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With the start of the NFL Scouting Combine this week, ESPN prognosticator, Mel Kiper, dropped his latest mock draft before the combine results change everything for mock drafters — probably not so much for most NFL scouts.
Interestingly, Kiper had the Denver Broncos targeting defensive secondary for the second straight first round in the NFL Draft.
30. Denver Broncos
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Broncos have two solid safeties in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, so this pick might not reap immediate rewards. But neither did the Jahdae Barron pick last April. Denver is planning ahead in the secondary and building something there, as coach Sean Payton focuses on keeping this defense strong.
McNeil-Warren is a bit of a sleeper right now, but I think he could have been a top-15 pick had he played for a Power 4 team. His performance against Kentucky at the beginning of the season got my attention. He had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in that game. His tape shows real speed to the football, and he has five interceptions and 12 forced fumbles over his four-year career.
This would be the ultimate luxury pick and would require the Broncos addressing their most critical needs in free agency for this to be something fans would enjoy.
McNeil-Warren was a dominant presence for Toledo in his senior season. He had 77 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. The only problem I have is that the Broncos are set at the position, but they seemed set at the position too when they drafted Jahdae Barron last April. So I can’t really say this pick is never going to happen.
Would you like this pick if it happened in two months?