Denver Broncos: 5 Players Whom They Must Target in the NFL Draft

The Denver Broncos have demonstrated a lot of faith in their young players.

In free agency, the Broncos have been very frugal. They've signed a small handful of players, none of whom will make more than $4.1 million per year. Right now, inexperienced players like Matt Paradis and Michael Schofield would be in the starting lineup.

Denver determined that this free-agent class wasn't the best avenue through which to shore up their needs. But with 10 draft picks, the Broncos will have a host of players to compete for starting jobs come summer.

Which players should they go after?

Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon

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The offensive tackles in this year's draft class are sure to make a splash in the NFL at some point.

However, not all of those tackles are ready to play just yet. The Broncos would be best suited to draft an NFL-ready player, because Peyton Manning is likely in his last year.

As Lance Zierlein NFL.com notes, Jake Fisher is the epitome of an NFL-ready player. Fisher, who played in a zone-blocking scheme at Oregon, could start from day one at right tackle. His stock has risen after solid performances in predraft activities and a phenomenal showing in the Rose Bowl, and he could be a viable first-round pick.

In fact, Denver could even trade down for Fisher and pile up more picks. Drafting an NFL-ready player and adding more players for down the road might be the best-case scenario for the Broncos, but simply drafting Fisher in the team's current slot would work as well.

Right tackle is the biggest need for the Broncos, unless they feel that Michael Schofield (who can also play guard) is ready to take over. Fisher would be able to solve that need and start right away, which is critical given Manning's shrinking championship window. 

Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor

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It's no secret that Manning is on the cusp of retirement.

Since current backup Brock Osweiler, who went 7-8 as a college starter and has been fairly inconsistent in his limited NFL action, is not likely to succeed Manning, the Broncos might be best suited going after a quarterback early in the 2015 draft.

Bryce Petty would be a perfect fit. The Baylor quarterback had an excellent junior year, posting a marvelous touchdown-to-interception ratio of 10.67. However, he regressed in his senior season and could have trouble transitioning to an NFL offense.

Petty is not ready to start in the NFL right away, but that wouldn't be a problem in Denver. Learning under Manning for a year and working with former quarterback—and current head coach—Gary Kubiak and former quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison, in addition to current quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, could do wonders for Petty.

His stock has risen because of a brilliant pro-day performance, so the Broncos would probably have to use a second-round pick on him. However, the defending champion New England Patriots did the same thing with Jimmy Garoppolo last year, and it didn't affect them during their Super Bowl run.

Petty is an intelligent player, and he should be able to pick up a more complicated NFL offense with a year of learning. He has the physical traits to be an NFL quarterback, and he could be the future face of the franchise in Denver.

Eddie Goldman, DL, Florida State

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If the Broncos opt to draft a non-offensive lineman in the first round, they could look at a defensive lineman.

Since they don't have a sure fit at nose tackle, Eddie Goldman could be a target. Denver has Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, Vance Walker, Marvin Austin and Sylvester Williams, but not all of those players have proven themselves to be capable starters.

If Williams and Austin can't step up at nose tackle, Goldman could be a great fit. He could slide in as a one-gap nose tackle, a role that doesn't require mountainous size.

That's why drafting someone like Jordan Phillips, who can fill holes but is more suited for a two-gap scheme, might not be the right idea. On the contrary, Goldman can play anywhere on the defensive line and is more suited for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' one-gap scheme.

The Broncos could get by on the defensive line without Goldman, but only Jackson has proven to be successful, and that has just been as a rotational player.

The Broncos could benefit from having a consistent force who could stay on the field for all three downs (something that departed nose tackle Terrance Knighton couldn't do), and Goldman would be a great fit in that regard.

Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville

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Gerod Holliman intercepted 14 passes in 2014. So why isn't he receiving more buzz as a potential first-round pick?

Holliman has been regarded as an awful run defender and an unwilling tackler, not demonstrating the toughness required to play safety. However, he has the potential to be a great ballhawk on the back end.

Denver signed Darian Stewart, who is a quality safety, to a two-year, $4.25 million deal. Stewart is tough and has improved his tackling greatly. However, Holliman could complement him because Stewart has never shown a knack for making game-changing plays.

Drafting Holliman in the third round could pay dividends for the Broncos. It would also allow them to leave Kayvon Webster and Bradley Roby at cornerback instead of having to move them to safety for depth purposes.

Holliman might end up lacking the toughness to play in the NFL, and he might waste his amazing physical gifts. But the physical traits are there, and if he wants it badly enough, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

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Jake Fisher is a realistic target if the Broncos stay put with the 28th pick. But if T.J. Clemmings falls to No. 28, the Broncos would likely take him.

The Pittsburgh product is inexperienced, but he has lots of potential. He has the athleticism to be a good player, and while he's not overpowering at 310 pounds, he is strong enough to handle bulkier pass-rushers.

There's no doubt that Clemmings has the physical traits to be successful. However, his technique is flawed, which raises some questions about whether he could be a starter from day one at right tackle as a zone-blocker.

Since current starter Michael Schofield is still a question mark and could also end up moving to guard, the Broncos might benefit from selecting a more pro-ready tackle. However, if they trust Schofield, who could be a great fit in the zone-blocking scheme, Clemmings would be a nice luxury pick for the future.

Clemmings might be a project, but he has the physical tools to be one of the best right tackles in the game. If Denver drafts him, the team might not need to worry about the right tackle position for years to come.