Denver Broncos: Updated Draft Big Board After 1st Wave of Free Agency
Things have been relatively quiet in Denver as far as free agency goes, so the team could be looking to the draft to fill the rest of its needs.
In putting together a draft board for the Broncos, one must look at the depth chart to identify positional needs.
Offensive tackle and defensive tackle seem to be the biggest areas of concern, but the team also needs to find depth for some of the players that have departed as free agents.
Here, we will identify players that the Broncos should have on their draft board. All of the players listed will not only fill a need, but also be available in the round in which the Broncos could be looking in that direction.
Here are 10 players, ranked based on need, that should be on Denver's draft board.
10. Tyler Lockett, Wide Receiver, Kansas State
1 of 10
Do the Broncos really need a wide receiver? It wouldn't be considered a priority, but Tyler Lockett is the type of player who would be hard to pass up because of how well he would fit with the team.
Lockett is a quick wide receiver who would be a tough matchup for any defense as a slot receiver. He would complement Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders very well, and in addition to that, he is an excellent kick returner.
"Tyler Lockett in Denver makes a lot of sense to me.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) February 21, 2015"
Behind Thomas and Sanders, the Broncos don't have a sure thing. Yes, they used a second-round pick on Cody Latimer last year, but no one knows what he can really do.
No one expected the team to select a receiver when they chose him, so taking a wide receiver this year shouldn't be considered shocking.
Lockett is fundamentally sound as a wide receiver and would bring a set of skills to the Broncos that the team could take advantage of.
As stated, wide receiver may not be considered a huge position of need, but if Lockett is available in the third round, he is certainly a player that the Broncos should consider.
9. Jamil Douglas, Guard, Arizona State
2 of 10
Though the Broncos were able to bolster the guard position through free agency, signing Shelley Smith to a two-year contract, they could still use more depth at the position.
Smith and Louis Vasquez figure to be the starters at guard next season, though Ben Garland could also figure into the mix.
Still, a guy like Arizona State's Jamil Douglas would be a good choice to bring in and groom. He is already quick off the snap and flashes good leverage.
He holds up well in pass protection, and though he isn't the strongest run-blocker, his skills translate well to a zone-blocking scheme due to his athleticism.
The Broncos could obtain Douglas in the fourth or possbily even the fifth round of the upcoming draft, and he would be a smart selection at that spot.
8. Joey Mbu, Defensive Tackle, Houston
3 of 10
Joey Mbu is a player with raw physical talent that the right team can turn into a success in the NFL. His skills also fit a 3-4 defensive scheme quite well, and the Broncos could get him toward the end of the draft.
Mbu has long arms and good hands which he uses to get off blocks in the running game, but he also has a great swim move that allows him to get to the quarterback.
Mbu could start as a good rotational defensive lineman for the Broncos with the potential to see significant playing time down the road, as long as his conditioning is up to par.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Tyler Kroft, Tight End, Rutgers
4 of 10
The Broncos could select a tight end in the draft, but because of the Owen Daniels signing, it shouldn't be an immediate concern.
Daniels could have a career year in 2015 with Peyton Manning at quarterback, and having Virgil Green and his ability as a blocker gives the Broncos a terrific combination at the position.
Still, a guy like Tyler Kroft out of Rutgers would be a terrific choice in the draft if the Broncos could get him in the fourth round.
Kroft wasn't able to participate at the scouting combine due to a bum ankle, but as NJ.com's Dan Duggan reports, he more than made up for that with an impressive showing at the Rutgers pro day.
Kroft is somewhat of a hybrid wide receiver playing the tight end position, similar to what many teams in the NFL are looking for these days.
He possesses great hands and runs very well after the catch. He also brings something as a blocker.
In Gary Kubiak's offense, playing behind a solid veteran such as Daniels, Kroft could develop into an excellent weapon down the road.
6. B.J. Finney, Center, Kansas State
5 of 10
If the Broncos decide to hang onto Manny Ramirez—and his $3 million salary—for next season, then they don't need to draft a center since they selected Matt Paradis last season.
However, if Ramirez is dumped, then drafting a center is a very good idea. In the later rounds of the draft, they could find a guy to come in and compete with Paradis.
Look no further than B.J. Finney from Kansas State.
