Broncos Grab Instant Starter in Todd McShay's Latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The Denver Broncos managed just a 7-10 record this past season and decided to make some wholesale changes, including hiring Nathaniel Hackett as the new head coach. There's still serious questions surrounding quarterback, and while those could be answered with a blockbuster trade for Aaron Rodgers, Todd McShay has identified another area of need.

In fact, he projects Denver to draft an instant starter in his latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Broncos Mock Draft

McShay projects Denver to select Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd with the No. 9 overall pick. The versatile junior is the first linebacker taken off the board in McShay's second mock draft.

Lloyd is seen as an instant "plug-and-play starter who can be Denver's leader on defense," according to McShay. The massive 6-foot-3, 235 pounder put up a combined 111 tackles (66 solo), six passes defended, eight sacks and four interceptions last year.

It's an easy fit considering Denver sees three linebackers in Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell and Kenny Young enter free agency this offseason. Any of those three could return, but the Broncos still rated near the bottom in pass rush win rate (31.3%) and run stop win rate (27.8%) despite allowing the third-fewest points on defense.

The model of plugging cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who the Broncos also selected No. 9 overall year, immediately into a starting role worked wonders this year. Why not do the same again? Especially if Denver feels strongly they have an outside candidate coming in to command the offense under center.

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Adam Taylor McKillop is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Adam Taylor also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username atmckillop. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.