The Broncos are looking to improve their pass rush if Mel Kiper Jr.’s new NFL mock draft comes to fruition.
The ESPN draft analyst on Tuesday and has Denver trading down the No. 9 overall pick to the Browns for the No. 13 pick and a third-round pick — a move he says “adds a valuable top-100 pick and still keeps it in the discussion for the best edge rushers in the class.” At No. 13, he has Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II coming to Denver.
“Johnson is one of the biggest risers of the past month; he dominated at the Senior Bowl, showing that his 12 sacks after transferring from Georgia weren’t a fluke,” Kiper writes. “He destroyed offensive tackles in Mobile, Alabama. With Von Miller gone, this is a spot the Broncos can improve upon, especially with Bradley Chubb’s injury issues. They finished the season ranked last in the league in pass rush win rate. Johnson has a big frame (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) and can play with his hand in the dirt or on his feet in a 3-4 defense. I’m a fan.”
The Browns select USC receiver Drake London in this scenario to give quarterback Baker Mayfield another weapon.
Kiper writes that the Broncos should be “team to watch for the quarterbacks” with the pick but thinks they’ll acquire one via trade or free agency.
The NFL draft takes place April 28-30.
