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          NFL Nation

          Mel Kiper, Todd McShay have Broncos looking offense in two-round mock

          • Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterApr 5, 2017, 05:45 PM
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              Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.
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          ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Even after roughly a month of free agency has passed the Denver Broncos' biggest roster need has not changed.

          And despite the team having signed guard Ronald Leary and tackle Menelik Watson among their acquisitions on the open market, the Broncos still have a glaring hole at left tackle. Executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway has promised “we’ll get it fixed,’’ but the pickings are slim among veteran players.

          Elway and coach Vance Joseph have floated the idea either Watson or Donald Stephenson, who played right tackle for the Broncos last season, getting a look at left tackle. But Stephenson was benched briefly late last season because of the Broncos' struggles up front in the offensive line, and neither player would be the preferred option at this point.

          Which is why when ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay worked their way through a two-round mock draft, both said the Broncos would make their first pick – currently No. 20 – a potential rookie starter at left tackle. Kiper gave the Broncos Wisconsin tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who had hip surgery in January, while McShay offered the Broncos should take Utah tackle Garett Bolles.

          Some personnel executives see Bolles as a better potential left tackle over the long haul because of his athleticism, but others say Ramczyk is more versed in a pro-style offense, especially in the run game. Ramczyk said at the scouting combine he expected to be ready for training camp.

          In three previous mock drafts Kiper has said the Broncos would take a tackle two times – it was Bolles both times. The two-round mock was the second time McShay has said Bolles would be the Broncos’ first-round pick.

          The Broncos have also taken a long look at a deep group of pass catching tight ends in their pre-draft work, and both Kiper and McShay said that position will be the target in the second round. Both also said Ashland tight end Adam Shaheen would be the pick.

          In a group where there are players who are either top-quality receivers or high-end blockers – but not both – Shaheen is considered by many teams to be the best size-speed combination at the position.

          Shaheen was both the tallest – 6-foot-6 ½-inches -= and heaviest (278 pounds) player at the position who was invited to the scouting combine. His 4.79 40-yard dash showed quality movement skills for a player that size as well.