Finney was a four-year starter and a three-time team captain for the Wildcats after being a walk-on.
A wrestler in high school, Finney is a strong man who wins his battles at the line of scrimmage with great leverage and strong use of hands.
In four seasons as a starter, Finney gave up just 2.5 sacks.
Finney would not only be a great addition as fifth-round pick to come in and compete with Paradis for the starting center position, but there would be a good chance he'd win the job.
5. Durell Eskridge, Safety, Syracuse
6 of 10
Now that Rahim Moore has signed with the Houston Texans, the team needs to find someone to play free safety for many years to come.
Sure, the team has signed former Baltimore Ravens safety Darian Stewart, but is he a long-term answer or a player to patch a hole?
Stewart has just two interceptions in 69 career games.
The Broncos also have guys like David Bruton and Kayvon Webster on the roster, but adding a good young prospect wouldn't be a bad idea.
Durell Eskridge from Syracuse would bring great ball skills and strong tackling ability to the secondary.
Eskridge may need some coaching to improve his reactionary skills and the angles he takes toward the ball, but he has the talent to be a starting safety for many years in the league.
4. Ali Marpet, Guard, Howard
7 of 10
While Jamil Douglas would be a good selection at the guard position, Ali Marpet would be a better one.
Marpet comes from the Division III level, and may fly a little under the radar as a result, but Marpet is one of the best guards in the upcoming draft.
He is the type of player who gives his all on each and every play and is a tough, grind-it-out type of player.
Marpet stays square and uses great knee bend to push defenders backward. He also displays good hand usage and has adequate footwork.
"Patriots, Bills, Raiders, Eagles, Colts, Falcons, Broncos among teams attending Hobart pro day. Ali Marpet is the main attraction.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) March 13, 2015"
Bringing in Marpet to pair with Vasquez, Smith and Garland would give the Broncos good depth at the guard position.
If Marpet is still on the board in the third round, the Broncos should give him a serious look.
3. Jake Fisher, Tackle, Oregon
8 of 10
The Broncos need to add another offensive tackle, perhaps more than any other position. Expect them to address that very early in this draft.
Selecting Jake Fisher from Oregon would be one way to do that.
At 6'6", Fisher is a tough player to get around, especially when coupled with his athleticism. His blue-collar work ethic will make any coaching staff happy to have him.
There are several tackles that are rated higher than Fisher, but the Broncos need to have him on their radar because those players could be selected before Denver selects at No. 28 in the first round.
Though Fisher likely has a second-round grade, he won't be there when the Broncos draft in the second round.
If guys like La'el Collins, Andrus Peat and T.J. Clemmings are gone in the first round, Fisher could be the pick.
2. Jordan Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma
9 of 10
There is a very good chance that Jordan Phillips could be the Broncos' first-round pick this year.
Terrance Knighton is no longer around, leaving the team a little light at the defensive tackle position. Only Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin are on the roster for next season, though recently signed Vance Walker could figure in as well.
Williams has been a big disappointment through the first two seasons of his career, while Walker and Austin figure to be role players.
The team needs a dominant defensive tackle, and Phillips could be just that.
Phillips is both strong and athletic and is equally adept in defending the run and rushing the passer. Rob Rang of CBS Sports feels like he could be the next Dontari Poe.
In Phillips, the Broncos could get the type of production they were hoping for when they drafted Williams in the first round just two years ago.
1. T.J. Clemmings, Tackle, Pittsburgh
10 of 10
As mentioned in the Fisher slide, the Broncos need another offensive tackle in a bad way. Drafting one in the first round should really be John Elway's plan of attack at this time.
Though Collins and Peat will likely be off the board by the time the Broncos go on the clock at the bottom of the first round, there is a chance Clemmings will still be there.
If that's the case, he must be the choice.
Clemmings has a wide base, uses great footwork and is able to mirror defenders quite well. His skills actually translate very well to the left tackle position, and when the time comes for Ryan Clady to move on, he could easily slide over to that position.
Currently, the Broncos would be faced with the decision to have Louis Vasquez start another season at right tackle, or go back to Chris Clark.
Vasquez supplanted Clark at that spot last year and didn't perform very well. This makes bringing in another tackle very important.
For that reason combined with the fact that the Broncos could have a chance to get him, Clemmings should sit atop the team's draft board.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
