On draft day, the Broncos can’t afford a wide receiver in round one
Dec 19, 2019, 6:31 AM
With the Broncos being eliminated from the playoffs after their loss to the Chiefs, it now means that it’s time to start looking at the NFL Draft.
The 2020 NFL Draft might have the greatest wide receiver class in NFL history, but the Broncos can’t fall into that trap of taking one in the first round. It is tempting for Denver if they’re sitting around the No. 10 to 15 range and some of those playmakers are sitting right there, but the Broncos have bigger needs.
Denver needs to find a way to protect their quarterback and that starts with the offensive line. John Elway looks to have hit a home run with Dalton Risner playing left guard, but Denver also needs to find another guard, center and tackle. Until the Broncos find a way to protect Drew Lock, this team will never see the postseason.
The Broncos are also in a situation in which they can lose Chris Harris Jr. or even Justin Simmons to free agency this offseason. Denver can place the franchise tag on one of them, but it looks more like they will do it with Simmons instead of Harris. Don’t forget that sources have said that Denver can’t negotiate with Harris during the season.
If the Broncos are unable to bring back Harris and/or Simmons, they can look into the 2020 NFL Draft for replacements.
In Todd McShay’s first mock draft of the year, he currently has five cornerbacks going in the first round, as well as two safeties. Both of these positions are going to be more important than a wide receiver because of the division Denver plays in.
The Broncos are going to need to find a way to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense for years to come. Who’s not to say that Denver can build a “No Fly Zone 2.0?”
Heading into the offseason, Denver will be looking for a true No. 2 and No. 3 wide receiver, but the Broncos already have one in house. Tim Patrick is a restricted free agent and the Broncos should be able to bring him back for cheap and not overpay for him.
The Broncos also need experienced weapons if they want to get back into the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50. Denver will have a chance to go into free agency and add another pass catcher or two with players like Rashard Higgins, Devin Funchess or even Robby Anderson. These are players that don’t get all the recognition and publicity like Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones and Mike Evans, but are more valuable to their teams.
Since the Broncos are going to have many holes to fill entering the NFL Draft, and with McShay having eight wide receivers going in the first round of his mock draft, the last thing Denver needs to worry about is finding players at the most-dependent position on the field. Don’t forget that you don’t need and can’t overpay elite wide receivers to win a Super Bowl.
Denver must build their offensive and defensive lines, as well as their secondary first. That’s the fasted way to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
