Denver Broncos' NFL Draft Big Board: Position-by-Position Rankings

The countdown to the 2015 NFL draft is nearing its end, and the Denver Broncos, along with every other team in the league, are preparing their final big board for the draft.

Who is on it, and where are they ranked?

Whether teams go into the draft ready to fill positional needs or to grab the best player available, the big board is always consulted.

Taking into consideration the positions John Elway and his staff may be looking to fill in this draft, we have created a big board for each. Now, some of these players may seem out of reach in relation to where the Broncos are slated to pick, but the draft is loaded with possibilities.

Trades are always an option, and a team's phone rings countless times before and during the draft. In addition, it seems there is a marquee name that slips down the board each year.

Taking that into consideration, here is a look at some positions the Broncos may target in the draft, and the top 15 players at each.

Tackle

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Is there a bigger necessity in this draft than strengthening the offensive line? It has to be very high on the list. Fortunately for Denver, this draft is stacked with quality offensive tackles.

 1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa

Simply put, Brandon Scherff is an animal. He may be the strongest offensive lineman in this draft, and he's arguably the best run-blocker as well. Once he gets to the second level, it's all but over.

But not only can Scherff be an excellent drive blocker, he bullies defenders in pass protection.

There's nothing to dislike about Scherff's game. Any team looking for offensive linemen would be happy to land him.

2. Andrus Peat, Stanford

Andrus Peat is a monster of a man at 6'7" and 313 pounds. He's also wildly athletic.

On top of being big, Peat is well put together and quick off the snap. He mirrors defenders well and has the agility and balance to move pass-rushers off the edge out of the play.

Peat will excel as a pass-blocker at the next level, but he needs to get more aggressive in the running game.

3. La'el Collins, LSU

La'el Collins is another tackle who possesses impressive strength. You rarely see him get pushed back, and his first step is deceptively quick.

A team with two good tackles could even consider putting Collins at guard, where he can be integral to the running game. He opens the kind of holes that almost any running back can get a good chunk of yardage running through.

4. Jake Fisher, Oregon

Jake Fisher is the kind of player who will impress teammates with his work ethic. He plays to the end of the play.

Equipped with great strength and quick hands, Fisher is another tackle in this draft who will benefit the team that selects him in the running game. But can he hold up against the quick pass-rushers at the pro level? That's the big question.

5. D.J. Humphries, Florida

D.J. Humphries is a player who could definitely be available at No. 28 when the Broncos go on the clock.

Quick and supremely athletic, Humphries has long arms and good lateral agility to hold up well against the pass rush that the NFL will bring. He will be a long-term fixture at tackle for the team that drafts him.

He will have to prove to be durable, as that is a question mark surrounding him. He missed seven games during his final two seasons at Florida. The Denver Post's Troy Renck noted the Broncos' interest: 

"

Right tackle D.J. Humphries is a possibility for #broncos in first round if go for right tackle. He enjoyed strong pro day recently

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) April 14, 2015"

6. Ereck Flowers, Miami

Ereck Flowers is 6'6" and 329 pounds. He has the ability to be excellent in the running game due to a solid combination of strength and quickness.

If he is available at No. 28 in the first round, the Broncos will have to strongly consider taking him, though he may not be a great fit in the zone-blocking scheme.

7. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

A former defensive end converted to offensive tackle, T.J. Clemmings has the athletic ability of any tackle in this draft.

Clemmings is consistent and should receive high grades when teams examine his footwork. He may need more development for his game to transition to the pro level, but the upside is still worth a look in the first round.

8. Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State

9. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

10. Donovan Smith, Penn State

11. Daryl Williams, Oklahoma

12. Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin

13. Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma

14. Corey Robinson, South Carolina

15. Austin Shepherd, Alabama

Defensive Tackle

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With only Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin on the roster, defensive tackle is a position Denver almost certainly has to address in this draft.

