superb turnaround, the Jaguars will be a focal point team

ENGLEWOOD Greedy Williams Jersey , Colo. (AP) — So many mock drafts continue to portray John Elway as having fallen for Missouri’s Drew Lock even though the Denver Broncos boss hasn’t spent nearly as much time scouting this year’s crop of quarterbacks as he did last year’s superior group that included Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.Picking fifth last year, Elway passed on first-round QBs Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson to draft pass rusher Bradley Chubb.Expect something similar this year with Elway, who owns the 10th pick this time, capitalizing on a draft that’s even deeper in defensive difference makers and lighter on the kind of pocket passers he prefers.Elway traded for former Ravens QB Joe Flacco this offseason, saying, “We feel like he’s really got a lot more football left in him.”Adding an experienced quarterback such as Flacco gives Elway wiggle room.“We feel like this gives us a lot of different options with that 10th pick, as well as the second and third (rounds),” Elway said. “We’re at the top of those rounds, so we feel like there are a lot of good football players that will be there to help us.”With really enticing quarterback classes coming up in 2020 and 2021, Elway will likely settle for a project passer down the board this year instead of grabbing the likes of Lock at No. 10.Lock has great athleticism, a strong arm and the swagger but lacks accuracy — sounds a lot like Paxton Lynch, whom Elway blundered by taking in the first round three years ago, setting the franchise into a nosedive.The Broncos’ playoff drought is now three years, they’re coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the Nixon administration and Elway is on his seventh QB since Peyton Manning’s retirement and his fourth head coach in six seasons.With Justin Herbert bypassing the 2019 draft to play his senior season at Oregon, the one quarterback that fits Elway’s mold for an old-school pocket passer is Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins — who wore an Elway jersey on his Broncos visit — but he’s expected to be gone by the time the Broncos are on the clock.Last year, Elway shifted his focus after two stop-watch drafts and loaded his roster with prospects who had played four years in college and had been captains. That approach produced his best draft class yet.Elway has plenty of holes to fill as he tries to revive the Broncos:INSIDE LINEBACKEROft-injured Brandon Marshall is gone and while Todd Davis and Josey Jewell had their moments last season, Denver needs a linebacker who can throttle tight ends.“You’re always looking for that linebacker that can play all three downs,” Elway said. “That’s where the game is going, is inside backers under 225 to 230 pounds that can really run and cover people.”TIGHT ENDThe Broncos have three tight ends coming off injuries that sidelined them last season: Jake Butt, Jeff Heuerman and Troy Fumagalli.“We’ve been trying to address that every year,” Elway said. “That’s a tough position now, especially when you’re talking about an in-line guy that is a blocker but can also be a good pass receiver. We don’t have a lot of in-line guys coming out of college like we used to because of what they’re doing in college ball, opening things up. And there’s more receivers coming out of college. It’s much more difficult finding the in-line tight ends than it’s ever been.”DEFENSIVE LINEMANThe Broncos have the NFL’s most prolific pass rush duo in Von Miller and Chubb. But what they really need is more pressure up the middle.“Absolutely. You need to have a good, even rush,” new head coach Vic Fangio said. “You can’t have two guys applying pressure here and two guys stuck here. You want, ‘Boom, Boom,’ right there, four guys at the quarterback he can feel caving in on him. That’s critical at the pass rush and that’s an area we need to improve in.”KICK RETURNERThe Broncos could use a dynamic kick returner for a chance and if he can catch passes, too, all the better, because Emmanuel Sanders is trying to come back from a torn Achilles tendon.CORNERBACKMaybe.Chris Harris Jr. wants a new contract and is sitting out the offseason program until he gets one, and Elway wants to wait until after the draft to give it to him.Of course, that opens the possibility of a team calling Elway and making an offer for Harris. Four quarterbacks are certain to go in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night, all of them early.Five might be off the board midway through the top 32 picks. And, who knows given the desperation pro teams are displaying about finding that franchise QB, we could see six of them go on opening night.Barring trades — and there will be a few of them — here’s one attempt at a mock draft.1. ClevelandOnce more Sione Takitaki Jersey , the Browns try to find their long-term guy at the key offensive position. There are plenty of positives and enough negatives about the top four quarterbacks to make this a crapshoot. We’ll roll with the QB with the most upside …JOSH ALLEN, QB, WYOMING2. New York GiantsDespite the screams from Big Blue fans to find the replacement for Eli Manning, the Giants believe he has two or three very good years left. So do we. Helping Manning recapture the glory will be the highest-rated player in the entire draft.SAQUON BARKLEY, RB, PENN STATE3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)They traded to this spot with one express purpose: finding the next Joe Namath. Or a reasonable facsimile.SAM DARNOLD, QB, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA4. Cleveland (from Houston)The Browns took a stud defensive end last year at the top in Myles Garrett. They get to bookend him with this crop’s top defensive player.BRADLEY CHUBB, DE, NORTH CAROLINA STATE5. DenverMany teams will call the Broncos when they see that two of the hyped quarterbacks remain. John