Denver Broncos 2022 NFL Draft Projections, Positions Needed & Mock Draft

Denver has been one of the rumored landing spots for Green Bay Packers disgruntled quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but that isn’t set in stone. The Broncos didn’t do anything to quash those rumors when they hired Nathaniel Hackett to replace Vic Fangio as head coach. Hackett, 42, was Rodgers’ offensive coordinator in Green Bay from 2019-2021.

Whatever the plan, Denver desperately needs to get the franchise pointed in the right direction. The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since they won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning in 2015. Denver will have plenty of room to maneuver. Barring any more salary cuts, the Broncos have roughly $39 million at their disposal, placing them well within the top 10 in the NFL.

Players Leaving the Denver Broncos

Veteran Teddy Bridgewater proved to be a solid quarterback for Denver last season. Bridgewater passed for 3,052 yards, but only 18 touchdown passes against seven interceptions. However, the Broncos are desperate to bring in a quarterback they feel will make them a Super Bowl contender, and Bridgewater may not be the guy.

Bridgewater is looking to be a full-time starter and that will likely happen somewhere other than Denver. Safety Kareem Jackson led the Broncos in tackles last season, but is 33 years old. Denver nearly lost him last season, but was able to restructure his contract. If Jackson is seeking more money, he may have to go elsewhere.

Broncos’ running back Melvin Gordon III may also be leaving in free agency. He was made more expendable by the development of Javonte Williams, who had a strong rookie season. Paton says the team would like to bring Gordon back, but with his production — 918 yards and eight touchdowns — there may be a market in free agency.

Positions Needed by the Denver Broncos

Denver’s biggest need may be on defense. The Broncos produced 36 sacks last season, with three players recorded more than five. Defensive end Shelby Harris led the team with six sacks, while defensive end Dre’Mont Jones contributed 5½ and outside linebacker Malike Reed had five.

Denver’s defense was solid overall, only allowing 18.9 points per game, third-best in the NFL. The Broncos, however, would also like to add help at linebacker to help limit the opposition run game. Denver’s opponents rushed for 1,892 yards and nine touchdowns last season, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

The most obvious and glaring is a need for a quarterback. Denver has been mired in a search for a quarterback since Manning retired. Getting a player that it can either develop or slide into the lineup will be paramount to the Broncos’ success or failure.

Denver Broncos Mock Draft

After finishing 7-10, the Broncos will have plenty of chances to add solid players in this year’s draft due to picks they’ve accumulated from trades. In the first round, Denver would be able to get better at linebacker by drafting Michigan’s 6-foot-5, 250 pound David Ojabo. Objabo, who finished tied for 11th nationally with 11 sacks, was a monster for the Wolverines.

Ojabo also forced five fumbles and recorded 35 tackles, 24 of which were solos. A native of Nigeria, Ojabo helped Michigan reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. In the second or third round, Denver could add Southern Utah tackle, Braxton Jones. Jones, a 6-foot-5, 306-pound, the lineman was a first-team all-Big Sky player for Southern Utah. He was also named to the Associated Press All-American team.

Denver, which has two second-round picks, could also look to add Georgia defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt. Wyatt, a 6-foot-3 defensive lineman, played a big role in the Bulldogs winning their first national championship since 1982. He recorded seven tackles for loss, 2½ sacks and forced a fumble.

The Broncos could also look to pursue depth in the secondary, perhaps with cornerback Trent McDuffie out of Washington or Baylor safety Jalen Pitre. McDuffie defended six passes, but didn’t intercept any passes or force any fumbles. McDuffie had a sack. Pitre, on the other hand, had many big plays for the Bears last season.

In addition to intercepting two passes and forcing two fumbles, Pitre defended seven passes and recorded 3½ sacks. He had 75 tackles, 56 of which were solo. Check the Broncos’ NFL Draft odds and NFL Odds.

2022 NFL Draft Event Information

• Date: Thursday, Apr. 28 (Round 1) | Friday, Apr. 29 (Rounds 2-3) | Saturday, Apr. 30 (Rounds 4-7)
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (Thursday) | 7 p.m. ET (Friday) | Noon ET (Saturday)
• Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, NV
• TV Channel: ABC | ESPN | NFL Network
• NFL Draft Live Streaming: NFL Game Pass

2022 NFL First-Round Draft Order (with 2021 records)

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Detroit Lions
3. Houston Texans
4. NY Jets
5. NY Giants
6. Carolina Panthers
7. NY Giants (via Bears)
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
10. NY Jets (via Seahawks)
11. Washington Commanders
12. Minnesota Vikings
13. Houston Texans (via Browns)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)
17. LA Chargers
18. New Orleans Saints
19. Philadelphia Eagles
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
21. New England Patriots
22. Green Bay Packers (via Raiders)
23. Arizona Cardinals
24. Dallas Cowboys
25. Buffalo Bills
26. Tennessee Titans
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28. Green Bay Packers
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via 49ers)
30. Kansas City Chiefs
31. Cincinnati Bengals
32. Detroit Lions (via Rams)

Teams with no First Round Pick

• San Francisco 49ers
• Chicago Bears
• Denver Broncos
• Cleveland Browns
• Indianapolis Colts
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Rams
• Miami Dolphins