Typically, this article would preview what we need to see from the team this week. However, with all due respect to the Cleveland Browns, the keys to the game for the Broncos this week are relatively simple – trick Jameis Winston into a few turnovers, score points on offense, and don’t fall for the trap game. Instead, running through a way-too-early Denver Broncos mock draft seems much more fun.
Given the team’s success this year, the entire dynamic of the draft has changed from what was expected this offseason. Fans are no longer hoping that we lose out for a better draft pick to save the franchise. Instead, they are looking forward to reloading in the offseason and adding even more talent to an already-competitive roster.
For this mock, it will be assumed that the Broncos make the playoffs as the seventh seed and lose in the Wild Card, finishing with the 20th pick in the first round.
*Trade*: Denver Broncos Send Pick 20 to the Philadelphia Eagles for picks 28 and 75
The dream scenario for the Broncos would be an explosive offensive weapon such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty or Penn State tight end Tyler Warren falling into their lap at 20. However, it would be a shock if either lasted that long, as both are already generating top-15 buzz and could solidify their draft stock with good pre-draft processes.
While it would be a rare occurrence for Sean Payton, the smart move may be to move back and collect extra draft capital, as the team could really use more dart throws to add cheap young talent. Furthermore, the late-first round is expected to be a sort of “sweet spot” in this class where teams can get solid value on pass catchers, defensive backs, and defensive linemen.
The Eagles, in this instance, move up for Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams, giving Vic Fangio that Bradley Chubb-like skillset that he has had on his defensive lines since 2019.
Round 1, Pick 28: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
The first selection in this Denver Broncos mock draft may be a bit of a shock for many people reading, as Ayomanor has not yet generated much first-round buzz in the mock draft community. However, for all of the Broncos-Buffs fans scanning along, you almost certainly remember this name and, therefore, understand the hype.
ELIC AYOMANOR OVER TRAVIS HUNTER IN OT 😱#SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/5odnyQrttn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 14, 2023
Ayomanor began generating buzz in the draft community after his breakout performance against Colorado in 2023, where he exploded with 13 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Many wondered if his performance was just an anomaly at the time, but he has silenced the haters since then and has put together a great season so far. Plus, he will likely test well at the combine, which should see him shoot up boards.
Ayomanor is well-built at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds and has the explosive traits to become the perfect Z-receiver for the Broncos offense. He possesses excellent speed and is a true playmaker for the Cardinal, having already brought in many highlight-reel catches in 2024. He can track the ball well downfield and is dynamic after the catch, something Broncos fans have longed for this season.
As explosive as he is, Ayomanor is more than just a big-play threat. He has a quick release off the line of scrimmage, making him a viable option for the slant concepts that Sean Payton has repeatedly tried calling this year, to limited success. He can help Nix execute the quick game and would be a seamless fit in the Josh Reynolds role from this year.
Elic Ayomanor in Day 2 of the draft would be HUGE for the #Panthers
— IAmWestsideFetti 💙🖤🤟🏾 (@4MR_Fetti) October 23, 2024
pic.twitter.com/x9Ni5qzBjr
But if he’s such a tantalizing prospect, how come he’s garnered so little first-round buzz?
Some areas of his game remain underdeveloped. For starters, he must get stronger at the catch point, as he does not always leverage his frame enough to come down with contested catches. There will also be questions about his route tree, as most of his targets in Stanford’s simplistic offense have come from slants and go routes. He doesn’t have the most flexible hips in the world, marking potential limitations in this area. There has also been a history of concentration drops, although he appears to have cleaned them up so far this season.
Overall, there is still a ton to like about Ayomanor, as most of his faults can be corrected with good coaching and development. He could step in next to Courtland Sutton and Devaughn Vele and bring a new explosive skillset into the fold, instantly elevating the Denver Broncos’ receiving corps.
Round 2, pick 52: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Much like Ayomanor, Gunnar Helm has not generated much early-round buzz… yet. However, Helm will likely begin shooting up boards once the pre-draft process begins, as he is arguably the most complete tight end in the entire class.
Once the NFL Draft comes along, he will likely be slotted somewhere similar to where he lands in this Denver Broncos mock draft.
Really great throw from Quinn Ewers, but man this catch from Gunnar Helm while taking a hit is wild. One of the top tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/L8YWRjGCfP
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) November 23, 2024
At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Helm has the in-line skillset and smooth athleticism to be a highly versatile piece of an NFL offense. He moves well for his size, allowing him to attack the field both vertically and horizontally. Helm is also very solid after the catch, as he can run through contact, make defenders miss, and even hurdle over players like a track star.
