Broncos Land Talented QB-TE Duo in ESPN's Latest 3-Round Mock

With just under two weeks to go until the NFL Draft hits, the Denver Broncos have some decisions to act on.

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) takes the field before / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The clock continues to tick down on the wait before the 2024 NFL Draft officially commences Thursday, April 25th, in Detroit, Michigan. As the days of waiting continue to pass, the endless trove of projections and predictions for when the night takes place, especially when it comes to the Denver Broncos.

For a roster that has many holes to plug heading into the upcoming season, they forecast as a team that could go a variety of different directions at the end of this month. The quarterback has been well within the scope of possibilities, but if the board doesn't fall in Denver's favor, it's not impossible to see Sean Payton and Co. pivot elsewhere.

In the case of ESPN's latest three-round NFL mock draft by Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr, the Broncos ultimately ended up with Georgia TE Brock Bowers with their 12th-overall pick, skipping out on selecting available QBs like Oregon's Bo Nix and Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

Yates dove into the rationale of the Broncos 'decision to go tight end over quarterback, crediting Bowers as a "special prospect" and an immediate boost to the passing game.

"To take a quarterback or not? That's a dilemma I'm sure Denver is weighing heavily," Yates says. "Ultimately, it felt a little too soon for me, and Bowers is a special prospect. He would instantly upgrade the entire passing game, no matter who is throwing the ball."

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Bowers is often boasted as one of the top tight end prospects in recent memory, which would inevitably be a valuable add to a Denver offense lacking explosiveness in the passing game. During his final season with Georgia, he posted 56 receptions on 714 yards and six touchdowns.

No matter if Denver places a rookie in as the starting signal caller, or a veteran like Jarrett Stidham gets the nod, a player like Bowers is versatile and dynamic enough to put up solid numbers.

As a result of going best player available in round one, it allows for Denver to make a move under center later in round three, as Yates projects them to select South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler at 76th-overall.

"Denver's patience at quarterback pays off here," Yates said. Rattler could certainly compete with Jarrett Stidham for the starting job right away. Rattler threw for 3,186 yards last season, and he has had a good pre-draft process."

If the Broncos don't walk out with a new quarterback after day one, Rattler is a prime candidate to be in play for Denver with a pick further down the board. The 6-foot-1 senior spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma before ultimately transferring to the Gamecocks ahead of the 2022 season.

Not owning a second-round pick limits the Broncos' ability to land a prospect like Nix or Penix if they fell out on day one. Instead, an option like Rattler is likely the next best way to turn for a QB with the capital Denver has on hand.

An array of possibilities remain on the table for Denver, sitting less than two weeks away from the big night, and this is far from the worst one. Regardless, Broncos Country will receive the answers to each of their burning draft questions in due time.

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