1. Leonard Williams, USC

Leonard Williams is far and away the best defensive tackle in this draft, though he could also play defensive end. Some may feel he's the best overall player in the draft, too.

Williams made an immediate impact in college at USC, becoming the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2012.

With a lethal combination of speed and strength, many teams will find it difficult to contain Williams, who will be a first-day starter in the NFL.

Though the Broncos are probably like most teams and have Williams as their No. 1 defensive lineman, there is almost no scenario in which he would wind up in Denver.

2. Danny Shelton, Washington

A very physical player, Shelton eats up blocks and still makes plays. On top of that, he has the ability to rush the passer, as evidenced by the nine sacks he collected last season.

If the Broncos drafted Shelton, it would mean that he fell down the board or they traded up. Shelton has all the ability to be picked in the top 10.

3. Malcom Brown, Texas

Malcom Brown is a tough assignment for any offensive lineman, and he can wreak havoc in the opposing backfield.

With speed to go with his size (6'2", 319 lbs), Brown put together a solid 2014 season at Texas. He totaled 71 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

There is a slight chance he could fall to the Broncos in the first round.

4. Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Eddie Goldman is the first player on this list whom the Broncos should have a legitimate chance to draft.

At 6'4" and 336 pounds, Goldman is one of the bigger defensive tackles in this draft. Big and physical, Goldman is also quick and disruptive.

Florida State had many close calls before advancing to the first College Football Playoff last season, but perhaps no play was bigger than the fumble he forced against Clemson when the Tigers were in position for a field goal that could have won it.

5. Carl Davis, Iowa

Carl Davis is a player some teams may consider a hidden gem, while others will steer away from due to a perception that he may be lazy.

On the field, Davis has a solid skill set and rushes the passer as well as any defensive tackle in the draft.

He will have to be drafted by a team with a veteran coaching staff in place, one that can get the most out of him and keep his attitude in check.

6. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

If not for his injury history, Jordan Phillips would be much higher on this list and almost certainly a first-round pick.

Phillips played nose tackle in a 3-4 defense at Oklahoma and because of that, he could be an attractive option for the Broncos, particularly because he played the position well.

Strong and amazingly athletic, Phillips can stop the run and get after the quarterback. He shows a knack for batting balls down at the line of scrimmage.

However, an injury history related to his back has to be a concern. Podcast host David Kromelow noted his concerns: 

"

That said, if Broncos take Jordan Phillips, I'd call it a blown pick. Too raw and too injury-prone

— David Kromelow (@dkrom59) April 27, 2015"

7. Grady Jarrett, Clemson

8. Michael Bennett, Ohio State

9. Xavier Cooper, Washington State

10. Gabe Wright, Auburn

11. Marcus Hardison, Arizona State

12. Christian Covington, Rice

13. Tyeler Davison, Fresno State

14. Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Southern Mississippi

15. Darius Philon, Arkansas

Guard

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After losing Orlando Franklin to free agency this offseason, the Broncos are left with little depth at the guard spot.

Louis Vasquez, Shelley Smith, Ben Garland and Jon Halapio are the team's only guards, though Manny Ramirez can play the position if he remains with the team.

1. Laken Tomlinson, Duke

A four-year starter at Duke, Laken Tomlinson is an intelligent football player who will make an excellent guard at the pro level.

He drive-blocks well and rarely gets pushed in the opposite direction. With his quick burst, Tomlinson will aid the running game of any team that drafts him.

The Broncos would be fortunate to land him.

2. A.J. Cann, South Carolina

A balanced and consistent player, A.J. Cann is the type of guard who will open up big holes for his running backs. He displays good hand use and immense power.

Some experts may rank him as the best guard in this draft, and seeing him go early in the second round would not be a surprise.

3. Tre' Jackson, Florida State

Tre' Jackson has impressive natural gifts, from his surprising speed to his excellent lower-body strength. He will still need to improve upon his technique at the next level, however. 

