The NFL scouting combine is a week away and the NFL draft is still two months away, but there are plenty of opinions as to who the Broncos should target with the No. 15 pick.
Does Denver pursue another receiver to give Drew Lock an additional weapon? How about an offensive tackle to replace Garett Bolles? A cornerback to potentially replace Chris Harris Jr.?
Here’s who various national draft experts, as of Feb. 20, are predicting will join the Broncos come draft day:
NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah | Updated Jan. 29
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy (4) of the Alabama Crimson Tide pulls in this touchdown reception against Jason Simmons Jr. (17) of the New Mexico State Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Jeremiah writes: “Jeudy would give the Broncos one of the most exciting collections of young skill-position players in the league. Adding him to a group that already includes Drew Lock, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant and Phillip Lindsay would strike fear into opposing defensive coordinators.” See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Mel Kiper Jr. | Updated Feb. 18
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Kiper writes: “It’s probably time to end the Garett Bolles era at left tackle in Denver; the 2017 first-round pick led the league in holding penalties in each of the past three seasons, and he hasn’t gotten better. Jones, a four-year starter for the Cougars, is rising after dominating at Senior Bowl practices. He has the potential to be an All-Pro left tackle. The Broncos also have needs in the secondary and could lose a couple starters along the defensive line to free agency.” See the full mock draft.
Last: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
ESPN | Todd McShay | Updated Feb. 3
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the LSU Tigers in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 28, 2019 in Atlanta.
McShay writes: “Lamb is the best available player still on the board. He gets great separation and then creates yardage after the catch. Opposite Courtland Sutton — who continues to look like the real deal — Lamb brings another piece of the offensive puzzle to Mile High.” See the full mock draft (subscription).
Last: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
NFL.com | Maurice Jones-Drew | Updated Feb. 12
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) of the Oklahoma Sooners carries the ball against Derek Stingley Jr. (24) of the LSU Tigers during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 28, 2019 in Atlanta.
Jones-Drew writes: “Courtland Sutton is great and all, but Drew Lock needs more weapons. Lamb is a big-time playmaker.” See the full mock draft.
The Denver Post | Phillip Heilman | Updated Feb. 13
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III (11) of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Deuce Wallace (25) and Jacques Boudreaux (59) of the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 29, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Heilman writes: “Elway has never drafted a first-round receiver, but the Broncos need more playmakers. Listed at 6 feet, 190 pounds, Ruggs caught 40 passes for 746 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior when he was part of a crowded Crimson Tide offense. He will need to improve his technique against press coverage, but his hands are strong and he quickly reaches top speed, making him a prime option to pair with Courtland Sutton.” See the full Broncos seven-round mock draft.
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Sports Illustrated | Kevin Hanson | Updated Feb. 18
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III of the Alabama Crimson Tide pulls in this touchdown reception against the Auburn Tigers in the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium on Nov. 30, 2019 in Auburn, Ala.
Hanson writes: “Perhaps the Broncos draft an offensive tackle like Georgia’s Andrew Thomas here, but in this mock they go in a different direction to help second-year quarterback Drew Lock. Courtland Sutton had a breakout sophomore campaign (1,112 yards) for the Broncos and Ruggs offers a complementary skill set to Sutton’s. Few players can match the elite sub-4.3 speed of Ruggs, who scored on one of four career touches at Alabama.” See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Chad Reuter | Updated Feb. 5
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a pass against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala.
Reuter writes: “Drew Lock gets a speedy partner on offense to make up for the loss of Emmanuel Sanders, who requested and received a trade last season.” See the full three-round mock draft.
Reuter’s other Broncos picks through the first three rounds:
- Second round, 46th pick: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
- Third round, 77th pick: Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State
- Third round, 83rd pick: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
- Third round, 95th pick: K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
USA Today | Luke Easterling | Updated Feb. 17
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III (11) of the Alabama Crimson Tide pulls in this reception against Ray Buford Jr. (1) of the New Mexico State Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Easterling writes: “Drew Lock already has his big, physical pass-catcher in Courtland Sutton, but he needs a big-play target with the speed to challenge defenses over the top and after the catch. Ruggs is a burner who can score every time he touches the ball, and would be a steal here after he runs as fast as we expect at the NFL Scouting Combine.” See the full four-round mock draft.
The Broncos’ other mock picks:
- Second round, No. 46 overall: Prince Tega Wanagho, OT, Auburn
- Third round, No. 77 overall: Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
- Third round, No. 83 overall: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
- Third round, No. 95 overall: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
NFL.com | Charley Casserly | Updated Feb. 18
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III (11) of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter after catching a pass behind D.Q. Thomas (12) of the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 21, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Casserly writes: “Denver has many needs, but speed at receiver is high on the list.” See the full mock draft.
The Athletic | Dane Brugler | Updated Feb. 4
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III (11) of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Aaron Brawley (92) of the Citadel Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 17, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Brugler writes: “The Broncos have a budding No. 1 wideout in Courtland Sutton, but adding more speed opposite him would help open the offense. Ruggs has world-class speed and his ability to shift gears puts cornerbacks in a blender, creating passing windows downfield.” See the full mock draft (subscription).
SB Nation | Dan Kadar | Updated Feb. 17
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after this touchdown reception against the New Mexico State Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 07, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Kadar writes: “Broncos fans around the internet are in love with Ruggs, and this mock continues to give them what they want. It just makes sense sending Ruggs to Denver. Quarterback Drew Lock has an impressive arm, and he can push the ball deep to a speedy receiver like Ruggs.” See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Chris Trapasso | Updated Feb. 19
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Boulder. Colorado won 16-13.
Trapasso writes: “Shenault was born to play in a West Coast offense, and that’s Broncos new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s scheme. If he can stay healthy, he can be a star thanks to his size, YAC-skills, and pure speed.” See the full mock draft.
Last: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
NFL.com | Lance Zierlein | Updated Jan. 29
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Andrew Thomas of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrate’s following the Georgia Bulldogs win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 52-7 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Nov. 30, 2019 in Atlanta.
Zierlein writes: “Thomas doesn’t always look pretty doing it, but guys get blocked. He’s an instant upgrade over Garett Bolles and is a tough competitor.” See the full mock draft.
Pro Football Focus | Michael Renner | Updated Feb. 11
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs (74) of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with teammates after their match-up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Nov. 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Renner writes: “If Denver wants to give Garrett Bolles another year to prove himself, Wirfs would be the perfect in-between lineman who can start at guard initially before eventually moving to tackle. Ronald Leary’s $9-plus million cap hit looks like a forgone conclusion to come off the books with his injury history.” See the full mock draft.
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