Bowers. We can use that joke since the Broncos are owned by Walmart. But I think trading up for a tight end and you and I are going to do a bonus episode later this week talking about that. It just makes the most sense to me to get a targeted player that you feel can be a future starter at this position.

Starting point is 00:08:12 And why not too, especially with Evan Ingram being on a one-year deal. You have Nate Atkins coming back on a one-year deal as well. You do have Adam Trotman, who's probably the longstanding guy that is going to be on this roster, or at least for the next couple of years. But you need to find a way to upgrade this position. And we all understand, too, Sean Payton hasn't historically used his tight ends here in Denver the way that most teams use them, right?

Starting point is 00:08:35 They rely a lot on their outside, pass catching receivers and tailbacks. But Sean has been saying they've been searching for a tight end who can do some of these things, who can move in space athletically. I mean, Georgia, for some reason, you know, we always talk about Iowa being tight-in. You, Georgia's produced some absolute dogs of this position, as well. And once again, you're not drafting into coming to be a day one starter for you.

Starting point is 00:08:57 There's nothing wrong with that. But can he have an impact right away? And as a contributor, as a role player, absolutely. I think you bring value right away to Denver alongside Evan Ingram the season and Troutman. That could probably be your top three lineup between these two, these three guys at this position. Yeah. And what do you think about the giving up, would you give up a future third to go get a guy like this? I mean, that's a, that's a hefty price to pay, but the Broncos did it for Riley Moss back in 2023, even when they didn't necessarily have a lot of draft picks to trade, right, going forward. I mean, and the roster, not even in as good of a spot. So I think it makes a lot of sense. Use that future capital, especially

Starting point is 00:09:34 with a compensatory pick from John Franklin Myers coming in the fourth round next year. I think use that capital. What do you think? Yeah, I'm, look, you know me, I'm on, I'm team, forget them picks. You know, if you, if you can add players, like, if you have to sacrifice a third, next year to be able to get a player that maybe will have a bigger role for you going forward. I'm on board with that. I think you need to do that because here's the thing. In the world of the draft, there's never a guarantee that a player is going to pan out, but you have to take chances.

Starting point is 00:10:03 The draft is when you do something like that. So taking a chance in round two with a guy like Caleb Banks, trading up to take a chance on a guy like Oscar Delp, especially in a year where the Broncos don't have as many picks as maybe they would like, they might be going for the meat of this draft versus adding guys in on the back. I'm sure they're going to keep maybe two of their three seventh round picks. It's always a possibility. But I think very much a similar approach to what we saw in 2023.

Starting point is 00:10:28 You traded up to the end of round two. You had a third round pick. You traded back into round three to get Riley Moss. You took three players within round two and round three to be able to maximize your roster. Very much Denver's going to be in that position right now. If they wanted to add some value, maybe some positions that are going to need to be replaced going at the next season, you want to do that in the draft and you want to build these players up in your system. I'm for it.

Starting point is 00:10:50 Yeah, I am too. I think that it's necessary, especially at the tight end position where you are targeting a future starter, right? You're not just saying, hey, we're going to take whoever falls to us at tight end. You want to get somebody that you believe, hey, this guy fits our culture. He fits our system. He fits maybe the vision for the Joker role that Sean Payton envisions. He can play in line. He can block.

Starting point is 00:11:12 He's going to do all those things for us. I think you want to make sure you get the guy. And I mean, the guy that you're targeting. at that spot. And I would love to take two tight ends, maybe two linebackers as well, Cody. I'm not opposed to that. But like you said, if they trade, start wheeling and dealing, trade those picks, you know, just have a focused draft. That's, that's most important to me. Be focused in this draft. Make sure you're getting guys who could start by 2027. And I think this guy can absolutely do that. Well, another selection that we have in our mock draft this week is

Starting point is 00:11:43 the Broncos taking a running back and upgrading this room for somebody who seems like a very good fit side of Sean Payton's office. We'll talk about Jonah Coleman. You're on today's episode of the show. Today's episode is brought to you by friends over there at Indeed. If you're dealing with workplace chaos, you've got deadlines stacking up. Your email inbox is overflung. And the one position that you have to feel is still sitting open. Well, when the pressure is on and you need the right higher, this is a job for sponsored jobs. Indeed, sponsored jobs helps you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for, the skills, the experience, the location. So you're not just hoping that the right candidate stumbles across your post. You're making sure

Starting point is 00:12:15 that they find it. And here's a stat that says at all folks. In the minute that 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 with less stress, less time, and more results. When you need the right person cut through the chaos, this is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. And listeners of this show, you're going to get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job. The premium status it deserves at Indeed.com slash podcast. Just go toindee.com slash podcast right now support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast.

