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The Denver Broncos led the NFL in sacks last season with 52. They also finished third in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing only 91.1 yards per game. If any team doesn't need defensive line help, it's the Broncos. Yet that is exactly the position CBS Sports' NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang has the Broncos addressing in his latest mock draft. The rich get richer, I guess.
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With pick No. 28, Rang projects the Denver Broncos to select Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.
The team found a good young standout in Derek Wolfe a year ago and he's played well as a rookie. The 6-3, 320-pound Hankins has the surprising movement skills to take advantage of the one on one blocks he'll face in Denver as opponents focus on the Broncos' outstanding edge rushers.
Hankins, at one point ranked as a top-ten prospect, measures out at 6'3 and 320 pounds. He ran a 5.31 40 at the NFL Combine, so he would take on the role of run stopper, not pass rusher.
Dan Kadar of SB Nation's Mocking the Draft also has the Broncos strengthening their defensive line in the upcoming draft. In his latest mock, Kadar projects Denver to select defensive tackle Jesse Williams out of Alabama. On the selection, Kadar wrote the following:
The Broncos need to continue adding talent on the defensive front. Williams can consistently take up two blockers, which would help free up Elvis Dumervil (assuming he's not released).
Williams, at 6'3, 323 pounds, measures out as similar to Hankins. Williams was the big man in the middle for the nation's top defense last season, earning second-team All-SEC honors.
With a dynamic offense made even more dynamic with the signing of wide receiver Wes Welker, a dominant defense could be the key for Denver getting over that final hurdle -- a Super Bowl. This draft could add that final piece.
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