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It was a season to forget for the Denver Broncos last season as the team finished last in the AFC West with a 5-12 regular season record. The team missed the postseason for the seventh straight season and their offense, led by the flashy offseason trade for quarterback Russell Wilson, finished dead-last in scoring with an average of 16.9 PPG.
The defense held up its own end of the bargain for as long as it could, eventually finishing 14th in defensive scoring (21.1 PPG allowed). Still, the underwhelming campaign meant an overhaul with the hiring of Sean Payton as head coach and the return of Vance Joseph in the defensive coordinator role.
After a reload in free agency, all eyes are toward the 2023 NFL Draft.
Significant free agency additions
- QB Jarrett Stidham
- RB Samaje Perine
- OT Mike McGlinchey
- LB Alex Singleton
- CB Tremon Smith
Significant free agency losses
- RB Chase Edmonds
- RB Marlon Mack
- DL Dre’Mont Jones
- DL DeShawn Williams
- CB Ronald Darby
- S Kareem Jackson
Denver Broncos 7-round mock draft
The Broncos will have to wait patiently as they are not on the clock until pick No. 67, so let’s dive in at a 7-round mock draft on Pro Football Network where trade offers are on the table.
67. CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL)
68. LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
108. DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
139. EDGE Isaiah McGuire, Missouri
195. OG Brandon Kipper, Oregon State
The secondary and interior linebacker positions were evident positions of need heading into the offseason, thus we addressed those weaknesses early on with the first two selections of Stevenson and Sanders. Patrick Surtain II is the clear gem of Denver’s secondary, but the loss of Ronald Darby to IR last year thrust the likes of rookie Damari Mathis into a starting role. Drafting for a CB here should bolter what was a lack of depth last season at the position.
Moving forward it was a means of adding depth to the front seven by drafting Keeanu Benton and Isaiah McGuire. With Dre’Mont Jones and DeShawn Williams both hitting free agency, Vance Joseph’s defense will make good use of some internal competition at the defensive line. No seismic additions made on offense as Sean Payton hopes to rejuvenate what was a promising arsenal on that side of the ball at the start of 2022.