5 Hidden Gems the Denver Broncos Should Have Noticed at the Combine
The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, and the Denver Broncos are getting a clearer picture of what their draft board will look like. They will be looking for college stars from big programs who could be solid picks early in the draft.
The Broncos will also be looking for under-the-radar prospects who came from small schools or had limited playing time during their college careers.
Denver has a proven track record of finding gems each year as late-round picks or undrafted free agents. Cornerback Chris Harris became a star for the Broncos—and one of the best cornerbacks in the game today—and he was an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011.
Running back C.J. Anderson has the makings of a star player, and Denver was able to pick him up as a college free agent in 2013.
There’s no doubt about it: The Broncos know how to discover sleepers in the incoming pool of college talent.
Here are five hidden gems the Denver Broncos should have noticed at the combine.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com. All combine results via NFL.com/Combine.
5. Wes Saxton, TE, South Alabama
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Tight end is a position of need for the Broncos this offseason. Three of their tight ends from last year (Julius Thomas, Virgil Green, Jacob Tamme) are all set to be unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins on March 10.
While they could bring Green (and maybe Tamme) back, it looks like Thomas may move on in free agency. The Broncos need to look to the draft for a tight end.
South Alabama tight end Wes Saxton is a player they could be taking a longer look at.
Saxton is a developmental prospect, but his upside is off the charts. Measuring in at 6’3”, 248 pounds, Saxton has no problem attacking the deep middle seam of the defense. He creates mismatches on the field and has a huge wingspan that makes him a great target near the sidelines or in the end zone.
He needs to work on becoming a better blocker if he wants to be more than a move tight end. His routes tend to round out, and he needs to show better willingness when running over the middle. Saxton’s skill set coming out of college is nearly identical to Green's when he came out of Nevada as a seventh-round pick in 2011.
Saxton finished as the second-fastest tight end in the 40-yard dash. His 4.65-second 40 trailed only MyCole Pruitt’s 4.58 time. He was also a top performer in the 60-yard shuttle at the combine.
The Broncos might address the tight end position in the first round with players like Maxx Williams (Minnesota) or Clive Walford (Miami). If they wait at the position, then Saxton would make a nice fit in the later rounds of the draft. At this time, NFLDraftScout.com has Saxton rated as a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
4. Ali Marpet, OG/C, Hobart
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The Broncos could be looking for at least three new starters on the offensive line. We should see Louis Vasquez move from right tackle back to his most natural position of right guard.
Ryan Clady is a cornerstone at left tackle, so this leaves center, left guard and right tackle as positions of need this offseason. In free agency, we should see the Broncos address at least one of these spots, but that still leaves the draft as an option they’ll consider.
If they want to find a small-school prospect who could fit, then Hobart center/guard Ali Marpet should be on their radar.
Marpet was a standout Division III player, and he does a good job of getting off the snap quickly. He has the lateral agility to move well in space, and he shows the ability to consistently be a “sticky blocker” at the second level.
Marpet understands leverage and will drive his man off the ball as a run-blocker. He has the athleticism to fit in a zone-blocking system, and his versatility as a center or guard will improve his draft stock.
As a small-school prospect, Marpet will have to prove he can handle going up against bigger, stronger and better opponents at the pro level.
At the combine, Marpet finished as the fastest offensive lineman with a 4.98 40-yard dash. He also finished as a top performer in both the three-cone drill and the bench press.
Currently, Marpet is listed as a potential third- or fourth-round pick in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.
3. Zach Zenner, RB/FB, South Dakota State
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The backfield in Denver is currently missing a key ingredient. It has a fantastic starter in C.J. Anderson, and Montee Ball should be able to fill in nicely as a backup running back.
However, the Broncos need to find a fullback. They may decide to use players like Juwan Thompson or Virgil Green at fullback in certain formations, but they should also be looking at the draft for help.
Zach Zenner is more than just a fullback.
Yes, Zenner is being considered as a fullback and a running back in the scouting process. His position versatility could help him get drafted.
