Solid Starter
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri – Round 2 
Throughout the leadup to the 2019 NFL Draft, the consensus in the scouting community was that Lock would be a first-round pick, so for the Broncos to land him in the second round was a very good value. There is no doubt that Lock has a first-round skill set, and his revolving door at offensive coordinator really hurt his development at Missouri. After some grooming in Denver, Lock could become a solid starter for the Broncos.
Lock is a gunslinger-style quarterback who has a big arm with the ability to throw any pass. His powerful arm allows him to fire the ball into tight windows for completions, as the velocity of his throws are capable of beating coverage. He throws the ball well downfield and shows timing and anticipation. Along with his arm, Lock is a better athlete than one would expect. Scouts say that came across the more one watched him, and his athleticism is a surprising plus for a big-armed quarterback. Lock has above-average accuracy and showed improvement as a senior. He can throw receivers open and doesn’t miss open receivers. His field vision is advanced, as he moves his eyes to work through progressions and does not lock onto his primary target.
Team sources say that on top of liking Lock’s skill set and intelligence, they like his swagger and the confidence he brings to the field. They say that there is a lot to work with and feel that Lock has a lot of upside for the NFL. He’s a big kid with a firehose for an arm, is smart, confident and athletic. Sources say Lock is also a good basketball player, illustrating his athletic ability.
The Broncos have an excellent situation for Lock because he can be developed as a backup to Joe Flacco before possiblye moving into the starting lineup for Denver in a year or two. While Lock may never be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL, I think he could become a solid starter for the Broncos.
2018: Courtland Sutton, WR
2017: Demarcus Walker, DE
2016: Devontae Booker, RB
2015: Jeff Heuerman, TE
2014: Lamin Barrow, LB
2013: Sylvester Williams, DE
Most Likely To Bust
Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State – Round 2 
Risner got a lot of attention leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft because of his character off the field. At Kansas State, Risner started a foundation and was very active in the community, going above and beyond to help those around him. While Risner’s charity is a wonderful asset, it also helped to elevate his draft standing and make him a higher-rated player than his play deserved. At Kansas State, Risner was a good right tackle, but he has some limitations for the NFL. I don’t like picking Risner for this because I think he could be a solid starting center in the NFL. If he stays at tackle however, I think there is the potential for him being a bust.
As a pass blocker, Risner has some issues. He does not have the feet, athleticism, and agility to be a left tackle, and those issues could hurt him as a right tackle. Defenses move their best pass-rushers all over the formation, so a team can’t hide a weak edge blocker in the NFL. Risner is too stiff and would be a liability against NFL speed rushers. However, he is a smart blocker who has good technique.
In the ground game, Risner uses his strength to torque defenders and manipulate them at the point of attack. He is not an overwhelmingly power blocker who knocks defenders off the ball and is a road grader. However, he has good technique to latch onto defenders and turn them away from his back.
In the NFL, I think Risner has to move to guard or center. Center could be his best fit, and I think that would probably be the position at which he could be most effective.
2018: Isaac Yiadom, CB
2017: Carlos Henderson, WR
2016: Justin Simmons, S
2015: Ty Sambrailo, OT
2014: Bradley Roby, CB
2013: Montee Ball, RB
Potential Boom Pick
Noah Fant, TE, Iowa – Round 1 
This was not an easy selection because a I see boom potential for Fant, Drew Lock and third-round defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones. However of those players, I think Fant’s skill set portends the best to being a potential elite player at his position, as he has rare speed for a tight end and the potential to be one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends in the NFL. Thus, of the Broncos’ early-round selections, I see Fant as having the most boom pick potential.
As a pro, Fant is a true receiving tight end who could produce big numbers with his receiving skills. He is too fast for linebackers, and safeties can also struggle with his speed. In the open field, Fant has a second gear to run away from defenders and rip off long gains while being a scoring threat. Team evaluators say Fant is not a natural hands catcher of the football, and that could be seen at the combine when he had some drops in the field drills. Becoming more reliable with his hands is the biggest point of improvement for Fant.
