Broncos 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Denver trades down for QB of the future; selects elite Alabama corner on Day 2
By John Blair
Round 2 Pick Pick 53: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Denver has one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in Pat Surtain II. However, they need to find someone to start opposit of him and to upgrade their pass defense in general. Last season, the team finished 27th in points per game allowed and 28th in opponents completion percentage.
In the second round the team goes back to Surtain’s old school Alabama and take Kool-Aid McKinstry. McKinstry was named a first-team All-American this year after only allowing opponents to complete 32 percent of the passes thrown his way this season. Despite being a shutdown corner he is someone who is falling down the draft board and according to Mel Kiper Jr. on ESPN's First Draft, he will be a second or third-round draft pick.
Round 3 Pick 76: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
The Denver Broncos will enter the 2024 season with one of the highest-paid wide receiver groups in football, but they didn’t play like one of the best groups in the NFL. Due to this the team could look to move on from Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy. Even if both of these players return the team needs to add depth at this position.
"You’d be getting the ultimate competitor; [I don’t] shy from competing at all. I want to be one of the best players for that organization, not just on the field, but off the field. You don’t have to worry about those kinds of [off-the-field] things, and overall, [I’m] a great dude, a genuine guy."
- Devontez Walker via Windy City Gridiron
North Carolina’s Devontez Walker is an athletic wide receiver who could play both inside or outside in Denver’s system. He also put up some impressive numbers catching 41 passes and seven touchdowns in just eight games this year. Unfortunately, though his average Senior Bowl performance and injury history could cause him to slide to the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.