2013 NFL mock draft: D.J. Fluker to Denver Broncos

Kyle Montgomery: "The Denver Broncos are in a great position heading into the NFL draft (if not a great draft position at 28th overall). They don’t have a glaring need or a player to which they’ve become attached. They can allow the draft to unfold as it will, then take the Best Player Available – perhaps someone with a mid-first round rank that unexpectedly begins to tumble down the first round, team by team?

"That’s the case with D.J. Fluker, offensive tackle, Alabama, in this 2013 Mock Draft. Fluker has slipped past his typical draft slots and into the waiting arms of John Elway – and the eager cadence of Peyton Manning. Fluker is a road-grader with extreme physical ability and a mean streak, a perfect fit at right tackle or either guard spot for the Broncos. Denver doesn’t have a need there – Orlando Franklin was solid at RT and they just picked up G Louis Vasquez in free agency – but the depth at tackle is suspect, and the Broncos can let the best two tackles out of Fluker, Franklin and Ryan Clady win their starting spots out of camp. If that makes me sleep better at night, imagine what it does for Peyton Manning.

"I also considered a defensive lineman in this spot to replace Elvis Dumervil. DT Sylvester Williams is a player who could be seen as good value for the Broncos here, as well as DE Damontre Moore, but I predict the impact from drafting Fluker would be higher both in the short-term and long-term. ILB Manti Te’o was also considered, but the Broncos have had enough wild offseason media coverage in recent years between Tim Tebow and Manning. I honestly want no part of it - I suspect the Broncos don’t either.

"Bottom line: I checked five different Big Boards, and Fluker was ranked between 17 and 23 in all of them. At Pick 28, the value is just too good for the Broncos to pass up."