The Denver Broncos enter the 2023 offseason with a laundry list of needs. The offensive line needs a running back to help Javonte Williams return from knee surgery.
Another tight end against Greg Dulcich could help Denver with heavier personnel packages. Of course, the offensive line could use upgrades and talent infusion almost everywhere.
However inside NFL Network‘s Mock Draft 1.0 by Bucky Brooks, the Broncos skip adding talent on offense to bolster defense With the 29th overall pick, Brooks had the Broncos selecting Iowa Edge russer Lukas Van Ness.
Pass rushers rank highly in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. While it should be undisputed, the biggest need for the Broncos this offseason is to expand the offensive line.
Russell Wilson holds the ball in the passing game almost as long as any quarterback in football. Also, with his age and decreasing mobility, the Broncos’ offensive line will have a duty to play above league average norms in order for the offense to function smoothly as Wilson’s game mimics that of 2022.
And that doesn’t even discuss how important it will be for Denver to improve next season and lean into the running game to maximize Wilson’s style of play. In disdain for the Broncos’ offensive line, Denver’s sharp decline in defense, particularly on the defensive front, was lost during the latter half of the season.
There were reasons for the downfall, of course: trading Bradley Chubb, losing Dre’Mont Jones and DJ Jones to injury, Baron Browning and Randy Gregory not having time, and dealing with various bumps and bruises. Also, 2022 second-round pick Nik Bonitto, while having a golden opportunity to impress with injuries around him, failed to make a huge impact. Denver could certainly use more help up front ahead of next season.
Van Ness is perhaps one of the more intriguing names in the 2023 draft cycle at Edge Rusher. At 6ft 5 and 275 pounds, he possesses a massive physique that he worked hard to build during his time in Iowa. With hockey being his first love, Van Ness is still relatively young at football, having only picked up the sport in high school.
What’s next for the Broncos? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a second and Sign up for our FREE newsletter and get the latest Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!
Van Ness didn’t start in Iowa, but was more of a sub-package rotating weapon that the team used on the perimeter or inside to get behind the quarterback. In his redshirt season as a freshman, he disrupted the quarterback throughout the defensive line and worked on his game inside to play with better pad level and improve gap integrity.
While Van Ness’ consistent run defense is still questionable, he’s an incredibly skilled and versatile inside-outside pass rusher who’s still scratching the surface of his skills. Van Ness absolutely dominates against Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, both of whom are considered top-half first-rounders this draft cycle (compare Daniel Jeremiah, who mocks Van Ness for being eighth to the Falcons).
However, if Van Ness falls where Denver picks, the Broncos shouldn’t hesitate to add another weapon to their defensive line. Given the body types the Broncos currently have as edge rushers, for the most part small and not long, Van Ness offers vastly different abilities than the pass rushers currently on the team.
With the size and length to play on the edge in a 4-3, and the athleticism and twitch to play more stand-up in a 3-4 while being reduced inward into various gaps against the pass, Van Ness could be an incredible player early in his career in different ways as he develops more in running defense.
The Broncos certainly need an offensive line more than anything on the roster this offseason. But if the best player on the board when Denver is on the clock is someone bolstering a highly questionable defensive line, then anyone making the pick in April shouldn’t hesitate to make that pick.
Keep following Mile High Huddle Twitter and Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on Youtube for daily Broncos live stream podcasts!