In the scouting report, I wrote on Fant leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft, I said his pro comparison was Jimmy Graham, and I believe that Fant has the potential to be that kind of receiving tight end in the NFL. If he does live up to that comparison and his skill set, Fant will be a boom pick for Denver.
2018: Bradley Chubb, DE
2017: Garett Bolles, OT
2016: Paxton Lynch, QB
2015: Shane Ray, LB
2014: Cody Latimer, WR
2013: Quanterus Smith, DE
Future Depth Player
Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State – Round 3 
I thought the Broncos landing Jones in the third round was one of the best picks on the second day of the draft and a potential steal. In the pass rush, Jones is capable of being a real contributor from the inside. He has a very fast first-step and often is the first one off the ball. Jones gets into the chest of offensive linemen and fires into his gap to get penetration in the backfield. Along with being fast, Jones is athletic and can redirect to work through trash in order to pressure the quarterback. Jones is able to use his hands and feet at the same time. He also shows some variety in pass-rushing moves with developed technique. Jones may not have the size and run defense to become a three-down starter, but he could be a very good situational pass-rusher to go on the inside between Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. I think Jones could be a dangerous interior pass-rusher who ends up being a steal as a third-round pick for the Broncos.
2018: DaeSean Hamilton, WR
2017: Brendan Langley, CB
2016: Connor McGovern, G
2015: Max Garcia, C
2014: Corey Nelson, LB
2013: Kayvon Webster, CB
Walt’s 2019 NFL Draft Grades:
20. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa A Grade
The Broncos did a good job of picking up two extra second-round picks by trading down from No. 10 to 20. They wanted to move down as soon as T.J. Hockenson was taken off the board. There was speculation that they liked Devin Bush, but that wasn’t legitimate. Hockenson was their man all along, but they also liked Noah Fant and correctly recognized they could trade down and still obtain him. Unlike the Raiders, Giants and Falcons, they didn’t reach. They filled a huge need with good value, so it’s hard not to grade this as an “A.”
41. Dalton Risner, C/OT/G, Kansas State A Grade
This is a terrific pick. The Broncos are not only getting a skilled offensive lineman who can play any position, but they’re also obtaining a super-high character person for their locker room. Risner is going to give his new team 110 percent all the time. I assume Risner will slide in at center to replace Matt Paradis. This was a huge hole for the Broncos, yet they plugged it with a nice prospect.
42. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri A- Grade
The Broncos used the second-round pick they acquired from the Steelers to trade up for Drew Lock. This is a great move, as Denver obviously needed a quarterback from the future to learn behind Joe Flacco. I wasn’t a fan of Lock as a first-round prospect because of his accuracy and field vision question marks, but he’s absolutely worth the gamble in the second round because of his arm and upside.
71. Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State A Grade
I love the value the Broncos are getting with Dre’Mont Jones. I highly doubt Jones will be able to be a three-down defensive tackle, but he’ll be a pass-rushing specialist on the front. Jones will get pushed around in the running game, but he’ll be able to generate a good deal of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jones could’ve gone a round earlier than this, so the value is definitely there.
156. Justin Hollins, DE/OLB, Oregon A Grade
It makes sense that the Broncos would select a solid backup to play behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Justin Hollins can also play inside linebacker, so the Broncos obviously like his versatility. Hollins’ upside is very apparent as well, given his great athleticism. Hollins needs to add some weight, but the potential is certainly there. Hollins has great character traits, so I believe he’ll give Denver his all and become a solid player for them. This is a terrific choice.
187. Juwann Winfree, WR, Colorado C Grade
Juwann Winfree is a huge unknown. Maryland recruited him, but he barely played for them. He endured suspensions and injuries, and he didn’t see much action in Colorado. However, the athletic potential is there, and perhaps Denver is hoping that Winfree will be the next Phillip Lindsay, but only a receiver. He should’ve been obtained as a UDFA.
2019 NFL Draft Team Grade: A+ . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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