Jackson has the ability to get to the second level and seal defenders in the running game; he just needs to show he can do so on a more consistent basis than he did at Florida State.

4. Ali Marpet, Hobart

How many people have even heard of Hobart prior to this draft? Probably not many. That is part of the reason why Ali Marpet is easily one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft.

This guy shows textbook technique as a blocker and is a hard worker. A team who isn't afraid to take a chance on him could end up getting one of the biggest steals of the draft. 

Other teams may shy away because, well, he played at Hobart. The competition they faced at the Division III level wasn't all that tough. Bleacher Report's Scott Carasik highlighted potential history:

"

Ali Marpet is going to be taken in the 2nd round to become the highest selected DIII player in NFL history. #VaultMe

— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) April 28, 2015"

5. Mitch Morse, Missouri

Balanced, patient and consistent are three good traits to describe Mitch Morse out of Missouri.

He can seal defenders or just push them backward in the running game, but his quickness to hold up against some of the NFL's faster pass-rushers may be called into question.

6. Arie Kouandjio, Alabama

7. John Miller, Louisville

8. Jeremiah Poutasi, Utah

9. Josue Matias, Florida State

10. Jamil Douglas, Arizona State

11. Mark Glowinski, West Virginia

12. Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M

13. Trenton Brown, Florida

14. Robert Myers, Tennessee State

15. Cody Wichmann, Fresno State

Free Safety

Heather Ainsworth/Associated Press

With Rahim Moore now a member of the Houston Texans, the Broncos must work to find their free safety of the future. It doesn't appear that player is currently on the team.

1. Damarious Randall, Arizona State

Damarious Randall offers perhaps the most potential of any free safety in this draft. He is exactly what you want in a free safety.

Highly aggressive and very quick, Randall has decent ball skills but great anticipation. He also uses tremendous angles and reads quarterbacks well.

He could be an option for the Broncos if he falls to the bottom of the second round.

2. Derron Smith, Fresno State

Though the angles he takes are nowhere near as good as Randall's, Derron Smith is a highly athletic player who is also good at studying the quarterback. He displays the ability to go up and win jump balls.

His size (5'10", 200 lbs) could be an issue for interested teams.

3. Adrian Amos, Penn State

Adrian Amos has tremendous ball skills and is a versatile player. He could contribute on special teams as a return man as well.

He isn't a great tackler—that will need to be worked on. 

4. Durell Eskridge, Syracuse

Durell Eskridge is a real possibility for the Broncos as a pick in the middle rounds of this draft. He brings a terrific combination of ball skills, aggressiveness and tackling ability.

Allowing him to develop behind David Bruton or whoever else may play free safety this season would make a lot of sense.

5. Cody Prewitt, Mississippi

Cody Prewitt was a two-time member of the All-SEC squad, and with good reason. For a free safety, he plays the run as well as any free safety in this draft and shows excellent form as a tackler.

Prewitt also displays good play recognition and the ability to force turnovers. In his college career, he had 12 interceptions to go along with five forced fumbles.

He would be a great option in the later rounds of the draft for the Broncos.

6. Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State

7. Chris Hackett, TCU

8. Gerod Holliman, Louisville

9. Anthony Harris, Virginia

10. Cedric Thompson, Minnesota

11. Nick Perry, Alabama

12. Ladarius Gunter, Miami

13. Jermaine Whitehead, Auburn

14. Brian Suite, Utah State

15. Dean Marlowe, James Madison

Tight End

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The Broncos have brought in Owen Daniels and James Casey as free agents this offseason, two tight ends who know Gary Kubiak and his offense very well. Still, adding another prospect to groom in the system is something for the team to consider, if it can find the right player in the right spot.

1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota

Maxx Williams (6'4", 249 lbs) is the best tight end in this draft, and it's not all that close. There isn't much to dislike about his game.

Williams has more athleticism than you'd expect to see out of a big tight end, but he can hurdle defenders as well as make the circus catch. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and he runs good routes.

