Denver Broncos 2022 Mock Draft: Addressing The Front Seven Early

Round 2, 43rd Overall: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

It has been a wild year for the Denver Broncos linebacker room. Injuries have piled up enough for them to trade for Kenny Round of the Rams with a swap of 2024 draft picks. Plenty of the linebacker room will be free agents after the season, including Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, and the aforementioned Young. The development of Baron Browning is something to watch when as he gets reps now, but adding to the room makes sense.

Does this seem to good to be true to get Nakobe Dean here? Based on how the linebacker class is viewed (and rightly so), no. There isn’t a top flight guy in this class right now, but there are some who can make an impact right away. Dean has the skills to be a dominant blitzer with enough range and processing to operate in space.

Round 3, 80th Overall: Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State

Ahh, the quarterback. It’s hard to imagine the Broncos don’t leave with one in the 2022 NFL Draft, no matter how late it is. Finding someone to develop is important, as this offense has the pieces to dominate with the right combination of a facilitator who can also challenge defenses down the field.

He isn’t ready to start now, but Jayden Daniels possesses plenty of tools to work with. He’s got a good arm and generates good velocity, and has the mobility to make plays out of structure. Clean up some things with his accuracy and footwork, and there’s a potential starter in there.