2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Saquon Barkley

By Brad Weiss | Mar 14, 2018

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after making a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 18: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) gets ready to battle with Navy Midshipmen defensive end Tyler Sayles (91) during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen on November 18, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

45. . Offensive Guard. Notre Dame. Quenton Nelson. 5. player

The Denver Broncos figured to be bringing in a starting quarterback this offseason, and they did just that on Tuesday. The team signed Case Keenum to a new contract, bringing in the player who led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC title game last season. That shifts their focus to the offensive line with the fifth overall pick, and Quenton Nelson has to be the first offensive lineman off the board.

Nelson is an absolute freak, and he could be a Pro Bowl player as a rookie next season. He has that kind of brute force that you just do not see in a human being, and is going to be a dominant force at the guard position for years to come. The Broncos need to be better up front if they want to contend next season, and Nelson helps them do that right away.

Already this offseason, the Broncos have lost arguably their best defensive back in Aqib Talib. They cannot afford to be terrible up front again on offense in 2018, especially since C.J. Anderson is coming off a strong season last year. This Broncos team could be a favorite in a wide open AFC West next season, but the holes on the offensive line are glaring at this point.

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