Denver Broncos: 7-round 2016 NFL mock draft

3 of 7

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) attempts to pass the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2nd half game of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 2—Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State

There’s no prospect in the entirety of the 2016 NFL Draft that is quite as divisive or quite as befuddling as former Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg. It wasn’t long ago that everyone was expecting him to leave Happy Valley and be in the position that Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are in for this 2016 NFL Draft, especially with how special of a talent he looked like after his freshman season.

Instead what happened was that Hackenberg struggled in a mighty, mighty way in his final two seasons at Penn State. Sure, those Nittany Lions team weren’t exactly giving Hackenberg a murderer’s row of skill position players to work with, but the quarterback proved time and again to be lackluster in his position and trailed off tremendously after that first year.

What’s still undeniable about Hack is his physical tools. He can throw the ball an infinite length and has the prototypical build of an NFL quarterback. The questions with him revolve around whether or not NFL coaching will help him get the game from a mental sense and become a better leader and decision-maker. Though it’s a risk, I see the Broncos waiting until Round 2 to pick a quarterback as Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook I see going off way too early. As such, Hackenberg could be the best option and they have to take it.

Next: Round 3

Home/Denver Broncos