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NFL Draft Day: Final look at candidates for Broncos' first-round draft pick

Hockenson, Bush, Oliver, Jonah Williams, and QBs head the list. The NFL Draft begins at 6 p.m.
Credit: AP PHOTOS

Let’s do this one final time.

Having done a little more research and talked to a few more people the last couple days, I am confident the Broncos’ first-round draft pick – whether it’s with their current No. 10 overall selection or first, first-round choice if they trade back – will come from one of these candidates (in what I think would be the order):

Credit: AP
Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson (38) rushes the ball into the end zone to score during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. Iowa won 42-16. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

T.J. Hockenson

Tight end, Iowa

The Broncos’ new quarterback, Joe Flacco, loves to target tight ends. See the pass-catch stats for Todd Heap (2008-10), Ed Dickson (2011), Dennis Pitta (2012, ’16). The Broncos’ new offensive coordinator, Rich Scangarello, loves to target tight ends. See George Kittle in San Francisco.

Hockenson is the best blocker among the athletic receiving tight ends in the draft.

Credit: AP
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush (10) reacts to a tackle against Indiana in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Devin Bush

Inside linebacker, Michigan

Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense requires at least one fast inside linebacker. Bush may only be 5-11, 234, but he runs the 40 in 4.43 and he plays with relentless tenacity.

An all-around player who had 18.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks and 11 pass deflections his final two seasons for Jim Harbaugh.

And remember, Fangio and Harbaugh are close, having coached together in San Francisco and Stanford. Gotta think Fangio would take Harbaugh’s Bush instead of LSU’s Devin White, who is a similar player.

Credit: AP
Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver (10) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in Houston. Memphis won 42-38. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Ed Oliver

Defensive end, Houston

An inside penetrator who averaged 17.6 tackles for loss in his three seasons for Cougars. We all saw him screaming at his coach on the sidelines this year. The Broncos don’t have to worry about that. He ain’t screaming at Bill Kollar or Vic Fangio. (At least not with Kollar or Fangio screaming back).

Credit: AP
FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams sets up to block against Arkansas in the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Fayetteville, Ark. Williams is a possible in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)

Jonah Williams

Offensive guard, Alabama

In the Scangarello zone blocking scheme, Williams has the athleticism to get it down on the inside, and he could also eventually move back out to his natural left tackle position if Garett Bolles continues to struggle with consistency.

Credit: AP Photo/L.G. Patterson
FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2018, file photo, Missouri quarterback Drew Lock runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, in Columbia, Mo. Lock is a possible pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)

Drew Lock

Quarterback, Missouri

Dwayne Haskins

Quarterback, Ohio State

Daniel Jones

Quarterback, Duke

Any of these QBs, probably in that order, could be the Broncos’ choice if they trade back from No. 10. Do not believe John Elway will take a QB at No. 10.

Credit: AP
Iowa tight end Noah Fant runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Noah Fant

Tight end, Iowa

A trade-back option. Will need to dramatically improve his blocking but he’s the top receiving mismatch among tight ends.

Credit: Ric Tapia via AP
LSU Tigers cornerback Greedy Williams (29) during an NCAA football game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 in Baton Rogue, LA. (Ric Tapia via AP)

Greedy Williams

Cornerback, LSU

Deandre Baker

Cornerback, Georgia

A trade-back option. Given the Chris Harris contract conflict, the Broncos may have to look stronger at corners. Greedy Williams is the best cover guy and Baker is a four-year player and strong tackler.

Credit: AP Photo/John Bazemore
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Georgia defensive back Deandre Baker (18) tries to out run Middle Tennessee running back Brad Anderson (11) after intercepting a pass in the first half of a game, in Athens, Ga. Baker was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

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