With three days until the 2016 NFL Draft takes place in Chicago, predicting what the Denver Broncos will do with the 31st pick in the first round is tough. After losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan in free agency, the Broncos could certainly use another defensive weapon. Bolstering the offensive line is definitely a priority as well.

Denver has taken steps to addressing both of these crucial needs already with the offensive line signings of LT Russell Okung and RT Donald Stephenson, and the defensive line signings of DT Phil Taylor and DE Jared Crick. Will the Broncos go further by using their first selection on one of these position groups?

Quarterback questions are definitely still in the air, so Denver could ultimately draft one in the first round, but with Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch all presumably off the board, and Mark Sanchez on the roster, there is no need to reach on a QB that probably will not play this season anyways.

Peter King of the MMQB, in his most recent mock draft has the Broncos selecting Jarran Reed, a defensive tackle out of Alabama. I love this selection and believe Reed would be an excellent fit in Denver. Although defensive tackle is not the most pressing need, selecting at 31, John Elway will most likely try and get the best value available.

King points out Reed has more of an impact in the run game, than pass rushing situations, but Reed is an all around solid player. Listed at 6’3 and 307 pounds, Reed, simply put is a beast. Reed is incredibly strong and is arguably the best run stopper in this draft. His ability to track the ball and close the running lanes accordingly would make him a great fit in the Broncos 3-4 alignment.

Related Here are our top 10 Denver Broncos draft picks since 2010

Ultimately Reed probably would be a first and second down type player on the Denver defense due to his lack of pass rushing abilities, but with the Broncos current depth on the outside at linebacker with Von Miller, DaMarcus Ware, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett, increasing inside depth is more crucial this weekend.

Behind Sylvester Williams, Reed could develop into a nice piece in Wade Phillip’s defense, and would be a solid selection. Reed played against some of the best rushing attacks at the collegiate level in the SEC. Consistently he was an impact player for a very talented Alabama defense that gave up just under 76 yards rushing per-game.

If Denver is going to replicate the same type of defensive success in 2016, it is going to take all 11 players on the field. Players like Reed make an immediate impact and increase the overall defensive depth. After snagging Shane Ray in the first round last year and Bradley Roby the year before, Elway has shown the ability to draft quality players late in the first round. Drafting Reed would continue that trend.