As a receiver, Helm excels at the little things. He has strong hands and has shown the ability to fight for the football at the catch point. As a route runner, Helm showcases good fluidity in his hips while cutting in and out of breaks, making it easy for him to create separation. He is bigger than most safeties and more athletic than most linebackers, making him a true mismatch in-line and in the slot.
However, Helm’s blocking ability really separates him from others in the class. While his technique isn’t perfect, he showcases good power and a willingness to get his hands dirty. He can work his way to the second level or provide a solid chip in pass protection. This allows him to be a true in-line tight end at times, which cannot be said about many other tight ends in the class.
Can't touch @gunnar_helm 😤 pic.twitter.com/M1AYzVieNj
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 9, 2024
Helm’s main concern is the lack of a truly elite trait. Helm may very well wind up falling into the ‘jack-of-all-trades, master of none’ conversation, as he is not a physical freak like Tyler Warren or an advanced receiving threat like Colston Loveland. However, Helm’s fluid movement should frankly be viewed as an elite trait, as smooth separation ability is a massive reason why Travis Kelce is one of the NFL’s best at the position.
An all-around talent like Helm would be perfect for the Lil’Jordan Humphrey role in the Broncos offense, as an upgraded blocker and more reliable pass-catcher over the middle would do wonders for Bo Nix’s development. Helm could quickly put up 600 yards and five touchdowns, or more, for the Broncos every year, making him well worth the selection here.
Round 3, pick 75 (From PHI): Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennesee
Does anyone remember the last time Payton selected a running back from Tennesee in the third round? Given Alvin Kamarra’s career… safe to say that one turned out pretty well.
Sampson even resembles Kamara as a prospect. He is one of the most explosive players in the class and displays above-average to elite traits in many other areas, including great speed, vision, and contact balance. That impressive assortment of traits has earned him 21 touchdowns on the season so far.
One guy I think deserves more national attention is #Vols RB Dylan Sampson 🍊
— The Draft Room (@TheDraftRoomNFL) November 28, 2024
Shifty, tough and patient, he’s scored a TD in every game this season, and rushed for 100+ yards in all but two
🎥: Here’s a minute of some of his best plays of the year so far 👇 pic.twitter.com/mkD9hvKoGH
Sampson’s contact balance at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, is particularly impressive. While he isn’t necessarily “undersized” for the running back position, he is slippery and bounces off of tacklers like he’s 215-plus pounds. He is also extraordinarily sudden and can quickly change direction, making him a tremendous threat after contact.
Service not so great, but Dylan Sampson certainly is pic.twitter.com/Pp7nZmZX0X
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) November 17, 2024
While Broncos fans have been frustrated with Javonte Williams’s vision, or lack thereof, they wouldn’t have to worry about that with Sampson. Sampson is extremely patient while following his blocks and knows when to break a run outside or cut up-field.
The primary question with Sampson is whether or not he could lead a backfield at the next level, as he has a smaller frame and isn’t overly productive as a receiver. However, that wouldn’t be a problem with the Broncos, as a backfield of Sampson and Audric Estime would be an excellent combination of speed and power. He is also stuck in an absolutely loaded running back class, which could make him slip this far.
Round 3, pick 84: Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
As things currently stand, the Denver Broncos are expected to let defensive lineman D.J. Jones walk in free agency. Jones has been a key contributor in the run game, currently leading the NFL in run-stop win rate, meaning the Broncos must replace that size and production.
In this Denver Broncos mock draft, they target Jay Toia to remedy that problem.
Toia could help solve that problem for Denver in the third round, as he is a beefy defensive tackle at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, and is one of the better run defenders in the Big Ten. Toia primarily plays nose tackle for the Bruins, although he lines up along the entire defensive line.
UCLA DT #93 Jay Toia could be a sleeper name for the 2025 class. He was dominating last night against the Washington offensive line. After a promising season last year for the Bruins, he’s only getting better. I feel like he deserves more recognition in this class. pic.twitter.com/2gxLDSIwNY
— William Herman (@_williamherman) November 16, 2024
The Bruin prospect has superb upper-body strength and is built low to the ground, making it very easy for him to win the leverage battle against an offensive lineman. He is thick enough to take on double teams and fill gaps, making him a true wall in the running game.
Toia also lives in the backfield, as he is explosive off the snap and has a great first step, allowing him to generate some easy TFLs.
Despite his ability in the running game, he cannot be counted on to be a consistent pass-rush threat. Despite how penetrative he is as a run defender, it has yet to translate to many sacks. There is developmental upside there, but his pass-rush plan needs development and he does not have the elite twitch to become a dominant force there.