Starting point is 00:12:52 Indeed.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. Today's show is also brought to you by our friends over there at Fandu. The NBA playoffs are here where every possession matters. Every matchup is magnified in every game can swing a series. And right now, Fandu is giving new customers a great way to get in on the action.

Starting point is 00:13:13 Here's what I like about it. You can bet just $5 and you could get $250 in bonus bets if you're, your first bet wins. You have the play in tournament coming up. You can apply that and that. And then you can have $250 in bonus bets for the NBA playoff slate where everything heats up. The app makes it easy to follow the actual player stats, trends, and matchups all in one place. And during the playoffs, that extra insight really matters when you're looking at stars,

Starting point is 00:13:37 role players, and key moments, especially with the Denver Nuggets, looking to make a playoff push here against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Make sure you head to Fandu.com to get started. if fan do play your game. Jonah Coleman might just be the ideal fit for the Denver Broncos at the running back position in the 2026 NFL draft. And we're going to tell you why on today's episode locked on Broncos. And all you every dayers out there, man, shout out mile high salute to every single one of you.

Starting point is 00:14:04 We appreciate you so much for tuning in every single day. And if you are in every day or already and you want to support the show in another way, I want to encourage you to join the Every Dayer Club where you can get some exclusive content and an ad-free version of the show. Lockdownbroncos.supercast.com or check out the show notes for the link for more information on that. And Cody, I did a whole bonus episode on kind of my guys for this draft. It's dangerous to get into that mode, right? I mean, the closer we get to the draft, the more attached we become to our favorite players and favorite prospects

Starting point is 00:14:36 and how they could help the Broncos immediately. The fans aren't always right. But, man, I think last year was a great example of maybe the team should have probably listened in a couple of instances at the very least, you know, but at the same time, the Broncos, they research these guys, they know who's going to be a great fit for their organization. They're already getting good looks at some of these prospects. Jonah Coleman is one guy that I think everybody's on the same page about. The Broncos have had him, I believe, for a top 30 visit, which doesn't mean he's on their

Starting point is 00:15:05 top 30 on their big board in case anybody's needing clarification on that. It just means you only get 30 of those visits to utilize. So he's one of them. They also met formally with him at the scouting combine. 5 foot 8, Cody, 222 pounds, and his skill set as a running back is exactly what the Broncos need, which I'm curious from your perspective. Before I even kind of get into what Jonah brings to the table, what would you say like, hey, the Broncos need this at the running back position this season.

Starting point is 00:15:34 And we'll talk about maybe how he could fit that. I think they need a physical runner. They need a guy who could be a little bit of a bruiser from time to time. And look, I understand you're not in a position. right now where you're going to necessarily have the ability to pick a player who's maybe the Latavius Murray type, right? But a guy who's 225 plus pounds, that guy, if you can just get him downhill, right? If that's a skill set that you want, I think Denver needs more of that in this offense, whereas Denver is trying to read and react in the run game, based on their run game scheme,

Starting point is 00:16:03 which we think is going to change. They just need a downhill guy that maybe, you know, he gets through initially the first few yards, gets past the linebacker and has breakaway speed. That would be nice. but I'd rather have a guy at times that you can just lower your shoulder and run through forward to get a first down. I mean, there were so many times last year where the Broncos couldn't convert in third and short situations. They were good on fourth and short because Bo Nix could just take it himself and use it on a QB sneak, but they need a back that can actually, you know he's going to touch it and he's going to get that first down. Jonah Coleman is that type of guy that can do it. Pass protection is something he also believes in as well.

Starting point is 00:16:38 That's one thing that he talked about is like the willingness to be able to be a producer and pass pro. And I think that's one thing that really kind of kept RJ Harvey off the field in certain passing down situations last year. And it wasn't because I don't think you just had a large enough sample size to be able to do it. That's why they put Tyler Badee in. But if you have a guy like a young guy and Jonah Coleman who can come in and embrace that role, he might actually be able to help the Broncos not only as a runner, but also in that pass pro department as well without necessarily tipping the hand of what Denver is going to do from a schematic or a personnel standpoint. And to that point, I mean, he has.

