Way-too-early Denver Broncos 2023 NFL Draft preview

The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon. (Picks 1-18 are locked in.)

2022 Record: 5-12 | Projected first-round pick No. 29 | Team needs: Offensive line, RB, WR

Snapshot: Denver's offense was abysmal in 2022, scoring 287 points, last in the league. It ranked 19th in passing and 21st in rushing. The Broncos must replace head coach Nathaniel Hackett, the offensive "wizard" who was fired two games before the season ended. The new coach, of course, will have a say in the team's draft direction. As part of the Russell Wilson trade, the Broncos traded their own first-round pick (fifth overall) to Seattle.

Potential first-round picks: O'Cyrus Torrence, guard, Florida; Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama; Jaylin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

Wilson was sacked 55 times in 15 starts, tied with Justin Fields for most among QBs. The 34-year-old quarterback can't continue to withstand the brutal, physical toll. Selecting Torrence would be smart.

Per ESPN's Todd McShay, Torrence hasn't allowed a sack since 2019 and only allowed six pressures in 1,023 pass-blocking attempts. He was a consensus All-American. 

Denver is thin at running back. Javonte Williams suffered a season-ending ACL/LCL tear in October, and has a "long road back," per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Former Pro Bowler Latavius Murray played well, rushing for 703 yards in 12 games, but he's not a cornerstone at 32 years old. 

Gibbs could bolster Denver's backfield. In 2022, he was a dynamic offensive weapon at Alabama, recording 1,370 yards from scrimmage and scoring 10 touchdowns. He's also a reliable receiver (44 catches in 13 games in '22).