Denver Broncos’ Mock Draft: The Sean Payton era begins
The Denver Broncos’ organization has undergone a ton of changes in the last calendar year, and this draft is the first in their Sean Payton era. I think Denver is in great hands with Sean Payton as the head coach.
His tenure has head coach of the New Orleans Saints was filled with excellent offenses and excellent draft classes. That’s exactly the type of success Denver needs, and the hope is that he and General Manager George Paton can combine their brain power to bring in a solid draft class in 2023.
With little capital in 2023, Denver is going to have to hit this draft out of the park.
Denver Broncos’ Mock Draft: The Sean Payton era begins
67th overall pick: Traded pick 67 and 139 to BAL for R. Bateman and pick 86
Wow. So the PFN Mock Draft Simulator prosed a trade that would net the Ravens picks 67 and 139 from the Broncos in return for Rashod Bateman and pick 86. If I’m the Broncos, I’m running to the phones to make that trade, 10/10.
68th overall pick: Traded pick 68 to NOR for picks 71 and 146
The Denver Broncos get a pick back in this deal as they move down three spots from the 68th overall pick and pick up pick 146 in the deal.
71st overall pick: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
The first pick that Denver actually makes in 2023 is Zach Charbonnet from UCLA. He comes in as the RB1, sharing carries with Samaje Perine while they await the return of Javonte Williams. When Williams returns, that backfield can be scary.
86th overall pick: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
The second pick they make helps fill another huge need, and that’s at cornerback. The Broncos cut Ronald Darby earlier in the offseason and now have a hole there. Second year CB Damarri Mathis played well in 2022, but reinforcements are needed.
108th overall pick: Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
146th overall pick: Jon Gaines II, OC, UCLA
195th overall pick: Habakkuk Baldonado, EDGE, Pittsburgh
BONUS: Trade WR Courtland Sutton to the New England Patriots for 2024 4th round pick
Since the Denver Broncos traded for Rashod Bateman, I sent Courtland Sutton to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick in 2024. The Patriots then will deploy a WR trio of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Courtland Sutton, and Jalin Hyatt, who they took with their 46th overall pick in this mock draft simulation.