Brugler’s 7 Round Mock

[SpringStein]

If you are a subscriber to The Athletic, you are familiar with the work of Dane Brugler with the draft. He puts together an incredible amount of research on something like 700 prospects in what is called The Beast. Everything from stats, strengths/weaknesses, personal background. This week he did a seven round mock, and here is who he had Denver taking.

1. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
2. Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
3. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
4. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Va Tech
6. Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
6. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
6. Marci Harris, CB , California

A lot to like here. I don’t know much about Burch and the position may not be a priority, but if good enough teams can never have too many Edge players.

 

[SpringStein]

Since I didn’t know much about Burch, I looked up what Brugler said - interesting player comparison.

A two-year starter at Oregon, Burch was the fieldside defensive end in defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s multiple fronts, lining up mostly wide outside the tackle (seven- or nine-technique) and sliding inside (three- or five-technique) on some subpackages. A former top-10 overall recruit in the 2020 class (ahead of other five stars, such as Bijan Robinson, Will Anderson and Jalen Carter), he spent three seasons with his home state Gamecocks before transferring to Oregon for his final two years.

Burch is somewhat of a one-trick pony as a pass rusher who creates pocket push with power, although he has the athletic traits to be more if he improves his setup and secondary moves. He needs to be more explosive with his hands to shed blocks in the run game, but he showed much improved awareness and finishing skills on his 2024 tape. Overall, Burch is a smooth edge rusher in a defensive tackle’s frame. He probably will never be a star in the league, but he has high-floor talent with his NFL size, power and movements. He projects as a scheme-versatile base end, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he has a similar NFL trajectory to that of John Franklin-Myers.

 

[SpringStein]

This was the personal background on Peebles - I’m always amazed at how many prospects come from professional athletic families:

Background
Aeneas (ah-NEE-as) “Fub” Peebles (PEE-bulz) grew up in the Raleigh, N.C., area with his parents (William and Gia). William played on the defensive line at Appalachian State (1991-94) and had an All-America senior season (23 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks), plus set the school’s single-game record for tackles for loss (six). He signed with the Charlotte Rage of the AFL in 1996 and has coached his son throughout his life (they started a tradition in middle school of watching film together after each game, which continued through Aeneas’ five years in college). Gia became the first Black woman to play softball at Cal State Long Beach (1990-93) and helped lead the program to the College World Series all four seasons. She played professionally for the Durham Dragons and was head softball coach at North Carolina Central in 1999. Aeneas’ older half-brother (Caleb Hawkins) played defensive end at Western Carolina (2012-15).

However, the most accomplished athlete in the family is Gia’s father and Aeneas’ grandfather is Gia’s father and Aeneas’ grandfather (Doug Wilkerson), who was an All-American at North Carolina Central (1965-69) and drafted in the first round (No. 14) of the 1970 NFL Draft, then played 15 seasons in the NFL (1970-84) at both defensive end and offensive guard. While playing primarily with the San Diego Chargers, Wilkerson made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro. He was later inducted into the San Diego Chargers and NC Central Halls of Fame. Wilkerson, who died in February 2021, also served as Los Angeles Raiders strength and conditioning coach (1990-94) and a St. Louis Rams executive (1995-96). Peebles played baseball and basketball throughout childhood.

Aeneas Peebles picked up his nickname “Fub” as a baby, because he was fat and chubby. Born into a football family, he developed a passion for the he developed a passion for the sport at a young age, first playing flag football and then Pop Warner. Peebles attended Knightdale High (east of Raleigh), where he was a four-year varsity letterman. After seeing action his first two seasons, he had his breakout as a junior defensive lineman (89 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two blocked field goals). As a senior, Peebles was named 2019 4A defensive player of the year and led Knightdale to a 7-5 record and a spot in the 4A state playoffs. He finished his final season with 106 tackles, 21 sacks and two blocked field goals. Peebles also lettered two years in baseball, playing right field and third base.

A three-star recruit, Peebles was the 67th-ranked defensive tackle in the 2020 recruiting class and the No. 22 recruit in North Carolina. His recruitment started to pick up after his junior season with several FCS (James Madison, NC Central, The Citadel) and FBS (Central Michigan, Louisville and Navy) offers. Peebles was tempted to follow in his father’s footsteps and play at Appalachian State, but he was drawn to head coach David Cutcliffe and committed to Duke in June 2019. He was the second-ranked recruit in Cutcliffe’s 2020 class (behind Graham Barton). Peebles graduated with a degree in sociology (Dec. 2023) and entered the transfer portal after four seasons with the Blue Devils. He committed to Virginia Tech for his final season. Peebles accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl

 

[58crash]

If you are a subscriber to The Athletic, you are familiar with the work of Dane Brugler with the draft. He puts together an incredible amount of research on something like 700 prospects in what is called The Beast. Everything from stats, strengths/weaknesses, personal background. This week he did a seven round mock, and here is who he had Denver taking.

1. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
2. Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
3. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
4. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Va Tech
6. Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
6. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
6. Marci Harris, CB , California

A lot to like here. I don’t know much about Burch and the position may not be a priority, but if good enough teams can never have too many Edge players. I would feel pretty good for sure about it.

This Draft looks like a winner i could also see a MLB drafted as well ...5 of them are depth.

 

[58crash]

RB Chubb IMO we would go after this draft .if we did not draft two RB's

 

[Draft Crazy]

I don't like Peebles in Round 4 at all. The guys measureables suck and you better be super athletically with his size which he isn't.

No secret I love Hampton. I like Burch. I like Ferguson. Restrepo in Round 6 is a major steal and between he and Hampton I am going to walk away happy. Kendall is a solid Center. Picked him up undrafted with the Broncos in my mock and I don't see him going undrafted in reality.

Wonder why he calls Marcus Harris "Marci"

Anyway, enough mocks, lets get to reality.

 

[MileHigh64]

If you are a subscriber to The Athletic, you are familiar with the work of Dane Brugler with the draft. He puts together an incredible amount of research on something like 700 prospects in what is called The Beast. Everything from stats, strengths/weaknesses, personal background. This week he did a seven round mock, and here is who he had Denver taking.

1. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
2. Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
3. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
4. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Va Tech
6. Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
6. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
6. Marci Harris, CB , California

A lot to like here. I don’t know much about Burch and the position may not be a priority, but if good enough teams can never have too many Edge players.

I think this would be a rock-solid draft for the Broncos. Immediate impact skill players + developmental depth. Really good draft, when added to the Broncos off season.

 

[cdumler7]

I like the first 3 picks of the draft pretty well. Hampton obviously solves our biggest issue left on this roster and makes teams have to fear our run game. I probably like Burch a little more than most for a couple of reasons. 1) He brings size to the edge room. I keep thinking of the Baltimore game and the Bills game where they dominated up front and the Broncos just couldn't do much. Burch coming in at 290 lbs. on the edge offering some ability against the pass and the ability to hold down the edge in the run game would solve one of our biggest weaknesses up front last year. He also has that ability to kick inside so let's say we lose JFM next year then Burch can help negate some of that loss. 2) I love his play awareness. Wasn't fooled by play action. Sniffed out a few screen passes. And does a great job keeping his eyes looking up to know where the ball is. You don't see him miss many plays to be had.

Ferguson to the TE room obviously would make that one of the most improved rooms in all of football with him and Engram.

I love the Restrepo pick later for sure. The rest don't move the needle a whole lot but most plays on day 3 are not going to get me jumping for joy thinking the Broncos really found someone. I have some names I really like for day 3, but mostly if they add some nice depth I will be a happy camper.

 

[cdumler7]

I think the big question with every draft is do you think you found 3 starters...Hampton is an obvious yes. I would say the same thing for Ferguson here in a couple of years. Berch I'm not 100% sure exactly what all his role will be, but he will probably be getting at least 50% of the snaps on defense. Restrepo is the other one I could see us calling a starter in a year or two.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I like the first 3 picks of the draft pretty well. Hampton obviously solves our biggest issue left on this roster and makes teams have to fear our run game. I probably like Burch a little more than most for a couple of reasons. 1) He brings size to the edge room. I keep thinking of the Baltimore game and the Bills game where they dominated up front and the Broncos just couldn't do much. Burch coming in at 290 lbs. on the edge offering some ability against the pass and the ability to hold down the edge in the run game would solve one of our biggest weaknesses up front last year. He also has that ability to kick inside so let's say we lose JFM next year then Burch can help negate some of that loss. 2) I love his play awareness. Wasn't fooled by play action. Sniffed out a few screen passes. And does a great job keeping his eyes looking up to know where the ball is. You don't see him miss many plays to be had.

Ferguson to the TE room obviously would make that one of the most improved rooms in all of football with him and Engram.

I love the Restrepo pick later for sure. The rest don't move the needle a whole lot but most plays on day 3 are not going to get me jumping for joy thinking the Broncos really found someone. I have some names I really like for day 3, but mostly if they add some nice depth I will be a happy camper.

We see pretty similar with this mock.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I have a problem with Peebles in Round 4. I don’t see him being effective at the next level. Feels like an Elway type of pick.