Mock Draft 2014: Seven Players That The Denver Broncos Could Draft In The First-Round

Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback

(5) is tackled by Auburn Tigers defensive end

(30) during the first half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Dee Ford, DE, Aurburn

Dee Ford is coming off of a spectacular senior season with the Auburn Tigers as they would eventually lose in the BCS National Championship. Ford would finish second in the SEC in sacks with 10.5 on the season, collecting 29 total tackles, 18 solo.

Here is the scouts take on Ford via CBSSports.com.

"STRENGTHS: Fluid athlete with impressive burst, agility and underrated strength. As his size suggests, Ford relies on his burst off the snap to gain the corner against offensive tackles. He accelerates smoothly and is flexible enough to bend around the corner as a pure speed rusher. Also possesses long arms and broad shoulders. These give him better pop at the point of attack than his opponents expect. While he’s not going to be able to hold up against a powerful run-blocking right tackle all day long, Ford shows some toughness in setting the edge and does a nice job of jumping outside to keep contain. Best of all, while most of his snaps due come from the three-point stance, he is occasionally asked to drop back into coverage, giving scouts evidence that he’ll be able to handle coverage duties. Ford shows balance and efficient change-of-direction skills when operating in reverse, making him one to watch as a linebacker convert."

Ford is rated as an undersized pass-rusher at 6-2, 243 but would be nice addition to Denver’s defensive-line. Outside of Shaun Phillips, Malik Jackson, and Von Miller, Denver struggled to get pressure on the quarterback which hurt them in Super Bowl XLVIII. A good pass rush makes for a good, quick secondary. Ford is projected to go late in the first-round and would be a solid pick-up for the defensive-line, especially with Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips being potential free-agents.