One of my favorite tools to use as a mock drafter is The Draft Network's Mock Draft Machine, it's super useful to test out semi-realistic draft scenarios, and see how certain draft selections affect how the big board develops for the Broncos (the most impactful I've seen are the New York Giants at 4, and Arizona Cardinals at 8.) I've gotten a lot of unique scenarios, some of which I've tweeted about, but this specific mock draft was my favorite to talk about. I designed a free agency scenario around it, and then we can do a deep dive about each pick.

Part I - The Free Agents

#1 - Cut Joe Flacco & Ronald Leary/Re-sign Justin Simmons, Casey Kreiter, Jeremiah Attaochu, and all RFA & ERFA

Both Flacco and Leary were huge disappointments this year and also spent time injured, the cap space we can get for cutting them just makes too much sense. Simmons is a given, Kreiter has been a good long snapper, no point in trying to replace him. Attaochu was a good depth option for us, and the rest of the RFA & ERFAs would be really cheap depth options, no point in letting them go.

#2 - Sign Byron Jones

Again, about establishing that identity, getting Byron Jones in and oh boy, the Broncos could have a super real shot at having the best secondary in the NFL. We've heard a lot about Jones to the Broncos, so I won't hammer it in more, but Jones and these young secondary pieces would be football heaven.

Byron Jones has been targeted 125 times over the past two years - allowed 65 receptions (52%) and 806 yards (6.4 YPA)



5 TD’s allowed, 19 PBU’s



27 years-old, former 1st rounder, 2nd-team all-pro (2018), 100 percentile athlete (RAS)



You DO NOT let that player walk in free agency — Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) February 14, 2020

#3 - Sign D.J. Reader and Leonard Williams

Since defensive line wasn't addressed very much in the draft, I went in hard after the defensive line in free agency. Reader is one of my favorite fits for us, he could fill the role Akiem Hicks had a lot of success in Chicago. He's very versatile and could line up at all spots of our line. Williams hasn't lived up to his draft spot, but he's been one of the best players in the NFL at getting pressure in at opposing QBs.

#4 - Sign Case Keenum, B.J. Finney, and Chris Thompson

Two depth options from Washington. Case Keenum had a hugely successful season in Shurmur's system, and would be a great mentor for Drew. If he wants to re-sign with us, Keenum would be the best option for us at that backup spot. Thompson has work as a receiving back, and that's something we need for cheap, and we can get that from Thompson. B.J. Finney is a great depth option for us since his work with Munachak in Pittsburgh.

Part II - The Draft

#15 - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Thomas was the last of the truly elite prospects available for the Broncos at 15 here, and I'm sure the Broncos would be running to the podium for him. Thomas was a three year starter for the Bulldogs, and would get work immediately as Guard his rookie year, and possibly replace Bolles year 2. Building around Lock starts with improving the offensive line, getting a potential top 10 tackle in the NFl right around the midpoint is nothing to scoff at.

Andrew Thomas, OT, #Georgia:



• Wide body w/vice grips for hands

• Off the charts I.Q. and savvy (++)

• Bruiser in the running game

• Powerful – Leaves dents in defenders

• Reliable pass protector

• Downhill movement generator (+)pic.twitter.com/Sei9yMVx90 — Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) February 14, 2020

#46 - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

And if we really want to build around Lock, surrounding him with premium weapons is a must. Reagor is the only guy in this draft class with a real shot to usurp Ruggs for the fastest 40 time, and the depth of this class kicked him down to us. Reagor would work for us in the Z Receiver role as a compliment to Sutton.

Here is the list of ball-carriers in the NFL that had a faster top speed than Jalen Reagor in 2019:



..... No one. https://t.co/1ppHCcwBN2 — Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 17, 2020

#77 - Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

Bryce Hall was working his way towards being a first round pick, but an unfortunate injury ended his season early. Hall had a lot of success in Zone coverage, and is a very physical, smart tackler. I know we spent a pretty penny on Byron Jones in free agency, but he is 28. Getting younger at corner is not something to scoff at. He could turn into a major steal for the Broncos if he's available in the third.

#83 - Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

Dantzler was just sitting there at 83, and I couldn't resist. Dantzler is a lengthy, fluid athlete, if he spends his rookie year learning can develop into a great starter for us. Hall and Dantzler could give us our future duo at corner, and getting both of them in the third, would be a fantastic core for the future.

Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler has fantastic length and match-and-mirror ability. He's a fluid athlete that can stick with his opposition despite his narrow build.pic.twitter.com/8pQXDZKqZw — Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) February 18, 2020

#95 - Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State

I think Todd Davis remains our starter for this year, but the Broncos would be wise to start looking for a successor. Davis-Gaither is undersized, but he's also a competitive, fluid, versatile player at his position. He could get his work in as a special teamer, and contribute in a bigger role in the future.

