Broncos Draft Stock Watch: 5 Players Rising and Falling on Denver's Board
The Denver Broncos have worked carefully through the first wave of free agency. Without as much salary-cap space as they had last year, the Broncos have had to be more frugal with the players they’ve added from the free-agent market.
In addition to acquiring veterans, the Broncos are also putting together their board for the 2015 NFL draft.
General manager John Elway is the man in charge in the Mile High City. Matt Russell is the team’s director of player personnel, and he’ll work closely with Elway to craft a draft board with talent in every round.
With the scouting combine over, college prospects prepare next for their pro days during March and April. During that time, a player’s draft stock can rise or fall.
Here’s a draft stock watch for five players that Denver could be considering in the 2015 NFL draft.
Stock Up: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
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This isn’t a strong quarterback class, but a player who is rising up draft boards is Garrett Grayson. I noted that he was the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, and he’s followed that up with an impressive pro day.
These offseason performances have caused Grayson’s stock to rise.
Grayson can use his eyes to manipulate the defense. He has the arm strength to make every throw in the NFL, and he does a good job of attacking the edges of the defense. Grayson can work from under center or out of the shotgun, plus he had the ability to change play calls at the line of scrimmage in the Rams offense.
Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports the Broncos have interest in the local product.
"The team that seems to be highest on Grayson is the hometown Denver Broncos," he reported. "The feeling is Grayson is the most capable of running the system that Gary Kubiak will employ in Denver, a system similar to the one Grayson ran at Colorado State."
Grayson could be an option for the Broncos at the end of the second round.
Stock Down: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
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The Broncos made two big moves (for them) in free agency at the tight end position. They kept Virgil Green on the roster with a three-year, $8.4 million contract with $3.2 million guaranteed. Then, they added Owen Daniels from the Baltimore Ravens with a three-year, $12.2 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus and $3 million guaranteed.
These acquisitions mean the Broncos may not be as interested in potential first-round pick Maxx Williams.
Williams is the best tight end in what has to be considered a poor tight end class. He may not be on the Broncos radar because of their free-agent moves, but he could still be a first-round pick. He might even be off the board before the Broncos pick at 28th overall.
Williams is a smooth athlete before and after the catch. He lacks the speed to stretch the seam consistently, but he is a savvy route-runner who knows how to get open. Williams has soft hands, great body control and the ability to make difficult catches seem routine.
The Broncos might want to add Williams, but their priorities may have changed as we get closer to the draft.
Stock Up: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
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The Broncos need to find a starting right tackle before the start of the regular season. They have yet to address the position in free agency, and they could be leaning toward adding a right tackle in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
A player who could be a fantastic addition is T.J. Clemmings from Pitt.
Clemmings has only been playing on the offensive line for two years after initially beginning his college career as a defensive tackle. A former basketball player, he has elite athleticism, a large wingspan and the functional strength to be dominant at the point of the play.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares Clemmings to the Houston Texans’ Duane Brown. Obviously, with Gary Kubiak in charge of the zone-blocking system, that comparison makes Clemmings a great fit for Denver.
Clemmings needs to clean up his technique, but that’s to be expected since he’s only been lining up at offensive tackle for two years. He also needs to show better confidence after getting beaten on the outside. His upside is out of this world, and if he's on the board, it will be quite tempting for the Broncos to select him.
If added, Clemmings would compete with last year’s third-round pick Michael Schofield for the starting right tackle job.
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Stock Down: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
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It seems like the Broncos are going to look to Sylvester Williams to fill the spot at nose tackle. Williams, a 2013 first-round pick, struggled to impress last year in his second season. Having never played nose tackle, he will now be tasked with being the fulcrum of Denver’s new defense.
This means the Broncos might pass on an early-round defensive tackle like Jordan Phillips.
Defensive tackles usually take some time to develop in the pros. Williams is not yet a bust, but he is certainly in a make-or-break season in 2015. The Broncos might not want to add another defensive tackle with a premium pick, only to wait a few years for him to develop.
Phillips moves well for a man who measures in at 6’6”, 335 pounds. His size makes him difficult to move as a run defender in the middle of the defensive line. Phillips can get interior pressure because of his strength, and he has good closing burst to the ball-carrier or the quarterback. Stamina is a concern, as he does wear down and plays too upright as the game goes on.
The Broncos may not want a rookie defensive tackle (with a premium pick), but it’s likely that Phillips ends up being a first- or second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Stock Up: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
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Under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Broncos are going to implement a 3-4 defense in 2015. This defense puts a lot of pressure on the inside linebackers to clean up as run defenders. Currently, the Broncos have Brandon Marshall ("Sam") and Danny Trevathan ("Bow") as their starting inside linebackers.
Both are fine players, but they have injury concerns after getting banged up last year. Marshall should be a great fit for this defense if healthy, but Trevathan might wear down due to his 6'1", 240-pound size. This means the Broncos could be considering an inside linebacker like Eric Kendricks with a first-round pick.
Kendricks is a smaller linebacker (6’0”, 230 lbs), but his nose for the ball and ability to arrive at the play with natural violence make him an intriguing prospect.
With the speed to play from sideline to sideline, Kendricks is a true three-down linebacker for the pro level. He diagnoses plays quickly as they unfold in front of him, and he is known as a sure tackler in the open field.
Like other small linebackers, Kendricks excels due to heart, hustle, instincts and aggression. Whereas Trevathan might have to come off the field against the run, Kendricks can stand up at the point of attack.
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.
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