That said, D.J. Jones is a minor pass-rush threat and still has been a great contributor for the Denver Broncos defense. As long as Toia can help stop the run, he would have time to develop that aspect of his game.
Round 4, pick 121: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The Broncos have made it no secret that they are looking for more athleticism from the linebacker position, and they get it here, with their second UCLA Bruin of this Denver Broncos mock draft.
A former walk-on who had to wait several years before getting the start, Schwesinger is a great story that is easy to root for. Schwesinger is highly talented and productive, leading the team with 109 tackles through 10 games, but he isn’t just an old-school tackle machine, like Josey Jewell; he boasts legit range and athleticism in his skillset.
Carson Schwesinger x 2️⃣
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 9, 2024
He gets his first two career INTs in the same game for @UCLAFootball 🤯#B1GFootball on FOX 📺 pic.twitter.com/uf5Zyj4s2L
He displays good vision while navigating running lanes, demonstrating the ability to penetrate the backfield. He also has three sacks and two interceptions on the season, meaning he can be effective as a blitzer and in coverage.
UCLA was FIRED UP on the sideline as Carson Schwesinger sacks Dylan Raiola on 4th & Goal 😤 pic.twitter.com/Rj42GDZH4m
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 2, 2024
Since he is just a one-year starter, he will need more development at the next level before being asked to start. Denver could be the perfect situation for him if they bring back free agents Justin Strnad and Cody Barton, as he would not be forced to start immediately.
He is also only listed at 225 pounds, making him undersized for a linebacker. This sometimes shows up against the run when he is tasked with shedding blocks. He could benefit from adding more weight, as long as it doesn’t take away from his athleticism.
Round 6, pick 195: Jalen Catalon, S, UNLV
After a long wait following their fourth-round selection in this Denver Broncos mock draft, Denver adds some safety depth with Jalen Catalon from UNLV. This is an underrated need for the Broncos, as the games that P.J. Locke and Brandon Jones have missed have not been pretty.
Don’t test the middle of the field on Jalen Catalon😮💨pic.twitter.com/FltnhyZutK https://t.co/NfFyrfEOQF
— Chan (@CjMumme) June 27, 2023
Catalan has been a ball-hawk for the Rebels this season, tallying five interceptions and three passes deflected. He is physical in the running game and displays good zone coverage ability, making him a solid rotational option for the Broncos secondary.
Despite playing like a top-100 pick this year, Catalan could slide due to his age. At 23, he is currently playing in his sixth season of college football. He also has a shaky injury history, as he has missed games almost every year of his career with shoulder, leg, and head injuries.
Round 6, pick 197 (From ARI): Austin Barber, OT, Florida
The Broncos haven’t selected an offensive tackle since Garrett Bolles in 2017. That must change, even if the solution is just a late Day 3 draft pick.
Austin Barber from Florida is a fun developmental prospect to target in this Denver Broncos mock draft.
Barber has the athletic traits one expects from an NFL-caliber tackle. He displays above-average arm length and athleticism, having speed to beat rushers to the edge and terrific reactionary athleticism to adjust to various pass-rush moves.
He desperately needs to add strength, as he struggles to anchor and gets overpowered at the point of attack. This is especially notable in the running game, as he can often be knocked backward.
Barber would greatly benefit from a developmental year with Broncos offensive line and strength coaches Zach Strief and Dan Dalrymple, as he continues to fill out his frame and add power to his game.
Round 6, pick 204 (From PHI): Tyreem Powell, LB, Rutgers
The Denver Broncos finish this mock draft with another linebacker.
Tyreem Powell, from Rutgers, is a talented linebacker who had his senior season stripped away due to achilles and wrist injuries.
If Powell declares, the Broncos should definitely take advantage of a potential Day 3 slide for him, as he is extremely talented and versatile. Powell is a massive presence at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, and is a very disciplined run defender, showing the ability to read and clog running lanes.
Tyreem Powell made this incredible play…and then was immediately ejected for targeting
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) October 14, 2023
Imagine what they’d have done to Clowney if that happened in 2023pic.twitter.com/igDOWRK6Jg
Powell also exhibits upside in coverage, as he can comfortably drop into zone and mirror tight ends in man. His length helps him be very sticky in coverage, as he can stay in phase with tight ends and make plays at the catch point.
Many areas of Powell’s game still need to be cleaned up, but there is clear upside as a developmental linebacker who could contribute on special teams immediately.