Similar to Jeremy Shockey in his prime, he will lower his shoulder and just run through a defender.

There is a chance Williams could be on the board when the Broncos draft at No. 59 in the second round.

2. Clive Walford, Miami

Clive Walford is a likely second-round pick. An athletic tight end with a large catch radius, Walford has good hands and plenty of room to develop.

If drafted, the Broncos couldn't expect much out of him as a blocker. That is clearly an area Walford lacks in.

3. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State

Jeff Heuerman is the kind of player a coach loves to have on his team. His skill set is diverse, as he is adept as both a receiver and a blocker.

For the team willing to wait for the right time to pounce on a tight end after Williams and Walford are gone, Heuerman is a great selection.

4. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers

Tyler Kroft is another under-the-radar player who will bring a variety of skills to the team that picks him.

Though Kroft does display adequate blocking skills, he is a great receiver. In fact, his skills in that department are more like a slot receiver than a tight end, which is exactly what will make him a tough cover at the next level. 

Kroft would make an excellent fifth-round pick for the Broncos.

5. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame

Ben Koyack is exactly the type of player Kubiak loves to coach. At Notre Dame, he not only played tight end, but he lined up as an H-back or lead blocker in the backfield.

But in addition to his blocking skills, Koyack is an above-average receiver who can make plays in the open field.

He would be a sneaky pick on Day 3 of the draft.

6. MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois

7. Jesse James, Penn State

8. Nick O'Leary, Florida State

9. Blake Bell, Oklahoma

10. Wes Saxton, South Alabama

11. Nick Boyle, Delaware

12. C.J. Uzomah, Auburn

13. Rory Anderson, South Carolina

14. James O'Shaughnessy, Illinois State

15. E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State

Inside Linebacker

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Injuries to the linebacker position have hampered the Broncos in each of the past two seasons. Now, Brandon Marshall has undergone foot surgery. Finding a reliable, regular contributor in this draft at the inside linebacker position should be part of the team's discussions.

1. Eric Kendricks, UCLA

Eric Kendricks, the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks, appears to be the real deal. He has sideline-to-sideline speed to go along with the ability to drop back into pass coverage.

He should be a three-down linebacker in the NFL, and those players are precious commodities in today's NFL.

2. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

Like Kendricks, Benardrick McKinney should be a three-down player in the NFL who can also rush the quarterback.

Athletically gifted, McKinney also appears versatile enough to play multiple positions on the field. If the Broncos don't get the offensive lineman they want in the first round, McKinney could be a viable option.

3. Denzel Perryman, Miami

Denzel Perryman is a tackling machine. He has great burst and good instincts. Despite being just 5'11", Perryman can handle slot receivers in coverage and could be a team's inside linebacker for a number of years due to his durability.

4. Stephone Anthony, Clemson

At 6'3" and 243 pounds, Stephone Anthony has the size of a more prototypical inside linebacker.

Showing good play recognition, Anthony is an aggressive tackler, able to shed blocks to meet the ball-carrier. He displayed some ability to drop into coverage in college, but that remains a question at the next level.

Still, he should have no problem becoming a productive player for the team that selects him.

5. Paul Dawson, TCU

Paul Dawson shows good instincts and may be good enough in coverage to be a three-down player in the NFL. Speed is Dawson's strongest asset, and his change-of-direction speed in coverage is impressive.

On the downside, Dawson is not nearly physical enough to play the position with the consistency the NFL demands. He will need to learn to use his strength to avoid blockers rather than trying to dance around them.

6. Ramik Wilson, Georgia

7. Taiwan Jones, Michigan State

8. Ben Heeney, Kansas

9. Bryce Hager, Baylor

10. Damien Wilson, Minnesota

11. Martrell Spaight, Arkansas

12. Hayes Pullard, USC

13. Zach Vigil, Utah State

14. Trey DePriest, Alabama

15. Jeff Luc, Cincinnati