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2019 NFL Mock Draft: How high will Kyler Murray go in projected first round?

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages)
(Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages) /

10. player. 45. . CB. Georgia. Deandre Baker

Denver isn’t far away from being a playoff team once again. They were probably better in 2018 than their final 6-10 record indicated. The Broncos finished the season 13th in DVOA, ahead of playoff teams such as Dallas and Philadelphia. They were just woefully inconsistent, showing the ability to beat playoff teams like the Seahawks and Chargers, as well as putting two scares into Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but they also showed that they could lose to anyone.

Denver lost their final four games of the regular season to miss the postseason, with two of those defeats coming against the lowly Niners and Raiders.

The Broncos hired a defensive minded head coach by tabbing Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to replace Vance Joseph. With a new regime in place, Denver could be in the market for a quarterback if Fangio isn’t sold on Case Keenum. Keenum clearly isn’t the future under-center at Mile High, but they might be stuck with for another year or two, particularly if they aren’t sold on one of the second tier quarterbacks.

I don’t expect John Elway to reach for Murray or one of the others with this pick, potentially instead waiting until day two to tab one of the available options early in the second round.

With their first pick, look for the Broncos to try to upgrade a secondary that ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards per pass attempt given up in 2018. A pair of corners – Bradley Roby and Tramaine Brock – are also slated to hit free agency this offseason, making the need for a corner that much more urgent.

Don’t be surprised if Georgia’s Deandre Baker makes a push toward the No. 1 corner spot in this class with LSU’s Greedy Williams. I don’t think he’s far behind at the moment, and pre-draft workouts could tell the tale for the two All-SEC players.

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