Denver Broncos: Ideal Draft Picks for Each Position of Need
At the very least, the Denver Broncos will be in the market for a new head coach and a new defensive coordinator, following ESPN's report that Jack Del Rio is set to be hired by the Oakland Raiders for their head coaching job.
There could very well be more on John Elway's plate soon in terms of coaches leaving, and then there is the matter of Peyton Manning's future as the team's quarterback.
Add to that the list of key pending free agents and the Broncos are about to embark on one of the most interesting offseasons in team history.
With that said, it's never too early to start forecasting the NFL draft, which takes place April 30-May 2 in Chicago.
Here, we will take a first look at some players the Broncos could be targeting with their draft picks.
Taking into consideration the team's draft position (they currently hold the No. 28 selection in the first round) as well as positions of need, we will identify players who could fit into the Broncos' system.
Some of those positions of need could be created by players leaving via free agency, and some could be spots where the team already had a weakness.
This list is not to say that the Broncos will be able to draft all of these players, but instead, a list of players who would be an ideal fit if they are available when the Broncos' turn to make a selection comes up.
With that, here are six players the Broncos should consider.
Shaq Thompson, Linebacker, Washington
1 of 6
The Broncos would need a bit of good fortune to have Shaq Thompson fall to the bottom of the first round, but they couldn't pass him up if he did. Though the team watched Brandon Marshall play very well this season and will get both Danny Trevathan and Nate Irving back from injuries, Thompson is just too good of an athlete to miss out on.
In 2014 at the University of Washington, Thompson scored four defensive touchdowns. But his versatility is clearly evident, as he also ran for 456 yards on only 61 carries.
Though he could probably play running back in the NFL, Thompson will be the defensive playmaker teams have been hoping to find for years. Adding a guy like Thompson to the defense would be an immediate complement to the secondary they have, as well as their pass rush.
Most importantly, Thompson could be the linebacker Denver used in pass coverage, something they have been sorely lacking from the position.
He is a very smart, aggressive player, and he is an excellent tackler, particularly in the open field.
Teams may shy away from him due to his size (6'2", 231 lbs), which could allow him to fall down the board. With a defense that already includes Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, Thompson would a great addition.
John Elway likes to make moves that show how serious the team is about winning a Super Bowl, and selecting the player who is arguably the best athlete in the upcoming draft would be just that.
Jamil Douglas, Guard, Arizona State
2 of 6
No matter how you look at it, the Broncos need to seriously address the offensive line. Jamil Douglas of Arizona State is the first of a few offensive linemen on this list.
Douglas is a strong, athletic offensive lineman who played four positions along the offensive line in college. Though he'll need to be developed as a run-blocker, he is an above-average pass-blocker who is quick off the snap and has great movement.
He projects best as a guard in the NFL, and while he would have to grow into the position, he is a very good prospect due to his football instincts.
"Jamil Douglas earned #SunDevils offensive lineman of the year honors, as well as top weight room performer #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/452ctGvud7
— Arizona Sports Hub (@SportsHubAZ) December 15, 2014"
Douglas will turn into a solid professional football player whom the Broncos might be able to obtain in the fourth round.
On top of that, Orlando Franklin will soon become an unrestricted free agent.
T.J. Yeldon, Running Back, Alabama
3 of 6
Who was the first running back in Alabama history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons at the school?
It wasn't Mark Ingram, it wasn't Trent Richardson, and it wasn't Eddie Lacy. It was T.J. Yeldon.
This will be an excellent draft for running backs, which could allow the talented Yeldon to fly under the radar. In three seasons at Alabama, he scored a total of 39 touchdowns.
The Broncos watched C.J. Anderson step up in a big way down the stretch this season, but there has to be growing concern with the rest of the depth at running back. Ronnie Hillman ran for just 434 yards on the season, and Montee Ball missed most of it due to injuries.
Would the Broncos spend another high draft pick on a running back? Yeldon might be too good to overlook.
He'll have to prove he can be a good pass protector as well as catch the ball out of the backfield at the next level, but he possesses abilities that no other running back in this draft does.
First, he's a taller back at 6'2", but he has speed that will catch you off guard. He has a great burst and moves well laterally. Once in the open field, you likely won't catch him.
Yeldon could be available toward the end of the second round, which is where the Broncos would have a chance to grab him.
They could do a lot worse than selecting him there.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
B.J. Finney, Center, Kansas State
4 of 6
No matter how you look at it, the Broncos are going to need more help at the center position. Will Montgomery will be an unrestricted free agent. Manny Ramirez is not the long-term answer either.
Drafting a center is never a sexy pick, but when you can find one who could fill a need for many years to come, you have to consider it.
B.J. Finney was a four-year starter at center for Kansas State. At 6'4" and 303 pounds, he is not easily pushed around, and he is very good in pass protection.
A former walk-on, Finney was an All-Big 12 selection multiple times.
"Of the interior OL prospects on the West squad, only #KansasState C B.J. Finney has impressed IMO through two days #ShrinePractice
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 13, 2015"
Whether the Broncos re-sign Montgomery or choose to move Ramirez back over to the center position, they'll need a guy they can develop for the future. With Finney, they'd be getting a very intelligent and athletic player who could be molded into a very good NFL center, and he could be drafted in the fourth or even fifth round.
Justin Hardy, Wide Receiver, East Carolina
5 of 6
Consistency, hard work and sheer desire. That's what teams will get from wide receiver Justin Hardy.
He also caught an eye-popping 376 passes in four seasons while at East Carolina. Just because many people may not have heard of him doesn't mean he can't come in and make an immediate impact at the professional level.
It's hard to imagine a scenario in which the Broncos won't retain soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Demaryius Thomas, but there is always the chance they won't. But even if they do bring Thomas back, the declining Wes Welker will be an unrestricted free agent as well.
Hardy could come in and be one of the best slot receivers in the NFL almost right away. He possesses a superb combination of good hands, quickness and great footwork.
He can make big plays after the catch as well.
However, the secret is likely out on Hardy following his performance against Florida in the Birmingham Bowl.
"I think a guy like #ECU WR Justin Hardy is more valuable then he is being portrayed to be. Solid slot WR to help mix w/ long threats.
— Doug Moore (@DMM0822) January 14, 2015"
Though East Carolina came out on the losing end of that game, Hardy caught 11 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Florida simply could not handle him.
He'll slowly rise up draft boards in the coming months, but the Broncos may be able to find him in the third round.
Daryl Williams, Tackle, Oklahoma
6 of 6
Daryl Williams, despite being 6'6" and 330 pounds, is a very athletically gifted offensive lineman. He also made 37 career starts at Oklahoma.
Williams has played both the right and left tackle positions, and given all of the issues the Broncos had after moving Louis Vasquez to right tackle this season, a guy like Williams could come in and be an instant contributor.
He is especially effective in the running game and regularly gets to the second level. He moves defenders off the ball very well and shows great intensity when engaging defenders.
Williams could be available at the end of the third round, and he would be an excellent choice at that spot.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