Starting point is 00:17:12 had six receptions last season of 20 plus yards, which was the third most among all FBS running backs, according to Dane Brugler's The Beast analysis. And listen to this. Physical angry runner with power between the tackles. Adequate short area cutting quickness. Trust his vision and doesn't run indecisively, patiently reads at the line. I mean, built to stop blitzers, senior captain, protects the ball with only two career fumbles. I mean, Cody, the more I read this guy's scouting report, the more I'm like, this is a no-brainer. He's a Bronco.

Starting point is 00:17:45 Like, get this guy in Denver. I could see even the Broncos spending a higher selection on him. This is a thin running back class. So what I say, you know, hey, they got to maybe attack the running back spot with one of their top three picks. I think that fourth round or maybe even moving up into the third is the sweet spot to do exactly that. Go get a big man or, you know, address an even bigger need because this is running back three, right? But I think Jonah Coleman has the upside to potentially be more than that in the future. So he's our fourth round pick in this mock draft, Cody.

Starting point is 00:18:16 Well, let's talk about the fifth round pick in this mock draft. I really get to talk about Justin Jefferson as a Denver Bronco. I mean, how many times did we see comments that fans want Justin Jefferson? Get Justin Jefferson. Go get him. Well, guess what? George Payton's going to make it happen, baby. I mean, fifth round pick here in this draft, Justin Jefferson, unfortunately, for all those other, you know, they're going to be buying jerseys right away, Cody.

Starting point is 00:18:40 This is Justin Jefferson, the linebacker from Alabama, not the wide receiver from the Minnesota Vikings. So kind of would be funny there, but the Broncos, they did a great job finding Q Robinson as a developmental prospect, special teams ace in the fourth round last year. I say go get one of his old teammates. Go get Justin Jefferson from Alabama. He'd be their linebacker picking this draft, huge upside athletic traits, great blitzer, but a core four special teams player, which is exactly what you want in the fifth round. Well, and the thing about this type of pick, too, is you've already got some background work probably done here.

Starting point is 00:19:16 As you're watching Alabama, and you're watching Q Robinson, you're also getting a read on this player. And I guarantee you that's exactly what happens with the Broncos College Scouts. They are looking at this player. They've already compiled probably all the tape. It wouldn't be a bad thing. And also, you're adding to a position where you desperately need depth that can maybe change and push that current room as is.

Starting point is 00:19:36 Now, we know that it's got Alex Singleton, Justin Sternad, obviously Jonah Ellis making that move to offball linebacker, Drew Sanders, and a make or break training camp for him, not a make a break year, a make or break training camp. And then everybody else behind them, undrafted paths more than likely. Now you go and you get a guy who Q Robinson could probably tell you all about him as well.

Starting point is 00:19:54 And this is the thing I like about how George and Sean work. They'll ask players that have played with certain prospects that are, you know, maybe they want a little more background on. They're going to ask what kind of teammate he is. Obviously, we know that Don does his background in terms of going out there and talking to coaches, as does George, if they want a little more clarification on a prospect. Why not at this point? I know it's not the flashy number 18 from Minnesota that Denver's adding to the mix here, but Denver needs to address their depth at this position. And now you have a guy who can maybe come in and challenge for some special team snaps right away starting here in training camp.

Starting point is 00:20:28 That's what I want to see, especially if the Broncos are going to bring in someone who's going to push Drew Sanders, who, unfortunately, hasn't had the ability to stay healthy. So I'm with it. I like to pick. I think it's a good ad in terms of depth in where Denver's at. And you never know. He might have a path as well where he can go through and develop and eventually maybe be a starter down the road, right? We're not saying that Denver needs to draft a guy here and this round to be a starter. But we've seen guys take that path before. Wesley Woodyard being a former guy who just contributed primarily on special teams for a handful of years, then became a captain, became a pretty good linebacker that started many games in his NFL career.

Starting point is 00:21:05 Why not look at that as a potential option? The latest average draft round. I'm trying to word that properly. But those positions where starters have the latest average draft round are linebacker, interior offensive line, tight end. So kind of lines up perfectly with what the Broncos need there. So I wouldn't mind it at all, Cody. And I think that, look, this is an option that this guy can play right away.

