8 NFL Draft Prospects Denver Broncos Should Be Watching at Combine
The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on Tuesday from Indianapolis, and teams will officially start evaluating players for the NFL draft.
Here is an events schedule for the combine, via ESPN.com.
With free agency still to come, the Denver Broncos could be searching for players to fill in at multiple positions in the draft. The team likely needs the most help at offensive line, tight end and linebacker; however, it must carefully consider each prospect.
Here are some players the Broncos should be paying extra attention to at those positions, as well as some others where Denver could gain an upper hand.
Nick O'Leary, Tight End, Florida State
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The Broncos need to select a tight end in the draft; there isn't much question about that.
While other teams may beat the Broncos to the punch by selecting Maxx Williams and Clive Walford, Nick O'Leary is a guy the Broncos should have a chance to grab.
He had a good collegiate career at Florida State, improving his numbers each season. He also has perhaps the best pair of hands of any tight end in this draft.
He is a good route-runner and has adequate blocking skills, though he could improve in that area.
Denver scouts should keep a close eye on O'Leary at the combine. If he shows enough quickness, he may be a great addition to the team, especially if Julius Thomas goes elsewhere in free agency.
Benardrick McKinney, Linebacker, Mississippi State
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Benardrick McKinney is massive for a linebacker. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, he is also a freakish athlete.
The Broncos have some solid linebackers on the team, but their depth was tested last year when Danny Trevathan and Nate Irving suffered season-ending injuries. Irving is also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
Adding more depth at linebacker is something the Broncos strongly need to consider, especially with new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips installing a 3-4 defense.
McKinney is the kind of linebacker who can thrive in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He is adept at playing inside and defending the run, but he can also rush off the edge as well.
"Mike Mayock of http://t.co/37lSoMsPgo suggest Benardrick McKinney could be a second rounder.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) February 16, 2015"
McKinney needs to show the ability to recognize and diagnose plays, and the Broncos will also want to see what his pass-coverage skills look like.
If the Broncos could find McKinney at the bottom of the second round, selecting him wouldn't be a bad option.
Durell Eskridge, Safety, Syracuse
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The Broncos need to prepare for Rahim Moore playing elsewhere next season, because he will likely get bigger offers on the open market than the Broncos can afford.
If that happens, they will be looking for his replacement in the draft.
Durell Eskridge has experience at both the free safety and cornerback positions while playing at Syracuse. He has good ball skills and is a willing and able tackler.
The Broncos could slide Kayvon Webster over to safety if they lose Moore, but they will need to find a safety who can contribute early on in the season.
"Watching full game of #Syracuse vs #Clemson... went into it really for Beasley and Jarrett, but Durell Eskridge keeps grabbing my attention
— Emmanual Benton (@Manny_PPI) February 13, 2015"
Eskridge could fill that role, particularly if he can learn to take better angles in the open field.
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Jordan Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma
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The Broncos used a first-round pick to draft a defensive tackle in 2013. That was Sylvester Williams, who hasn't worked out so well.
Would they take the chance on another defensive tackle in the first round? Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips could be available.
Should Terrance Knighton leave via free agency, Phillips would be an ideal replacement.
At Oklahoma, he played nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, becoming a disruptive player who destroyed many plays up front.
Phillips shows great strength when defending the run. Against the pass, he doesn't just take up space; he pushes linemen backward and routinely applies pressure on the quarterback.
"Always a player that does more for himself at Combine than he did on the field in college...That might be Jordan Phillips this year
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) February 16, 2015"
Running a 3-4 defense, the Broncos would be happy to have him land in their lap at the bottom of the first round.
Ereck Flowers, Tackle, Miami
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The Broncos will almost certainly address the offensive line this offseason, and finding another quality tackle should be high on their list of priorities.
If they're successful, they could move Louis Vasquez back to guard, where he is much more effective.
Ereck Flowers from Miami could be the solution.
He is a strong, agile player who could be a fixture at right tackle for many years to come. If and when Ryan Clady's tenure comes to an end, Flowers could easily move over to left tackle.
The Broncos would have to get lucky to see Flowers slip to them at No. 28 in the first round, but they should be looking at him at the combine in order to see how the rest of the offensive linemen stack up.
Tyler Lockett, Wide Receiver, Kansas State
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The Broncos may not necessarily need to draft a wide receiver this year, but there is a lot to like about Kevin Lockett out of Kansas State.
He could fill a role as an additional slot receiver, particularly if Denver does not re-sign Wes Welker. The Broncos need to see what they have in Cody Latimer next year, but drafting a player like Lockett would allow them to move on from Andre Caldwell.
Teams may shy away from Lockett due to his small stature (5'9", 190 pounds), but he has the ability to beat defenses deep. He is also a tough player despite his size who is able to fight for the ball.
But what separates Lockett as it relates to the Broncos is his ability to return kicks and punts. He is arguably the best return man in the draft, and that is something the Broncos sorely missed last season.
Lockett could add depth at the wide receiver spot while filling a need on special teams. He should be on Denver's radar at the combine.
Gerod Holliman, Safety, Louisville
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Up next is another safety and extremely talented player.
Gerod Holliman seems like one of the biggest boom-or-bust players in this draft, but his potential is intriguing.
In 2014, he intercepted 14 passes at Louisville. He has some serious range and plays well in coverage.
But he has one question mark, and it's a big one—his ability to tackle. Holliman is not just bad at tackling—he almost looks as though he doesn't want to engage in tackling.
That could be a huge problem at the next level. Still, he could have several potential suitors who want a player who can track down the ball in the secondary.
The Broncos will want to keep an eye on Holliman at the combine to see how he scores, but they'll also have to weigh the risk versus the reward if they are serious about drafting him.
B.J. Finney, Center, Kansas State
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Denver simply needs to find a way to draft B.J. Finney.
The team could use a new center, and drafting Finney would allow it to move on from both Manny Ramirez and Will Montgomery, two average players.
Finney is a stout, physical player who is strong in the running game. He uses his hands well and displays good footwork. On top of that, the 52 straight games he started at Kansas State were proof of his durability.
Denver will want to focus on his quickness in the drills at the combine, but he would be an excellent pick in the fifth round.
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