Which Broncos rookie will be the steal of the 2016 NFL draft?
Kiz: The Broncos’ season opener against Carolina is more than 100 days away, and we barely got a glimpse of Denver’s rookie class during the first week of spring practice. But first impressions count. In a way-too-early assessment of Denver’s draft picks, name me a rookie who has a chance to make John Elway look brilliant for finding a gem that was undervalued by rival NFL general managers. Renck: Given where he was projected and where he was drafted, Devontae Booker should be the steal of the draft. The problem is the Broncos need C.J. Anderson to enjoy a career year for the offense to rebound. Hard to see Booker unseating the veteran. So for me, that leaves an obvious choice: safety Justin Simmons. He’s smart, talented, committed. He could not have been more impressive in his meetings with the media during the past few weeks. He gets it. And I think he’s got this as the Broncos’ ideal fill-in for David Bruton in pass coverage and on special teams.
Kiz: In the NFL, the fullback has gone the way of the dinosaur, except in the eyes of Broncos coach Gary Kubiak. While trying to build a scheme that would fit quarterback Peyton Manning’s eroding skills and lacking the personnel to utilize a fullback, we never really saw how Kubiak likes to play in 2015. But I think you will see more two-back sets from the Broncos in 2016. Renck: I like your thinking on the fullback position. I have talked to multiple fullbacks who excelled in the Kubiak offense. Every one of them said the Broncos can’t run at full strength without a fullback who can take on the extra defender in the eight-man box. Howard Griffith, a key piece in the Broncos’ Super Bowl runs in 1997 and 1998, said recently, “It’s easier said than done. It’s one of the toughest things for a fullback to truly be able to understand.” Lawrence Vickers, a former Colorado Buffalo and a starter for Kubiak in Houston, said the fullback becomes an extra lineman in every way, giving the running back more room to run and more confidence to gallop.
Kiz: In the sixth round, the Broncos took a prep wrestler who walked on to play football at Nebraska. So the backstory sounds good. Now let’s see if Andy Janovich, taken 176th in the draft, can make good. The Broncos need a fullback. Janovich is a hard body, built for blocking, with soft hands for catching passes out of the backfield. His talent for special-teams duty already has been praised by the Denver coaching staff. As a combo of Griffith and David Bruton, Janovich could be the steal of this draft. Renck: Here’s where I agree: Janovich has the clearest spot to a starting job of any rookie. He faces minimal competition unless Juwan Thompson can make the successful transition to fullback. So Janovich should get an opportunity. He will help. I just don’t see him helping more than Simmons, a ballhawk with terrific tackling ability in space. Simmons helps prevent a defensive regression. His impact will be easier to quantify and see. But for the Broncos, you are right: They need Janovich to be the steal to help the offense rebound in a large way.