#108 - Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

Three defensive backs?! Yes, three defensive backs. As far as I'm concerned, Chinn is what you look for in a modern defensive back, he's extremely versatile, as he can line up at safety, cornerback, and Linebacker. He's got a lot of upside, and can thrive in Fangio's scheme.

I don't think it's excessive. Depth behind Jackson and Simmons is a question (and Fangio teams tend to draft safeties) and if Harris is gone, you're counting on two guys who wound up on IR, Isaac Yiadom, and Davontae Harris.



It looks like you played the board well. — Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) February 20, 2020

#127 - Leki Fotu, DL, Utah

Every team needs a big man on their defensive line, and Fotu might be one of the best big men in the draft. Fotu needs a lot of work to polish up his game, and would be best served as a rotational piece, but by year 2 or 3 he can be a huge threat on our line.

#161 - Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State

Criminally underrated by TDN, Ismael offers some versatility on the line at both guard, and center. Ismael had a lot of success in Pass-Pro, which the Broncos would be using in Shurmur's system. Another player that could blossom into a starter in the future, maybe even year 1?

#214 - Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee

Jenning's isn't a burner at receiver, what he is however, is a big time play potential player. Give him the ball and he will fight for those extra yards. He has a few character concerns, but their minor, and given his huge untapped potential, he is well worth the 7th round pick.

Part III - What I Loved and Didn't About the Draft

Loved - Those Defensive Backs

I loved the value for every single one of them, and as the wise Nick Kendell keeps preaching: "Drafting to enhance a strength and further establishing an identity is just as viable as drafting to bolster a weakness." Hall, Dantzler, and Chinn would give us one helluva identity for our secondary.

Didn't - Five Defensive Picks In a Row

While I love the value for each of those picks, it is questionable to have five of them in a row. RB got completely ignored, and for the offense to take a huge step forward, Thomas and Reagor would need to contribute immediately.

Loved - Overall Value

I never felt like I was making a stretch for a player, fantastic value all around. A lot of the needs filled themselves naturally.

Didn't - Defensive Line & Running Back Got Neglected

Both of these are big needs for the Broncos, and both of them weren't addressed as well as I'd like. I like Leki Fotu, but he's more of a nose tackle than defensive end. This would have to be addressed aggressively in free agency.

Part IV - The Depth Chart

Offense

QB - Drew Lock/Case Keenum/Brett Rypien

RB - Phillip Lindsay/Royce Freeman/Chris Thompson

WR1 - Courtland Sutton/Tim Patrick

WR2 - Jalen Reagor/Diontae Spencer

WR3 - DaeSean Hamilton/Jauan Jennings/Juwann Winfree

TE - Noah Fant/Jeff Heuerman/Troy Fumigali/Andrew Beck

FB - Andy Janovich/Andrew Beck

LT - Garrett Bolles

LG - Dalton Risner

C - Patrick Morris/Keith Ismael

RG - Andrew Thomas

RT - Ju'Wan James

OL - B.J. Finney/Elijah Wilkinson/Jake Rodgers/Calvin Anderson

Defense

WLB - Von Miller/Jeremiah Attaochu

ILB - Alexander Johnson/Josey Jewell

DE - Leonard Williams/Dre'Mont Jones

NT - Mike Purcell/Leki Fotu

DE - D.J. Reader/DeMarcus Walker

ILB - Todd Davis/Akeem Davis-Gaither

SLB - Bradley Chubb/Malik Reed

CB - Byron Jones/Bryce Hall/De'Vante Bausby/Davontae Harris

CB - Bryce Callahan/Cameron Dantzler/Isaac Yiadom/Duke Dawson

NB - Bryce Hall/Jeremy Chinn

FS - Justin Simmons/Trey Marshall

SS - Kareem Jackson/Jeremy Chinn

Special Teams

K - Brandon McManus

P - Colby Wadman

LS - Casey Kreiter

RS - Diontae Spencer

Part V - Areas to Improve for 2021

#1 - Either Interior O-Line or Tackle

Depending on if Munachak believes Thomas can transition over to left tackle in year 2, the Broncos would be wise to find a veteran option to serve as a stop gap for him if they're not comfortable with him there. If they do like him there, that you should be looking for someone to replace him on the interior, and center could need an upgrade depending on how Morris and Ismael perform there.

#2 - Inside Linebacker

Todd Davis has performed admirably for the Broncos for a while, but looking for his successor is crucial. Davis-Gaither may be that, but he isn't guaranteed to succeed, a big name Linebacker would take this defense to the next level.

#3 - Running Back

Lindsay has obviously been performing well, but Freeman was a huge disappointment here. Chris Thompson isn't a player we'd be signing to take over that role. Looking for a workhouse back to compliment Lindsay would be good to look for. And just in time to, a lot of the great 2017 Running Back draft class would be hitting free agency.

Part VI - Final Thoughts

I was a huge fan of this mock draft and offseason. I felt I hit a lot of the real sweet spots for the draft, and got good value in free agency. But I want to hear what you think about it?