Here are 25 top prospects Denver needs to evaluate
The Broncos will be allowed to meet 45 draft prospects for 18 minutes apiece at this week’s scouting combine. Armed with nine picks, a number that could increase to as many as 12 based on the compensatory selections that haven’t been announced yet, the Broncos will have plenty of chances to fill their myriad needs.
Here is a cheat sheet of 25 players they should become more familiar with via private interviews and the on-field workouts from Thursday-Sunday:
Receivers
The Broncos will be linked to every big-name receiver in free agency and on the trade market next month. Regardless, going receiver at any point in the first three rounds makes sense to join a young group led by Courtland Sutton.
Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State: In 25 games over two years for the Sun Devils, he had 97 catches (11 touchdowns) and averaged 11.7 yards on 25 punt returns.
KJ Hamler, Penn State: In two years (26 games) for the Nittany Lions, he caught 98 passes for 1,658 yards (13 touchdowns) and also returned kicks and punts.
Tee Higgins, Clemson: Higgins caught 59 passes apiece in his final two years for the Tigers (25 touchdowns). Listed at 6-foot-3, he would give the Broncos another tall option opposite Sutton.
CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma: If he’s available at No. 15, Lamb makes sense. He finished his Sooners career with 173 catches for 3,292 yards, 32 touchdowns and 14 100-game games.
James Proche, SMU: Sutton’s college teammate, Proche took over the No. 1 spot in 2018 and had seasons of 93 and 111 catches (27 touchdowns).
Jalen Reagor, TCU: Impressive game highlights, but will there be concern about his dip in production from his sophomore season (72 catches-1,061 yards-nine touchdowns) to 2019 (43-611-5)?
Henry Ruggs, Alabama: By most accounts, he should be available at No. 15. He caught 98 catches (24 touchdowns) in 41 career games.
Offensive linemen
Could the depth of the receiver class — not much of a drop-off from round 1 to rounds 2-3 — allow the Broncos to go offensive line with their first pick? Possibly. They could be looking for an immediate right guard starter, a new center if Connor McGovern doesn’t re-sign and an eventual replacement for left tackle Garett Bolles or right tackle Ja’Wuan James.
Mekhi Becton, LT, Louisville: Listed at 6-foot-7 and 365 pounds, Becton doesn’t turn 21 until a week before the draft. He started all 33 games of his Cardinals career
Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin: A first-team All-America selection and Rimington Award winner (nation’s best center) in 2019, Biadasz started all 41 games of his career. He had hip surgery last offseason.
Ben Bredeson, G, Michigan: An offensive tackle who moved to guard in college, Bredeson (6-4/320), started 46 of 50 games at left guard and was third-team All-America as a senior.
Josh Jones, LT, Houston: A strong Senior Bowl Week has Jones gaining traction in the mock draft community. He was a fouryear starter for the Cougars.
Shane Lemieux, LG, Oregon: It was 52 games, 52 starts at left guard for Lemieux, a two-time first-team all-Pac 12 selection.
Flip him to right guard and he can start right away.
Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan: He started five games at right guard in 2017 before moving to center for two years.
Terence Steele, RT, Texas Tech: A four-year starter, he began his Red Raiders career with 10 starts at left tackle before moving to the right side.
Logan Stenberg, G, Kentucky: A three-year starter at left guard (39 consecutive games), Stenberg did not allow a sack last year and had 95 knockdown blocks.
Calvin Throckmorton, G/OT, Oregon: He started at four different positions during his 52-game Ducks career, but mostly at right tackle. He practiced at center, right guard and right tackle during Shrine Game workouts.
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: Projected as a first-round pick, Wirfs was primarily a right tackle although he did start three games at left tackle in 2019.
Defensive tackles
The Broncos’ free-agent list at defensive line includes ends Derek Wolfe and Adam Gotsis and end/ tackle Shelby Harris. Nose tackle Mike Purcell is a restricted free agent. Adding a physical runstopper should be a consideration.
Derrick Brown, Auburn: The 325-pound Brown had 170 tackles, including 33 1/2 for lost yardage, in 53 games for the Tigers.
Jordan Elliott, Missouri: Elliott (6-4/325) played his freshman year at Texas and transferred to Missouri. He was second-team All-America in 2019 with 44 tackles and 2½ sacks.
Inside linebackers
The Broncos have yet to announce a decision on Todd Davis’ contract option, but even if that is picked up, they should be looking at inside linebackers who can play well in coverage.
Scoota Harris, Arkansas: Harris (6-0/245) led the Razorbacks in tackles his final three years (115, 118 and 101, respectively).
Shaq Quarterman, Miami: The first player in Miami history to start 52 games and not miss a start, Quarterman finished his career with 356 tackles.
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson: Only a bold move by general manager John Elway to move up will give the Broncos a chance at the dynamic Simmons, who may not get past Jacksonville at No. 9. Part linebacker/part defensive back, Simmons had 253 tackles in 44 games.
Defensive backs
The Broncos need to address their secondary. Chris Harris is a free agent and Bryce Callahan (foot) didn’t play a snap last year.
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State: A three-year starter for the Buckeyes, Arnette (6-0/195) had five interceptions and 140 tackles in 53 games.
Julian Blackmon, S/CB, Utah: He checks the versatility box craved by Broncos coach Vic Fangio. Blackmon (6-1/204) started two years at cornerback (five interceptions) and moved to free safety (60 tackles) as a senior.
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU: Fulton (6-0/194) started two years for the Tigers and had 63 tackles, two interceptions and 23 total pass breakups.
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson: Intercepted five passes over his two years as a starter (30 games) and saw experience in a variety of coverages and techniques.