2018 NFL Mock Draft: Complete first round post NFL Combine
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Guard. Quenton Nelson. Notre Dame. 5. player. 45
Needs: OL, QB, ILB
The Denver Broncos need a quarterback but they seem like the franchise that is going to look for a proven free agent veteran like Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins or Case Keenum rather than dip into the NFL Draft for one again. Denver has wasted first rounders on Paxton Lynch and Tim Tebow and won’t go that route again.
Thus, Denver will need to protect their quarterback and try to establish a run game. They’ll do so behind the highest rated offensive lineman in the draft, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. Nelson has been as high as first overall on some draft boards but I see him landing in a good spot here at fifth overall.
John Elway will go with the best player available but it’s also a position of need for Denver. The Broncos just came off throwing a horrible twenty-two interceptions in 2017. They have a good wide receiver in Demaryius Thomas and a 1,000 yard rusher in C.J. Anderson. If Denver can protect the quarterback and open up running lanes they can rely on their defense to get back in the playoff picture which is where Elway demands them to be.