Starting point is 00:21:27 Special teams immediately can contribute there, but also has that future starter upside. I like that type of pick on day three. Broncos country, let's know how you feel on today's episode of the show of obviously the picks of Jonah Coleman and Justin Jefferson. Becoming up next to Broncos, they add more value to their special team's depth with their three seventh round picks. We break it all down here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode was brought to our friends over there at Turbo Tax. And it's tax time. But for a lot of us, the old way of doing taxes is a lot, trying to book an appointment that's

Starting point is 00:21:57 not the most convenient sitting in a waiting room with a stack full of papers, emailing back and forth and wondering if they really get your situation. but this year you're getting a major upgrade into it turbotax now has in-person locations nationwide where you can meet face-to-face with a real tax expert and your documents get uploaded straight to your turbotax app on the spot just like that you're done your turbotax expert works to get you every dollar you deserve while you get real-time notifications as you go about your day it's the relief of walking in a meeting a real person and walking out knowing your taxes are being handled right head to turbottax dot com slash local to find a story near you and book your appointment today's show is also brought to you our friends over there at Rugi it. The NHL playoffs are here where every shift matters. Every moment is intense and the pressure is at its highest. Colorado Avalentia looking to deliver in the postseason

Starting point is 00:22:43 this year. And just like performance matters on the ice, it matters off the ice too. That's where Ruggiat comes in. Rugeet offers treatments that are designed to help you get ready and stay ready when it matters. Their top option, Rugee it ready, combines clinically proven ingredients in a simple mint that dissolves

Starting point is 00:22:59 under your tongue. It works fast often in about 15 minutes and can last up to 36 hours. And they also offer go long, designed to help with both performance and control. It's all about confidence and feeling like yourself again. Head to Ruggia.com slash locked on NHL and get 15% off your ED treatment. That's RUG-IET.com slash locked on NHL for 15% off Ruggiat, performance medicine for men.

Starting point is 00:23:24 Anytime you can upgrade your special team side of the ball, you're going to take chance to do that. And for the Broncos this year with three picks in the seventh round, you have a chance to find at least a couple of guys out of this mix here that can offer that here going into 2026. Broncos country, appreciate you so much all the everydayers out there for making us your first listen. Sarah, let's get into round number seven of our mock draft, my friend. It's not a mock draft without Sarah taking an Iowa Hawkeyes player. Let us know who you went with with the Broncos first selection in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft.

Starting point is 00:23:57 he's a repeat, you know, appear on these mock drafts, right? I mean, he's made multiple appearances. Caden Weigant from Iowa, he's one of the, I would say probably the best return man in this entire draft, Cody, which to me, I felt like it was a little bit of a stretch, including him in the seventh round. Because of that, I think that he could go higher just because of his return abilities. But if the Broncos can get him in the seventh round, you get a guy that had six return touchdowns at Iowa.

Starting point is 00:24:27 the first college player since 2009 with a kickoff return touchdown, punt return touchdown, rushing touchdown, and receiving touchdown in the same season. So he's a gadget player offensively, not necessarily moving the needle in terms of his wide receiver skills at this point, but as a return man, which we know is of critical importance to the Denver Broncos, especially given the fact that Marvin Mims was essentially, you know, taken off of kick return duties late last year due to concussions. I mean, they need somebody out there that can help flip the field in that department or at

Starting point is 00:25:01 least take some pressure off of Marvin Mims if they're going to keep throwing Mims out there in the return game. So Caden Weegean, seventh round pick out of Iowa. I mean, to me, he's the ideal day three pick for the Denver Broncos other than Jonah Coleman. If they can get Coleman in the fourth and Weegean in the sixth or seventh via trade up or just taking him where they sit, that's that to me. I'd be just like sipping coffee on our draft show for that day on Saturday.

Starting point is 00:25:29 And it would just be an enjoyable occasion for all. So I would love to see it, Cody. Well, you double dipped with Iowa Hawkeyes here because then you had the Broncos with the next seventh round pick, taking Carson Shire to bring more value here on special teams, but also adding depth to you what you need defensively as well. Tell me about why you went with Shire here. Well, I think just like we've talked about with tight end, I'd love to see the Broncos double up at linebacker in this draft, right?

Starting point is 00:25:55 I mean, we know that they don't necessarily have much proven depth there. They have every reason to go after some of the guys that they believe can, A, contribute right away on special teams and B, develop into future starters. And when you watch Iowa's bowl game against Vanderbilt, Diego Pavia is kind of like a, you know, Johnny Mansell from Sheehan or T-Moot or something like that, you know, running around out there. You need a quarterback spy. Carson Shire was the guy who spied him in that game, and he was really good at it.

