At a glance: Denver had so many holes going into the Draft that it wasn't hard to pick up Week 1 starters. Trading back in the first round instead of addressing the offensive line worked out well considering the team got tight end Noah Fant, tackle Dalton Risner and quarterback Drew Lock inside the first 41 picks. But free agency did more harm than good for the Broncos who continue to have glaring weaknesses.
Quarterback Drew Lock's addition is going to be heavily scrutinised following the team's lack of success with quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch in previous drafts, and last year's costly experiment with Case Keenum. Lock is sure to ride the bench until newly-acquired quarterback Joe Flacco says otherwise, but the investment of another high pick at the position puts general manager John Elway under pressure. The search for a franchise signal caller makes or breaks GMs, and Elway has seen more than most.
Fant addresses the desperate need at tight end and is a genuine pass-catching threat. He is a semi-decent blocker which will help whichever quarterback starts on Week 1. Risner can play anywhere along the line which is crucial for such an under resourced O-Line. The Broncos' offensive line was severely depleted in free agency, losing Matt Paradis, Max Garcia and Billy Turner. The addition of Ju'Wuan James doesn't out-weigh their losses.
The front office is still placing a lot of faith in the skeleton of 2016's Super Bowl winning defense. It doesn't have many options considering all the positions it must fill, so will hope its success in drafting defensive linemen will continue with third round pick Dre'Mont Jones. Linebacker Bradley Chubb proved hugely impactful last season, and along with Von Miller, Derek Wolfe and a decent secondary, Denver will hope Jones will help mend a leaky defense that gave up 11th most yards and recorded 10th fewest sacks in 2018, per ESPN.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.20 Noah Fant TE
2.09 Dalton Risner OT
2.10 Drew Lock QB
3.07 Dre'Mont Jones DT
5.18 Justin Hollins OLB
6.14 Juwann Winfree WR
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: Fansided
