The Denver Broncos held their pre-draft press conference today, and we learned some interesting nuggets from the Broncos’ decision makers. General manager George Paton told reporters that the Broncos are focused on a total of six players who they believe will be there at pick 62.
Sean Payton, George Paton, and the rest of the Broncos coaches and staff have been hunkered down preparing for the draft, and apparently narrowed down their second-round pick to 6 players. We can assume that those six players will likely come from the tight end, running back, linebacker, and the offensive and defensive line positions, but who those players are is the big question.
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Using The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s draft rankings and what we know about the Broncos, I am going to try to figure out who those six prospects could be.
Tight End
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Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
Eli Stowers has been connected to the Broncos throughout this draft process, and he fits that ‘Joker’ archetype that Sean Payton looks for. However, he’s more of a wide receiver than a tight end, and we saw the Broncos struggle to utilize Evan Engram, who has a similar skill set, effectively last season.
Max Klare is another receiving threat at tight end, but he is more well-rounded than Stowers and seems like a realistic option for the Broncos. Blocking isn’t a strength, but he can survive out there while also being a receiving threat at tight end, which is something the Broncos desperately need. He makes a lot of sense for the Broncos.
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Georgia’s Oscar Delp doesn’t have the college production you look for, but the talent and receiving ability is hard to ignore. His athletic traits match Stowers and Klare, but he is a much better blocker than both and is another player I could see the Broncos having a lot of interest in.
Running Back
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Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
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Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr.
Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price is likely the RB2 in this draft class, which would give the Broncos a solid RB3 and insurance behind JK Dobbins. However, there is a good chance that Price goes well before the Broncos pick at 62, so he may not be a realistic option or one of the players the Broncos feel will be available when they’re on the clock.
Mike Washington Jr. is a big and very athletic running back who wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has 4.33 speed at 223 pounds and will be a potential home run threat whenever he touches the ball. However, he doesn’t have the pass-blocking or third-down traits you look for in a running back, so he may not be what the Broncos are looking for behind JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
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Linebacker
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Texas Anthony LB Hill Jr.
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Missouri LB Josiah Trotter
I wanted to include Jacob Rodriguez and CJ Allen, but it’s unlikely that either will make it to pick 62. Both are potential trade-up candidates if they slip.
Jake Golday reminds me a lot of Drew Sanders as a prospect. Similar profiles, build, size, and skill set, and if they liked Sanders, they may like Golday. I don’t mean the Sanders comp as a negative either. He has good size, good traits, pass-rush upside, and a lot of talent, and could be a fun developmental piece for the Broncos.
I personally don’t see Anthony Hill Jr. slipping this far, but if he does, he makes a lot of sense for the Broncos. His ability to blitz and get after the passer fits what Vance Joseph loves to do, and he just seems like a perfect fit for the Broncos’ defense.
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Josiah Trotter is a downhill thumper who would instantly improve the Broncos run defense. We saw them struggle at stopping the run vs. the Bills in the postseason twice now, so adding a player like this makes sense. His coverage ability is not great, but that’s not what you’re drafting him for.
Defensive Line
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Missouri DT Chris McClellan
Georgia’s Christen Miller is a trade-up candidate to watch, but will likely be a top 45 selection.
Caleb Banks has first-round size and potential, but his play and injury concerns could have him slipping to the Broncos in the second round. He has struggled with a foot injury and suffered a broken foot at the Combine, but the size, length, athleticism, and talent are hard to ignore. He could be worth the risk here for the Broncos, who are looking to replace John Franklin-Myers.
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Lee Hunter offers little pass rush, but he is a wide and stout nose tackle who could help the Broncos run defense. I don’t personally believe this is the type of player they are looking for, but he would add some size and run-stopping ability to the Broncos’ defense.
It might be a tad early for McClellan, but he fits what the Broncos like and is a player they met with during the pre-draft process. He would add some depth to their defensive line.
Offensive Line
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Oregon G Emmanuel Pregnon
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Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge
I don’t see many tackles who could go in this range, but there are three plug-and-play guards who could interest the Broncos. Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge, and Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.
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Veteran Ben Powers is in the final year of his deal and could be put on the block if they draft one of these three blockers. The Broncos put an emphasis on improving their offensive line, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see them add one here.
Wildcards
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Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Scott
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Georgia State WR Ted Hurst
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Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore
Nobody anticipated the Broncos going cornerback last season, and there’s always a chance they surprise us again with pick 62 this year.
With Jonah Elliss moving to linebacker, the Broncos could target a pass rusher here. You can never have enough pass rushers, and you’re losing some depth here with Elliss playing linebacker. It wouldn’t be a total shock if they went edge rusher at pick 62. Names like R Mason Thomas, Dani Dennis-Scott, and Derrick Moore are some names to watch here.
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How about wide receiver? Courtland Sutton turns 31 this year with a large cap hit next year, and Marvin Mims Jr. is in the final year of his rookie deal. If a player like Chris Bell or Ted Hurst is available, could the Broncos look to add yet another playmaker? Unlikely, but not impossible.
Ja’Quan McMillian and Brandon Jones are pending free agents, and Miami’s Keionte Scott could be a potential replacement for either of them. He’s one of my favorite players in the draft, but safety or cornerback is not an immediate need for the Broncos. However, the Broncos could look towards the future and improve their secondary by selecting Scott.
LSU’s AJ Haulcy is a ball-hawking safety who could be a potential replacement for Brandon Jones and fill the void left behind PJ Locke, who signed with the Cowboys during free agency. He’s another player I really like, and safety could be a dark-horse pick for the Broncos at pick 62.
