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The road to the NFL Draft kicks into gear this week with the Senior Bowl.
Teams coached by the staffs from Carolina and Miami will lead three days of practice (Tuesday-Thursday) and Saturday’s game. A total of 135 players accepted invitations to participate.
New Broncos general manager George Paton will not make the trip, but the team will have nine scouts in Mobile, Ala.
Last year, current Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry and cornerbacks Essang Bassey and Michael Ojemudia played in the game on their way to being thirdround picks (Cushenberry/Ojemudia) and an undrafted find (Bassey).
Here are eight players for the Broncos to monitor this week:
Linebacker
Even if the Broncos keep outside linebacker Von Miller, he will be in the final year of his contract. Having an eye toward the present (pass-rush depth) and future (Miller’s eventual replacement), the Broncos should be on the look-out for an edge rusher. At inside linebacker, Justin Strnad will return from wrist surgery, but depth should be considered.
Carlos Basham
DE/OLB, Wake Forest Height/weight: 6-5/275
Key statistics: In 45 games, had 173 tackles, 20 ½ sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. … Was first-team All-ACC as a junior in 2019 (11 sacks among 18 tackles for lost yardage). … Limited to seven games as a senior (five sacks) and didn’t play after testing positive for COVID19 in late November.
Chazz Surratt
ILB, North Carolina Height/weight: 6-2/225
Key statistics: National High School Player of the Year as a quarterback (51 passing touchdowns/15 rushing touchdowns/30 consecutive wins). … Started seven games at quarterback as a freshman. … Tore wrist ligament in only game as a sophomore and moved to linebacker. … Had seasons of 115 and 91 tackles at inside linebacker (12½ sacks) in 24 games.
Cornerback
Calling all cornerbacks. Even if the Broncos go Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley or Alabama’s Patrick
Surtain at ninth overall, they should consider drafting multiple corners, specifically one who can contest routes on the outside since Bryce Callahan and/or Bassey can play the nickel.
Thomas Graham
CB, Oregon
Height/weight: 5-11/193
Key statistics: Started 39 of 40 career games for Ducks, totaling 182 tackles, eight interceptions and 40 pass break-ups. … Secondteam All-Pac 12 as a sophomore in 2018 (58 tackles, three interceptions). … Opted out of 2020 season.
Ambry Thomas
CB, Michigan
Height/weight: 6-0/182
Key statistics: Four-star high school recruit. … Scored touchdowns on interception, kickoff and punt returns as prep senior. … Started only one season at Michigan (2019) — 38 tackles/three interceptions in 13 games. … Opted out of 2020 season.
Safety
Not in the first or even the second round, but the Broncos should make safety depth a semipriority. Justin Simmons is a free agent and Kareem Jackson, if he returns, will be playing his age-33 season. Trey Marshall fought multiple injuries and Alijah Holder was used exclusively in dime personnel.
Richie Grant
S, Central Florida Height/weight: 6-0/194
Key statistics: Started 33 games of 45 games, totaling 290 tackles, 10 interceptions and six forced fumbles. … Three-time first-team All-AAC (2018-20). … Led UCF in tackles as a sophomore (109) and senior (72). … Third nationally in 2018 with six interceptions. … In 2020, led league with 5.4 solo tacklespergame.
Hamsah Nasirildeen
S, Florida State
Height/weight: 6-4/215
Key statistics: Four-star high school prospect who was top-10 safety nationally. … Started 19 games for Seminoles in four years. … Led FSU with 91 tackles in 2018, including four games of at least 10 stops. … Second-team AllACC as junior (team-best 101 tackles), but sustained ACL tear in final game. … Returned for final two games of 2020 (13 tackles).
Running back
Melvin Gordon’s potential three-game suspension could give the Broncos an out from his contract, which currently calls for a $9 million cap hit. Phillip Lindsay is a restricted free agent and coming off an injury-riddled 2020. It’s time to use a Day 3 pick on a running back who can play on all downs if called upon.
Khalil Herbert
RB, Virginia Tech Height/weight: 5-9/212
Key statistics: Three-star high school recruit who started career at Kansas. … Had seasons of 189 yards-three touchdowns, 663four and 499-five for Jayhawks (two 100-yard games, three games of at least 20 carries). … A graduate transfer for Virginia Tech, rushed 155 times for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns (six 100yard games, including five con- secutive to start year). … Caught 34 career passes.
Kylin Hill
RB, Mississippi State Height/weight: 5-11/215 Key statistics: Four-star high
school recruit and top-10 running back nationally. … In 40 college games, rushed 452 times for 2,535 yards and 16 touchdowns and caught 67 passes. … First-team
All-SEC in 2019 (1,350 yards, 10 touchdowns) after eight 100-yard games and six games of at least 20 carries. … Opted out of 2020 after three games.