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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Defense rules early

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) celebrates his teams victory following the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) celebrates his teams victory following the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
20

Forrest Lamp

OT, Western Kentucky

The Denver Broncos failed to make the playoffs in their Super Bowl defense last season, but they were not really expected to get back there. Quarterback Peyton Manning retired after the season, and the man who was supposed to take over, Brock Osweiler, signed with the Houston Texans. That left a group that included rookie first rounder Paxton Lynch, Trevor Siemian, and veteran Mark Sanchez.

Siemian ended up winning the job, and did a nice job down the stretch moving the ball. The problem with the Broncos was that their offensive line was terrible, and they need to get better up front this offseason if they are going to be competitive in the tough AFC West. The team has already brought in Melinik Watson from Oakland to add depth on the line, but grabbing a player like Forrest Lamp from Western Kentucky would be the play at No. 20.

Lamp did not allow a sack last season, playing perfect ball in nine games for the Hilltoppers. While he may not stay on the left side at the next level, he would certainly be a starter right out of the gate on the right side. The Broncos could not run the ball either last season, so you have to figure a better offensive line, combined with their elite defense, will lead to them possibly getting back to the playoffs in 2017.

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