The Denver Broncos are working the free agent pool now that they have Peyton Manning in the fold, but they also need to prepare for the draft. With the team targeting offensive players of late for Manning, the Broncos might turn to using its first-round draft pick on a defensive player, like a defensive tackle. ESPN's Bill Williamson projects Mississippi St. Bulldogs defensive tackle Fletcher Cox as the pick:
This is Denver’s greatest need and Cox is a high-quality player. Denver may have to hope he is available at No. 25 and if he is, I think he’ll be the choice.
This could change if the Broncos bring back Brodrick Bunkley, who is near the top of the team's priority list now. However, as we saw in 2011, the Broncos certainly need to add depth to the line. Ty Warren and Kevin Vickerson return from injury, but the former is far too injury-prone to count on for a full season.
Safety and linebacker could be positions addressed with the team's pick at No. 25 overall. Even if Brian Dawkins returns, the Broncos need to address the issues in the secondary, and middle linebacker, despite Joe Mays' three-year contract, is not at the level of Von Miller or D.J. Williams, the other two starting linebackers.
For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.
