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2019 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos have needs to address all over

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos could go a number of directions in the draft, and it all depends on what you believe about Joe Flacco.

The Denver Broncos enter the draft with both serious questions and talent. There are reasons to believe they can win games in the short-term, but the AFC West is no picnic and there are issues on both sides of the roster.

How will Vic Fangio fare in his first season, and what will John Elway give him to work with in the draft?

State Of The Team

Rebuilding. The Denver Broncos are in a rebuilding phase, but it’s not a typical one. John Elway does things his own way, and in eight years as general manager, it’s resulted in a pair of trips to the Super Bowl, once thanks to a league MVP season by Peyton Manning and once with an all-time defense.

Since the Broncos won Super Bowl 50, the offense has been too awful to even be carried by a defense, which has lost one piece after another over the last three years. Elway has now traded for Joe Flacco and was extremely active early in free agency after hiring Vic Fangio as his new head coach in January. The Broncos are rebuilding, but they undoubtedly expect to be winning games come September.

Total Draft Picks

The Broncos have eight picks heading into the draft:

  • 1st round: 10th overall
  • 2nd round: 41st overall
  • 3rd round: 71st overall
  • 4th round: 125th overall
  • 5th round: 148th overall
  • 5th round: 156th overall
  • 6th round: 182nd overall
  • 7th round: 237th overall

Top 3 Draft Needs

Right Guard: The Broncos’ weakest position offensively is the right guard position. 2018 starter Connor McGovern will be the team’s full-time center with Matt Paradis moving on to the Panthers, and currently, the Broncos have Elijah Wilkinson (who started some in 2018) and 2018 sixth-rounder Sam Jones to compete here.

Defensive Tackle: Perhaps more specifically, the Broncos need help at nose tackle. Zach Kerr was retained early in free agency and there’s always a chance Domata Peko could return, but Denver has to get younger here.

Linebacker: The Broncos released Brandon Marshall, their best coverage linebacker. Unless he is brought back before the draft, they need a linebacker that can drop into coverage when the need arises.

Top 3 Draft Targets

Decision Maker (Or Who To Blame If Things Go Wrong)

John Elway has been making the calls for the Broncos since 2011. In that time, he signed Peyton Manning and helped build the best offense (in terms of points scored) the NFL has ever seen as well as one of the most dominant defenses the league has ever seen. Elway had the best draft class of his tenure in 2018.”

Best/Worst Pick In Current Draft Slot

Historically, who was the best pick and the worst pick based on where the team is currently picking. 

Best Pick: Jay Cutler, QB, 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft

The Broncos have not had the 10th overall selection in the NFL Draft in the last three decades, so the best player selected with the closest pick is really the last franchise QB the Broncos chose in the Draft. Mike Shanahan, Ted Sundquist, and Mike Heimerdinger traded up after losing the AFC Championship game to pick Vanderbilt’s Jay Cutler, who made the Pro Bowl in Denver before enjoying a long NFL career, mostly spent with the Chicago Bears.

Worst Pick: Dan Williams, DL, 11th overall in the 1993 NFL Draft

Dan Williams turned out to be a pretty good player—after he spent four years in Denver with just four career sacks to his name. Williams emerged as a strong rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs in the final three years of his NFL career, racking up 23 sacks in 41 games for the Broncos’ arch rivals. The Broncos had the last laugh, though, winning their first two titles in team history after Williams’ departure, which was coupled with Denver’s acquisition of free agent Neil Smith, formerly of Kansas City.

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