2022 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos bolster offense early in 7-round mock

Round 4, Pick 117: Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M

Denver is going to need a safety to play along side Simmons and given their needs elsewhere, they might have to wait until later in the draft to address the secondary fully. Luckily, there could be a diamond in the rough here with Markquese Bell.

Bell has been projected as a below average tackler, but to have that tag and still tally over 90 tackles in a season isn’t an easy task. Bell has also made a name for himself as a playmaker, forcing five fumbles.

Bell might not be the ideal pick in Denver, but he has potential and can fill in this season if it comes to that in the secondary.

Round 5, Pick 143: Cam Taylor-Britt, DB, Nebraska

Continuing to rebuild the secondary for the Denver Broncos, Cam Taylor-Britt is another player with upside and potential to find in the later rounds. Playing in at least eight games each of the last four seasons, Taylor-Britt has plenty of experience.

The 2021 season proved to be his best, posting 11 passes defended and 51 tackles for Nebraska. He also tallied five interceptions over the last three seasons.

Taylor-Britt never really had a breakout season or a single stat that jumped off the page. Instead, there’s proven consistency which is enough to intrigue a team this late in the 2022 NFL Draft, especially at a position of such need like the secondary for the Denver Broncos.

Round 5, Pick 153: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada

The Denver Broncos are rather strong at tight end with Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam, but two tight ends won’t cut it in the NFL anymore, especially if injuries set it. Plus, the easiest way to help a rookie quarterback progress is to provide him with a set of hands he already trusts. Denver can do just that with Cole Turner.

At 6-foot-6 240, Turner might need to bulk up a bit more at the NFL level for blocking purposes, but his potential as a tight end could be exactly what Carson Strong needs to advance his career more quickly.

At Nevada, Strong and Turner connected 62 times this past season with Turner logging 677 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. That came after he posted nine touchdowns and 605 yards last season on 49 catches.

The chemistry is already there between Strong and Turner. Adding both could provide a jump start to both careers as well as the already talented Denver offense.

Round 7, Pick 239: Nick Broeker, OL, Mississippi

A draft decision still awaits Nick Broeker, so he might not even be available. Given his fall this season in stock, there’s a good chance he could return to school. However, if he would for whatever reason end up here, Denver could walk away with a steal.

Before the season, Broeker was in the first round conversation as an offensive tackle. Operating in a high-powered Ole Miss offense, he would fit the mold that Denver is trying to utilize at the NFL level.

Broeker started off his college career with two impressive seasons. In 2019 he was a True Freshman All-American. Then, as a sophomore in 2020, he was All-SEC Fourth Team according to Phil Steele. That built high expectations for 2021 that included All-American heights.

Despite consistently being the left tackle for the Rebels, Broeker has lost some of his following and could tumble, as seen here, if he enters the 2022 NFL Draft. That could mean a team like the Denver Broncos could grab an incredible offensive line value late in the draft.