Starting point is 00:26:26 I mean, he just read, react, attack, one year starter for Phil Parker at Iowa, but a four-year contributor essentially on special teams and somebody who was really good in that phase of the game. So immediate core four special teams guy upside as a potential starter on defense down the line, and somebody who I think would work his way up there. But those skills, like same with Justin Jefferson. really good at blitzing, really good reading and reacting, needs work in other areas. But man, if you can get these two guys on day three to develop, I think that's a huge W for the Broncos.

Starting point is 00:27:00 With Jonah Ellis moving to off ball linebacker, you added another depth option at the edge rusher position here for Denver. Unfortunately, that would close the door on a Von Miller reunion for everyone in Broncos country. But tell us why you went with Zach Durfie with the last pick here that the Broncos have in seventh round. Well, I got a quick shout out because, I mean, he started his playing career in college at the University of Sioux Falls, Cody, which is my alma mater. So not only am I going with

Starting point is 00:27:27 the bias of the Iowa Hawkeyes, but I'm also going with a little bit of a bias there to the USF. Shout out to any fellow cougars listening to the show. But he obviously played last year at Washington and developed well. Sacks don't tell the whole story when it comes to his past rush abilities. I think pressure off the edge. Once again, special team's ability, a guy who worked his way up from he didn't even play sports his first year at college code he kind of one of the cooler stories in this draft we know the broncos like these project guys right we he's got basketball in his background could have played college basketball decided not to picks up the game of football just starts go get after the quarterback on hut right you know what i'm saying that's kind

Starting point is 00:28:09 of where he started things off and now he's developed into like a legit you know potential NFL draft pick i think you want to get him make sure other teams don't get him as an undraft drafted player. Zach Durfie is an interesting. He's going to be 24 as a rookie. I think that's kind of common among these day three picks. It's like 23, 24 years old. So I still think the upside is there for him to be a contributor sooner rather than later, even if he is on ice for the first year of his NFL career. Like I've said, this is a draft where, okay, maybe with Caleb Banks, Caleb Banks probably won't play a ton of special teams for Denver. I mean, it's always possible, especially if Jalen Carter and those guys played.

Starting point is 00:28:48 special teams field goal block for the Philadelphia Eagles. Yeah, why not? This is the draft for the Broncos where they're not necessarily adding day one starters. They are adding depth pieces, special teams contributors. That is where Denver's roster is at. And I feel like with this mock draft that you ran this week, I feel like you nailed it with getting upside, with getting players who might be able to contribute on offense and defense, maybe as a role player role in their first year. But if not, maybe next year, maybe two years from now, the Broncos have expressed belief in their player development system and they believe guys can come here and thrive. Even guys that maybe have some injury questions, they believe in their sports performance

Starting point is 00:29:25 team that they have there, led by Bo Lowry. So I think when you look at guys like Caleb Banks, you look at Oscar Delp, who dealt with some injuries as well. Their injury concerns probably aren't concerns for the Broncos coming into it, especially when they get the background on the medicals. They'll see if there's something that's chronic or something that is just a freak injury. That does happen. So we know at the end of the day, the Broncos is going to be.

Starting point is 00:29:47 be the ones making the picks. But mock drafts, they're fun, Broncos country. And we like to look at maybe some possible scenarios here. I don't think a lot of people had them taking Caleb Banks, but Sarah, the way I look at it, this would be a pretty big pickup for Denver to start off if this was how they kicked off the 2026 NFL draft, which is just 10 days away. Broncos country, we appreciate you so much. Let us know your thoughts on Sares, locked on Broncos, 1.0 mock draft that he put together next week, he and I are going to combine. We're going to team up, and we're going to also take a look at every pick as well. and we're going to make our final selections next week.

Starting point is 00:30:18 But we're going to have you covered all week long with bonus episodes on each of these prospects where you get a player profile, the pros and cons of the player, their ideal fit on day one, what their potential projected role could be. You're going to get all that this week on lockdown Broncos. We'll see you tomorrow for a brand new episode of the show.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - STEAL: Denver Broncos DRAFT Caleb Banks in 2026 NFL Mock Draft, Trade Up Into Round 3

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