Predicting the 2013 NFL Draft one year ahead of time is a fool's errand if anyone wants to take it as realistic assessment of what will happen. Still, a 2013 mock draft does give us some room to determine whom we should start looking at as we gear up for the fall seasons. ESPN Insider Todd McShay doesn't see the Broncos in the playoffs this coming season, as he has them selecting No. 18 overall in his 2013 mock draft.
He sees the Broncos going for Notre Dame Fighting Irish inside linebacker Manti Te'o with that pick. Te'o would have been a first-round selection had he come out last year as a junior. He made 128 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks. At 6 feet 2 and 255 pounds, the Hawai'i native is gifted with the size to play middle linebacker.
The Broncos did sign Joe May to a multi-year deal this offseason and Nate Irving, a 2011 draft pick, is looking to make an impact, but a year from now neither may look to be a good option in between Von Miller and D.J. Williams (who is facing a six-game suspension for a drug violation, pending legal action).
Get ready for plenty of draft speculation later this fall!
Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft. Keep abreast of all matters regarding the Denver Broncos at the Broncos blog Mile High Report.