The Denver Broncos might want to consider drafting a wide receiver with their first round pick instead of running back.
There are a lot of NFL mock drafts running the circuit and most of them have the Denver Broncos taking North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton in the first round. It has been overwhelmingly in that direction for a running back, but what happens if he goes early?
In ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s two-round mock draft last week, he addressed the Broncos’ needs but went about it via a wide receiver in the first round. And the reason he did that is because Hampton went to the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of the first round instead. Colston Loveland was also off the board and South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori went a pick early.
That left a board wide open of options, but none of them really at the two primary positions of need at running back and tight end. Kiper, instead, went with the top wide receiver on the board after two others went before him.
20. Denver Broncos
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaThis is one of the teams to watch for running backs, but Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton are both gone. I think the Broncos could — spoiler — wait until Day 2 and still get a legit starter. The other major way to help quarterback Bo Nix take the next step in Year 2 would be getting him another playmaking receiver. McMillan dominated in college, with 3,423 yards and 26 touchdown receptions over three seasons. He isn’t a blazer, but he can make tough catches with his body control and sure hands.
Consider this, too: Nix threw 22 red zone touchdown passes last season, tied for sixth in the NFL. Now there’s a chance he’d be throwing jump balls in the end zone to Courtland Sutton (6-foot-4), Evan Engram (6-foot-3) and McMillan (6-foot-4)? Look out, AFC West pass defenses.
Why I like this move so much is that McMillan is exactly the kind of playmaker that would open things up for Bo Nix in year two in ways that were not possible last season. Courtland Sutton is no spring chicken either nearing 30 and finding a young guy who can pick up the number one spot is going to be a big need probably as early as next season.
The other reason why wide receiver makes so much sense to me is that running back is such a deep position group in this years’ draft. That leads into Kiper’s second round pick for the Broncos: Ohio State’s running back Quinshon Judkins.
51. Denver Broncos
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio StateJaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are atop the Broncos’ depth chart at running back right now. Coach Sean Payton is going to be looking for his RB1 at the draft. Judkins transferred to Ohio State from Ole Miss, ending up with his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season despite splitting time with TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins also rushed for 45 career touchdowns, and he had back-to-back seasons with more than 20 catches out of the backfield.
We all saw Javonte Williams continue to struggle his return from that horrible injury and while Audric Estime looked good early on, he faded pretty heavily down the stretch and wasn’t even active for the Broncos’ playoff game. Judkins would instantly give Denver a guy who can carry the load along with Jaleel McLaughlin.
Frankly, I love this mock over any that has Denver taking a running back in the first round. I just feel like if its not Ashton Jeanty, then go get a dude in the second round for that position.
What do you think? Is wide receiver a position you’d get excited about if Denver drafts one in the first round?
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