/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46166068/usa-today-8274712.0.jpg)
With the 28th pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2015 NFL mock draft, the Denver Broncos select Florida offensive tackle D.J. Humphries. Jack H is serving as the Broncos' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.
The Broncos are looking for at least two new starters on the offensive line, with only left tackle Ryan Clady and right guard Louis Vasquez starting for sure. While center is a concern, Gino Gradkowski was recently acquired from Baltimore and will fit nicely into the Gary Kubiak zone blocking scheme. But the Broncos must figure out their right-tackle situation.
D.J. Humphries is the most athletically gifted tackle in the draft. He is a guy who can start on the right side and step into the left side if there is an injury to Clady. Humphries is raw, but is drawing comparisons to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who has made a career of handling speed rushers.
There are injury concerns over the last two years, and Humphries is leaving Florida after just 19 career starts, but there is tremendous upside. He is a solid pass protector, as evidenced by his tape versus Shane Ray, in which he kept the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in check for most of the game. He is balanced and possesses quick feet with the upper-body power and nasty attitude to be effective in a zone blocking scheme. At 6-foot-5 and weighing in just shy of 310 pounds, Humphries will become a dominant force on the right side of a rejuvenated Broncos offensive line.
Peyton Manning is 39 years old and needs more talent in the trenches if he expects to win a championship in the twilight of his career.
--
Check out the 2015 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.