Elway will listen, then will grab what he hopes will be the next, well, John Elway.BAKER MAYFIELD, QB, OKLAHOMA6. Indianapolis (from N.Y. Jets)If they don’t trade again — and if they’re convinced Andrew Luck will, indeed, return to Pro Bowl form — the Colts have lots of options here. They also have tons of needs.QUENTON NELSON, G, NOTRE DAME7. Tampa BayNelson would have been on the Bucs‘ radar, but no other blocker rates in the top 10, so they turn to filling a hole on defense with …DENZEL WARD, CB, OHIO STATE8. ChicagoCertainly not in the quarterback derby after their bold move for Mitchell Trubisky a year ago, the Bears can go many ways here. The most help for them to go up in the NFC North is …TREMAINE EDMUNDS, LB, VIRGINIA TECH9. San FranciscoWith Jimmy G in the fold for years (and multi-millions), the rapidly rebuilding and improving 49ers get a stud on the defensive side reminiscent of Patrick Willis.ROQUAN SMITH, LB, GEORGIA10. OaklandPredicting what Jon Gruden ever will do — such as leaving the comfort of the broadcast booth for the Black Hole — is foolhardy. Then again, what is a mock draft?MINKAH FITZPATRICK, S, ALABAMA11. MiamiThe Dolphins worked on every kind of scenario to get them into the QB derby. Guess what: Miami’s staying put was the best strategy.JOSH ROSEN, QB, UCLA12. Buffalo (from Cincinnati)Lots of groaning going on in Western New York after division rival Miami takes Rosen. The Bills could reach here for a quarterback, but are better served addressing the chasm on the offensive line with …MIKE McGLINCHY, T, Notre Dame13. WashingtonOther than the trade for Alex Smith, a big one of course Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , the Redskins have been relatively quiet this offseason. There’s a need on the defensive line and in the secondary. With such a choice, go for the pass rusher.MARCUS DAVENPORT, DE, UTSA14. Green BayThis is not a top-heavy draft for receivers, but one stands out as a first-rounder. Aaron Rodgers has expressed some “differences” with the Packers on offseason moves, but will like this one.CALVIN RIDLEY, WR, ALABAMA15. ArizonaBruce Arians is gone. Carson Palmer is gone. Most significantly, Tyrann Mathieu is gone, and that’s the guy who will be replaced here.DERWIN JAMES, S, FLORIDA STATE16. BaltimoreOzzie Newsome’s last draft. The GM has been spot-on so many times in his tenure, but he’s also missed recently with some high picks. Baltimore’s offense needs a boost.DERRIUS GUICE, RB, LSU17. L.A. ChargersWe said the Giants weren’t looking at the future replacement for Eli Manning. The Chargers, who traded Manning’s rights to New York back in 2004 and got Philip Rivers, take a different approach.LAMAR JACKSON, QB, LOUISVILLE18. SeattleDon’t you dare utter the world “rebuild” around GM John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll. Not even in a whisper. Still, this roster needs some big-time hits in the draft. Maybe start with …JOSH JACKSON, CB, IOWA19. DallasA receiver would seem to make sense, except no wideouts warrant this spot. Edge rusher does, as well as almost anybody on defense. Cowboys take big guy in middle.VITA VEA, DT, WASHINGTON20. DetroitMatt Patricia is a defensive coach and the Lions have enough needs there for him to skip filling the holes at tight end or running back to get an all-around stud.HAROLD LANDRY, DE-LB, BOSTON COLLEGE21. Cincinnati (from Buffalo)Anyone and everyone is on the board for Cincinnati, which never shies away from character issues with its players. There aren’t such issues with …WILL HERNANDEZ, G, UTEP22. Buffalo (from Kansas City)Missing on their quarterback earlier in this round, the Bills ponder whether to gamble a bit on a signal caller here. They also know the Patriots, up next, have a liking for …MASON RUDOLPH, QB, OKLAHOMA STATE23. New England (from L.A. Rams)After seeing his defense torched in the Super Bowl, Bill Belichick must have been gritting his teeth for 2 months. He gets one player to help shore up the unit in …LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, LB Austin Seibert Jersey , BOISE STATE24. CarolinaCam Newton has done some of his best work, including winning league MVP honors, when he’s had deep threats to throw to. Torrey Smith isn’t the answer, but maybe this pick will provide the guy.CHRISTIAN KIRK, WR, TEXAS A&M25. TennesseeNew coach Mike Vrabel, like Detroit’s Patricia, comes from the New England defensive stable. He’ll appreciate the chance to upgrade the defense with …DA’RON PAYNE, DT, ALABAMA26. AtlantaAnother team seeking defensive help, particularly someone inside who can occupy blockers, penetrate gaps and has enough versatility to play run and pass. That guy is …TAVEN BRYAN, DT, FLORIDA27. New OrleansComing off one of the best drafts in team history, the Saints would be thrilled to come close this time. Tight end is their biggest need and you know Drew Brees will make good use of …HAYDEN HURST, TE, SOUTH CAROLINA28. PittsburghThe way the Steel Curtain was torn asunder by Jacksonville in the playoffs, folks in Pittsburgh must be rabid in their desire for a return to normalcy. One pick won’t do that, but the Steelers make a good start with …RASHAAN EVANS, LB, ALABAMA29. JacksonvilleFollowing a superb turnaround, the Jaguars will be a focal point team for the first time in years. A target for Blake Bortles, to whom they are committed for three more years, is an important step.D.J. MOORE, WR, MARYLAND30. MinnesotaAfter their megadeal with Kirk Cousins, it would be shocking if the Vikings don’t address his protectors. Several times.ISAIAH WYNN, G, GEORGIA31. New EnglandBelichick went defense at No. 23. Now, he goes … defense.JAIRE ALEXANDER, CB, LSU32. PhiladelphiaThe Super Bowl champions — it might sound weird, but the Eagles are legit to contend again in 2018 — could go a popular route and take Penn State TE Mike Gesicki. More likely is aiding the offensive line.CONNOR WILLIAMS, G, TEXAS