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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —** In each of the past two years, the Broncos brass has bucked expectations on Day 1 of the NFL Draft by making modest trades to snag highly graded players within their reach. If that opportunity arises again in 2017, will the Broncos do the same?
"I don't see that," ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said on a conference call with media Monday.
What Kiper, like many others in the business of forecasting the draft, does see for the Broncos is a pressing need at offensive line that they must address. However, Kiper notes what's uncommon about this draft is that many, if not all, of the top offensive tackles may still be available once the Broncos are on the clock with the 20th overall pick.
In this fourth edition of the mock draft roundup, Garett Bolles has overtaken Ryan Ramczyk as the most popular first-round pick for the Broncos. (AP Images)
![TE David Njoku, Miami
"He will be a weapon in the NFL. Experience is a question -- he's a third-year sophomore who only put it all together down the stretch of the Hurricanes' 2016 season -- but he has a high ceiling. This is another spot in which an offensive tackle could go." [March 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/tga0tkalhtkasukdu2gw.jpg)
TE David Njoku, Miami "He will be a weapon in the NFL. Experience is a question -- he's a third-year sophomore who only put it all together down the stretch of the Hurricanes' 2016 season -- but he has a high ceiling. This is another spot in which an offensive tackle could go." [March 22]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"Bolles has just one year of major college experience, but he's the most athletic left tackle prospect in this class and he plays with an edge. He has a lot of tools to develop, and after signing G Ronald Leary and OT Menelik Watson in free agency, Denver might have the time to bring him along properly." [March 15]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/ewkt8xyqxvf66y596tgr.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "Bolles has just one year of major college experience, but he's the most athletic left tackle prospect in this class and he plays with an edge. He has a lot of tools to develop, and after signing G Ronald Leary and OT Menelik Watson in free agency, Denver might have the time to bring him along properly." [March 15]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"Bolles is a work in progress after only starting one year at Utah and comes with some character red flags. He has the highest upside of any lineman in this class, however, boasting the light feet and competitive nature to project as a future standout left tackle." [March 27]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/zltzfozoncnl2g1liobv.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "Bolles is a work in progress after only starting one year at Utah and comes with some character red flags. He has the highest upside of any lineman in this class, however, boasting the light feet and competitive nature to project as a future standout left tackle." [March 27]
![TE David Njoku, Miami
"The Broncos have plenty of names on the tight end depth chart, but no difference-makers. Njoku is only 20-years old and still raw in areas, but his potential is off the charts." [March 27]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/pdwyrjg1mhw9khuht7si.jpg)
TE David Njoku, Miami "The Broncos have plenty of names on the tight end depth chart, but no difference-makers. Njoku is only 20-years old and still raw in areas, but his potential is off the charts." [March 27]
![OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
"They addressed offensive line in free agency, but they need more help. This is a versatile player." [March 16]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/ilp4u8aw2tur0fmw6apf.jpg)
OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin "They addressed offensive line in free agency, but they need more help. This is a versatile player." [March 16]
![OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
"The Broncos have to get better on the offensive line regardless of whether they end up with Paxton Lynch or Tony Romo starting at quarterback." [March 23]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/a7a54toof0cmvaezbmnj.jpg)
OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin "The Broncos have to get better on the offensive line regardless of whether they end up with Paxton Lynch or Tony Romo starting at quarterback." [March 23]
![RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
"John Elway opts for the son of his former teammate, Ed McCaffrey, adding a whole new element to the team's offense and special teams in the process." [March 24]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/riicrcumgtglzd2v7y8x.jpg)
RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford "John Elway opts for the son of his former teammate, Ed McCaffrey, adding a whole new element to the team's offense and special teams in the process." [March 24]
![OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
"The Broncos' offensive line ranked 24th in pass protection and Ramczyk will change that. The task becomes even more important as the Broncos continue their youth movement at quarterback. Last year, it was Trevor Seimian, and in 2017 it could be 2016 first-rounder Paxton's Lynch time to lead the offense." [March 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/vvpi0chvxxke9h1cncwk.jpg)
OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin "The Broncos' offensive line ranked 24th in pass protection and Ramczyk will change that. The task becomes even more important as the Broncos continue their youth movement at quarterback. Last year, it was Trevor Seimian, and in 2017 it could be 2016 first-rounder Paxton's Lynch time to lead the offense." [March 22]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"Left tackle is a major need for the Broncos, and Bolles is a good fit." [March 28]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/zgdxumrwprylohfyrvdq.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "Left tackle is a major need for the Broncos, and Bolles is a good fit." [March 28]
![OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
"Robinson has some flaws on tape but he has excellent size, length and power." [March 13]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/fcomgi9orz2avvtrey3j.jpg)