Zenner is your classic banger between the tackles with little wiggle or elusiveness to his game. He can regularly make one cut quickly, and he does a good job of getting north/south in a hurry. He has the leg drive to push the pile and can pick up yards after contact with his hard-nosed style.
In addition to being a good runner, Zenner is also a good receiver out of the backfield. Again, there’s nothing fancy to his game, but he is a three-down back who can haul in passes with linebackers draped all over him.
Also, Zenner is a fine blocker. He’s fearless and has no problem taking on blitzing defenders in pass protection.
At the combine, Zenner impressed with his performance in front of scouts. He was the 12th-fastest running back, clocking in with a 4.60-second 40-yard dash.
Zenner was also a top performer in the broad jump and the three-cone drill. These numbers show that he has the explosiveness necessary to be an effective player at the NFL level.
Another option in the draft would be Jalston Fowler from Alabama. Fowler is listed as the top fullback available in this class by NFLDraftScout.com, and he’s currently considered a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick.
While Fowler is arguably the best at that spot, Zenner is listed as the fourth-best fullback and a potential seventh-round pick.
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2. Dean Marlowe, FS, James Madison
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The secondary is a strength for the Broncos, but they still might have their eyes on additional help late in the draft. Last year in free agency, the Broncos' first move was to add strong safety T.J. Ward. A move that followed closely was adding cornerback Aqib Talib.
Building the secondary continued in the 2014 NFL draft when the Broncos selected Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby with their first-round pick. In addition to that move, Denver also gave cornerback Chris Harris a new long-term deal in December.
The construction in the secondary may need help at the free safety position. Rahim Moore has been the team’s starter for the last few years, but he’s set to hit free agency when the new league year begins March 10.
Mike Klis of The Denver Post reports the Broncos could bring Moore back if he comes at a reasonable price. With or without Moore, the Broncos need free safety help.
James Madison free safety Dean Marlowe might have earned a spot on the draft board with his performance at the combine.
On film, Marlowe shows a player who understands plays as they diagnose in front of him. As a free safety, he can play in the box to support the run, where he has no problem getting his hands dirty as a run defender. He has lined up all over the field and has experience playing deep or covering slot receivers.
When in the slot, Marlowe does get out of position against quicker wideouts. He lacks the recovery speed to make mistakes close in coverage, so sometimes he’ll give his opponent too much of a cushion to help compensate. He’ll have to improve his technique in coverage to maximize his pro potential.
At the combine, Marlowe was the fifth-fastest free safety with a 40-yard dash of 4.58 seconds. He also finished as a top performer in the bench press and the broad jump.
Currently, NFLDraftScout.com has Marlowe listed as a potential seventh-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
1. Chris Conley, WR, Georgia
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The Broncos have to make a decision on what to do with superstar wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. General manager John Elway said at the combine that the Broncos would use the franchise tag on Thomas if they can’t work out a long-term deal before the start of free agency.
So Thomas is unlikely to go anywhere, but that doesn’t mean the Broncos won’t be looking at wide receivers late in the draft.
He’s not going to be a hidden gem after the performance he turned in at the combine, but Chris Conley has to make this list.
Conley was not featured that much in Georgia’s run-heavy offense, but he put up gaudy yards-per-catch numbers in 2014. He finished his final collegiate season with 36 catches (second on the team) for 657 yards (first), eight receiving touchdowns and a whopping 18.25 yards per catch.
For being a limited receiver in college, Conley is savvy as a route-runner. He’s explosive in and out of his breaks, and he does a good job of using his deep speed on longer routes. Conley does well tracking passes over his shoulder, and he has a large wingspan that makes him a red-zone threat.
Adding a wide receiver late doesn’t mean he'll be in line to catch a bunch of passes. Instead, the Broncos should be looking for a wide receiver who can also return punts and kicks. Conley has some limited experience returning punts for the Bulldogs in 2012.
With his speed and explosiveness, Denver might see Conley as an option on the last day of the draft.
Yes, Conley turned in arguably the best performance at the combine, but teams are unlikely to drastically change his draft grade. At this time, NFLDraftScout.com has Conley rated as a potential seventh-round pick.
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