DTF Three-Round Mock Draft: Denver Broncos Draft Picks

For the week of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Defiant Takes Football crew got together and did a full three-round mock draft where every team had a General Manager. The General Managers were also allowed to make trades with each other to make this mock draft as realistic as possible.

I was in charge of the Broncos for the DTF Three-Round Mock Draft: Denver Broncos Draft Picks, and with that, I had to think through the minds of both George Paton and Sean Payton while also applying what I think is the best move for the team.

The two minds are very different when it comes to the draft. Sean is known for trading up and being aggressive to get the guy he wants, while George is known for trading down and collecting as many picks as possible. I was able to accomplish both with just two third-round picks and finished with six total third-round picks.

Trades:

Browns receive: Pick 68

Broncos Receive: Pick 74, Pick 98

Giants Receive: Courtland Sutton

Broncos Receive: 2024 second-rounder, Pick 89, 2023 fifth-rounder, 2023 sixth-rounder

Ravens Receive: KJ Hamler, 2023 fifth-rounder

Broncos Receive: Pick 86

Seahawks Receive: Jonathan Cooper, 2023 fourth-rounder

Broncos Receive: Pick 83

Broncos Draft Picks:

Former Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson (2) – Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

Pick 67: Tyrique Stevenson, CB Miami

If you read back to my past articles, you know that I believe Cornerback is one of the biggest needs for the Broncos remaining on the roster. The Broncos can not go into next season with Surtain, Mathis, Williams, and some other guys at the CB position in this division.

Stevenson started as a Freshman at Georgia before transferring to Miami, where he had a great career. He is solidly built at 6’0” and 198 pounds and has some of the best balance in the draft. He does not get beat very often, leading to only 17 catches last season.

Pick 74: Jordan Battle, S Alabama

Former Alabama S Jordan Battle (9) – Crimson Tide Photos

Safety is not a position of need for the most part for Denver. They have one of the best Safeties in the NFL with Justin Simmons, a guy they really like in Caden Sterns, and a third safety they trust with P.J. Locke. However, I could not pass up on one of the better safeties in this class, falling in the middle of the third round.

Battle struggles as a single high safety and is not great at man coverage. In the zone, he is very consistent and stable, and he plays the type of Safety that the Broncos could really use. He is primarily a box/two high safety. With Simmons next to him, and the CBs on this roster, his coverage role is not huge and allows him to play his physical brand of football.

Pick 83: Rashee Rice, WR SMU

After trading both Sutton and Hamler, the Broncos were desperate for a WR to add to the group of Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and Marquez Callaway. I ended up getting one of my favorites in the draft.

Coming off a season with 96 catches, 1,344 yards, and ten touchdowns, he fills a lot of what Payton wants with his receivers. He has great body control and is one of the best-possession guys in this draft. He had 16 contested catches in the last season, and while he is not the most athletic and does not get out of his releases great, he is going to move the chains consistently. He could have a very similar role in this offense that Michael Thomas had in New Orleans.

Pick 86: Zach Charbonnet, RB UCLA

Former UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet (24) – Libby Cline-Birmingham

Running back was another huge need for Denver, and it looks like that will be filled through the draft. With Williams most likely missing the start of the season, getting another guy to fill his spot is going to be needed.

Zach may not be one of the most insane athletes in the draft, but he is built like a tank and is very elusive for his size. He can also catch the ball, which is a plus, while also carrying back-to-back thousand-yard seasons. He may be a little worn down after years of being the bell-cow back at UCLA, but for what the Broncos need, he fits very well this season.

Pick 89: Byron Young, EDGE Tennessee

Former Tennessee EDGE Byron Young (6) – Donald Page/Getty Images

Byron is a project which the Broncos can afford at the EDGE position since they have three guys they view as starting EDGE rushers. Young is still learning all the tricks and tools but has great speed and traits to develop into a successful player.

Pick 98: Kayshon Boutte, WR LSU

Former LSU WR Kayshon Boutte (7) – Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Kayshon was at one point touted as the next great LSU WR, but after having surgery on his ankle, he has struggled to get back to his old play. With the Broncos already taking a WR with Rice, they can afford to have Boutte as a break glass in case of an emergency player while working with him on returning to his old self.