Denver Broncos Mock Draft: Projecting the top three rounds

FIRST ROUND

Christian McCaffrey, RB/RS, STANFORD

The Denver Broncos have a desperate need on the offensive side of the ball for a playmaker or two…or three.

There’s also a dire need for a kick and punt return specialist that can, first and foremost, catch the football.

All sarcasm aside, McCaffrey would fill a number of holes for the Broncos that need to be filled as soon as possible. Forget for a moment that Denver Bronco orange and blue is in his very blood — his father Ed McCaffrey was a wide receiver for the Broncos, in case you haven’t heard that a thousand times by now — this is actually a match made in heaven for the Broncos.

Some might question this selection and whine, saying, Well, no one is going to be able to run behind that Denver offensive line… and that’s true. I’m assuming the Broncos are going to make primary upgrades to the offensive line via free agency, because there are already a number of young players still on rookie contracts when you look across the board.

What the Broncos need to do this offseason is simple, but they still have to push the right buttons. They must fortify their offensive and defensive lines, and then get players that can make a significant impact.

Playmakers.

Christian McCaffrey is exactly that. The Broncos simply won’t be able to get by with just Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders posing a threat to make plays offensively. Adding McCaffrey gives Denver a guy that can score from anywhere on the field: as a returner, as a receiver, and as a running back.

Heck, he could even throw a pass if needed.

This is simply a perfect player for the Broncos to have, someone who could compensate for a poor offensive line by making plays in space and creating offense for a unit that desperately needs something.