Mile High Maniac
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Broncos Way Too Early 2017 Three Round Mock Draft

By Gordon Trickel

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) pass rushes next to Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) pass rushes next to Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) rushes against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Mississippi Rebels 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) rushes against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Mississippi Rebels 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMarcus Walker, Defensive Line, Florida State

The Denver Broncos have talent on their defensive line, and invested a second round pick in 2016 on defensive linemen Adam Gotsis. It is still early for Gotsis, but he has yet to show development. The Broncos can’t sit and wait for Gotsis to be molded into a starter.

Jared Crick is the Broncos other starter opposite Derek Wolfe, and got the starting job because of an injury to Vance Walker. Walker is set to become a free agent and Crick signed a two year deal. Their only other depth player at defensive end is Billy Winn, who also sees his contract run out after this season.

With that, the Denver Broncos bring in DeMarcus Walker out of Florida State. Walker is 6-3 and 280+ pounds. His combination of size and strength gives him scheme versatility in the NFL, but with the Broncos he would be a 5-tech in their 3-4 front.

The selection of Walker gives Denver a starter opposite of Derek Wolfe, and one who can bring consistent pass rush. Walker would go to fully replace what Malik Jackson brought to the team both in run defense and pass rush. If he isn’t ready to start year one, he drastically improves the depth on the Broncos defensive line.

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If Adam Gotsis does develop, and the Broncos also have Walker, they would have an outstanding three-man rotation with their defensive ends. Wolfe and Gotsis can also play nose tackle in obvious passing downs. Walker would take a solid unit and make them excellent.

In his 2015 season, Walker amassed 10.5 sacks and another 15.5 tackles for a loss. So far this season he has 5.5 sacks. That pass rush is what the Broncos defensive line is really missing. They still get pressure, but a lot of that comes from their linebackers. Both Jared Crick and Derek Wolfe have gotten pressure, but not consistently.

The Broncos really need that pass rushing force from their defensive line. Someone who can create pressure on a three-man rush. it adds another element to the Broncos defense that they just don’t have this year. An element that Walker can add.

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