OT Cam Robinson, Alabama "Robinson has some flaws on tape but he has excellent size, length and power." [March 13]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"Contrary to popular opinion, the Broncos' offensive line struggles prevented the team from making another run at the title." [March 20]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/wafnbtqg0owqhl59fogk.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "Contrary to popular opinion, the Broncos' offensive line struggles prevented the team from making another run at the title." [March 20]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"Bolles is an insane athlete and would have been an easy choice in the Gary Kubiak era, but my guess is that Denver will still have a great deal of interest in him even if he is a little on the light side." [March 27]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/wvnxqnpwbcux9ow9y86h.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "Bolles is an insane athlete and would have been an easy choice in the Gary Kubiak era, but my guess is that Denver will still have a great deal of interest in him even if he is a little on the light side." [March 27]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"John Elway needs a reliable pass protector to keep Paxton Lynch (or Tony Romo?) upright." [March 15]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/p3urgxqj459jupctdnon.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "John Elway needs a reliable pass protector to keep Paxton Lynch (or Tony Romo?) upright." [March 15]
![OT Garett Bolles, Utah
"Good draw for the Broncos in this mock, with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, David Njoku, Zach Cunningham and every OT still on the board. Bolles is older than the typical rookie, but his outstanding athleticism would be a perfect fit in this offense." [March 29]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/jujxqywpkxa1ampqud4j.jpg)
OT Garett Bolles, Utah "Good draw for the Broncos in this mock, with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, David Njoku, Zach Cunningham and every OT still on the board. Bolles is older than the typical rookie, but his outstanding athleticism would be a perfect fit in this offense." [March 29]
![OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
"... Ramczyk is one of few tackles in the class that looks like an immediate starter at the next level. Denver has a lot of work to do up front, and Ramczyk can step right in at left tackle to offer strong pass protection after he gave up 12 QB pressures last season in his first year of FBS action. He can make every block in the run game, and that fits well with a Denver offense that is looking to add more man concepts to last year's zone-heavy scheme. ..." [March 15]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/en1ee0ckkqvq8vgka8qf.jpg)
OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin "... Ramczyk is one of few tackles in the class that looks like an immediate starter at the next level. Denver has a lot of work to do up front, and Ramczyk can step right in at left tackle to offer strong pass protection after he gave up 12 QB pressures last season in his first year of FBS action. He can make every block in the run game, and that fits well with a Denver offense that is looking to add more man concepts to last year's zone-heavy scheme. ..." [March 15]
![OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
Kadar also selected DT Montravius Adams of Auburn to the Broncos in this two-round mock draft. [March 27]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/anexobbvrgwrkfedqmer.jpg)
OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin Kadar also selected DT Montravius Adams of Auburn to the Broncos in this two-round mock draft. [March 27]
![LB/DE Haason Reddick, Temple
"After losing Danny Trevathan to free agency and Brandon Marshall to injury, Denver's run defense really suffered in 2016 due to a lack of linebacker depth. Now, with DeMarcus Ware's retirement, they need help on the outside, too. Grabbing Reddick does both: He's capable against the run and in coverage, and he was an explosive college pass rusher who grabbed 9.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for a loss last year for the Owls." [March 28]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/rtafwwlmzbx6rnrvvape.jpg)
LB/DE Haason Reddick, Temple "After losing Danny Trevathan to free agency and Brandon Marshall to injury, Denver's run defense really suffered in 2016 due to a lack of linebacker depth. Now, with DeMarcus Ware's retirement, they need help on the outside, too. Grabbing Reddick does both: He's capable against the run and in coverage, and he was an explosive college pass rusher who grabbed 9.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for a loss last year for the Owls." [March 28]
![RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
"Plenty of teams could pounce on McCaffrey: the Saints (No. 11), the Eagles (no. 14) and the Titans (No. 18) could have particular interest. Offensive line also remains a position of need, with questions about left tackle. But the Broncos need game-breakers who can create mismatches; they finished dead last in the NFL last year with just 44 gains of 20 or more yards." [March 21]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/kpxjwavbdzrlksoengpk.jpg)
RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford "Plenty of teams could pounce on McCaffrey: the Saints (No. 11), the Eagles (no. 14) and the Titans (No. 18) could have particular interest. Offensive line also remains a position of need, with questions about left tackle. But the Broncos need game-breakers who can create mismatches; they finished dead last in the NFL last year with just 44 gains of 20 or more yards." [March 21]
"I think the offensive line is still the area and you're not going to trade up for any of those guys, I don't think, because they don't have a high-enough grade right now to trade up for where they're picking, whether it's Garett Bolles of Utah, Cam Robinson of Alabama or Ryan Ramczyk [of] Wisconsin," Kiper said. "All three of those guys — I think two of those three would be there — maybe all three are there.
That's how it went in his most-recent mock draft, at least. On April 5, Kiper predicted that each of the three top tackle prospects would be available when the Broncos picked. Ultimately, Kiper selected Ramczyk to the Broncos, saying, "[T]he 6-foot-6, 310-pound Ramczyk could compete at both tackle spots."
In that same mock draft, Kiper's counterpart, Todd McShay, had the Broncos taking Bolles, which is a move that Kiper could also see on Thursday.
"Bolles is interesting," Kiper said. "I think he's a little bit kind of risk-reward there."
But the one move Kiper can't see is the one they've made in the previous two years — trading up, as they did in 2015 and 2016 for Shane Ray and Paxton Lynch, respectively.
"I wouldn't say they have to," Kiper began, "but I think the offensive line is the issue they need to solve."