2018 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos 7-round mock

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 28: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) battles with North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive tackle Ben Frazier (90) during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the North Carolina State Wolfpack on October 28, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4 of 5

October 15, 2016: Stanford Cardinals cornerback Quenton Meeks (24) returns a interception for a touchdown during the NCAA football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Stanford Cardinals at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Broncos land their second “Quenton” of the draft with the selection of Stanford defensive back Quenton Meeks in the third round.

There is some speculation that Aqib Talib is on the trade block in order to make financial room for a run at a quarterback, so I would expect the Broncos to add his potential replacement within the first few rounds of the 2018 draft.

Meeks (6-foot-1 and 198 pounds) was a second-team All Pac-12 selection in his final year with the Cardinal, racking up 65 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass defenses. Meeks has great length and is technically-sound, just as you would expect from a Stanford defensive back. He’s got just the type of physicality that could help to offset the potential loss of Talib.

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are both slated to hit free agency following the 2019 season, meaning the Broncos will eventually be in the market for some new threats in the passing game. UCF wideout Tre’Quan Smith is one of the most underrated receivers in this class and could be a steal for Denver in the fourth round.

Smith has freakish length for a receiver of his size (6-foot-1 and 198 pounds) and does a great job at using that length to high-point the football. He doesn’t have the quick-twitch explosiveness that would normally vault a player like him into the first and second rounds, but he’s a nice developmental prospect with the ceiling of a WR2 to add to the Denver offense.

Home/Denver Broncos