ESPN unveiled Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest NFL mock draft on Wednesday and the draft analyst has the Broncos building up their defense.
Kiper has Denver selecting Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 12 overall pick in the draft to give the Broncos a one-two punch in the secondary.
“I thought hard again about giving the Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (Oregon), but I talked myself out of it,” Kiper writes. “I just don’t think Nix is a first-round signal-caller. I have a Round 2 grade on him based on everything I’ve seen on tape. He lit up defenses for the Ducks the past two seasons — he had 74 touchdown passes to just 10 picks — but there’s some risk involved based on what he was asked to do in the Oregon offense. His average pass traveled 6.3 yards downfield last season, which was sixth shortest among 125 qualified FBS quarterbacks, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
“Instead, Denver can look to improve a defense that ranked 30th in yards per play allowed (5.8) last season and pair Mitchell with Pat Surtain. Mitchell, my top-ranked cornerback, had 46 pass breakups in four seasons at Toledo, and he ripped off an elite 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s ready to play early and often as a rookie.”
The NFL draft takes place April 25-27 in Detroit.
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