Oakland Raiders: Mocking the Top 10 picks of the 2019 NFL Draft

Though the Broncos have a very pressing need for a new signal caller, it’s unlikely they’ll burn a first-round pick on a quarterback in what is a very thin class this year.

They do have plenty of other needs to fill though. Specifically, they will need to address some deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball. Longtime veteran Domata Peko finished out the two-year pact he signed with Denver and is now a free agent.

There’s no word yet on whether John Elway and the Broncos are interested in bringing the 34-year old, 13-year veteran back for another season.

Instead, they could be looking to address that hole on the interior of their defensive line by taking some young, explosive talent like Houston’s Ed Oliver. The 6-3, 275-pound defensive tackle is considered among the nation’s best, though an injury and a decision to skip his team’s bowl game has precipitated a slight decline in his draft stock.

It likely won’t be enough to deter Elway or new head coach Vic Fangio – a defensive-minded guy – who will covet the size, speed, and raw power Oliver possesses. Though Oliver is not without his flaws – he sometimes has trouble shedding blocks and can let himself get overpowered at the point of attack – those are issues that coaching can help alleviate through better technique.

Teamed with standouts like Von Miller, Derek Wolfe, and Bradley Chubb, Oliver will fit right in, have a solid impact, and help give Denver one of the more formidable defensive fronts in the league.