Denver Broncos Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

PROJECTED TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS

Sean Payton takes advantage of teams overlooking Warren's skills, sending Denver's first- and second-round picks to Dallas for this selection and a fifth-rounder. The tight end brings great value to second-year signal-caller Bo Nix as a strong but nimble pass catcher who's able to move the chains, get down the seam and be a major red zone threat.

Between Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims, the Broncos have two guys who can make plays downfield. How about a receiver who can do all the underneath stuff and provide a serious YAC threat?

A bit of a luxury pick maybe, but Hampton would give the Broncos a steady and reliable RB1 for their offense — and form a strong trio with second-year running back Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.

The Broncos spent free agency making big investments at non-premium positions in safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end Evan Engram. So they can use the draft to keep adding to a defensive front that has developed into the team's biggest strength. Defensive ends Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers are entering the final year of their respective contracts, and though Denver may extend both, it's important to keep "feeding those lines," as general manager George Paton said at the combine. Stewart is a bit of a projection given his lack of raw production in college, but he's Dane Brugler's No. 9 overall prospect thanks to the unique traits inside of his 6-5, 281-pound frame. It could become great value for the Broncos, who can address their need for a running back in the second round. — Nick Kosmider

Head coach Sean Payton loves running his offense through the tight ends, running backs and slot receivers. The Broncos landed their tight end via free agency in Evan Engram and now they get a back with some big-time juice.

Normally, it isn't as simple as replacing one former Tar Heels running back with another. However, that could be the case in Denver where Hampton's size, speed and reliability in the passing game could make him a better fit in Sean Payton's offense than Javonte Williams (now a Dallas Cowboy) proved to be.

Denver has been an interesting team to follow in free agency. I initially thought Colston Loveland would be the pick for the Broncos here, but they signed Evan Engram, negating their need for a tight end. They've added a bunch of guys defensively, too. I know Sean Payton wants a running back, and his great offenses almost always have great dual-threat RBs, but I don't think there's a great one here to pick, with several options looming in Round 2. So, Golden's the pick. He was Texas' No. 1 receiver by the season's end and the focal point of its passing game down the stretch.

If one of the top two running backs -- Ashton Jeanty or Omarion Hampton -- is on the board, Denver might try to jump-start the run game. The team's 4.1 yards per carry ranked in the bottom half of the league last season, and Javonte Williams (who signed with Dallas) hasn't yet been replaced. But the board fell the way it did in this scenario, and I don't have another RB going on Day 1.

Instead, the Broncos can focus on another hole in the offense around quarterback Bo Nix at wide receiver. McMillan would give Nix a sure-handed jump-ball artist who uses his great body control and physicality to make tough catches. He broke 1,300 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. Pairing him with Courtland Sutton and new tight end Evan Engram would give opponents some game-planning nightmares.

You want to see the most terrifying front seven in the NFL? Well, it would belong to Denver after nabbing the best all-around linebacker in the draft class to pair with Dre Greenlaw.

Denver got a big-bodied tight end in free agency with Evan Engram. So, it should add another wide receiver who offers middle-of-the-field ability and great catch-point control in Tet McMillan to play opposite Courtland Sutton on the outside.