Safest, Riskiest Choices Denver Broncos Might Consider in 2015 NFL Draft
As with any NFL draft, the selection pool is full of future stars. It's usually full of just as many players who won't pan out, as well.
There is a thin line between a good draft pick and a bad one, and it's usually not immediately noticeable. Each selection needs to a be a smart, calculated choice.
When teams look at the players who are on the board, they start to put together a list of players whom they consider to be safe and players who may come with a risk. Those risks could be due to a player's style, injury history or even off-field problems.
Who are some players whom the Broncos may be considering in the upcoming draft? Are these players safe picks, or would choosing them be a gamble?
Those players are identified and those questions are answered right here.
Safe: T.J. Clemmings, Tackle, Pittsburgh
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The Broncos could use a player who can excel at the right tackle position, and T.J. Clemmings can do that. In fact, he's good enough to become the left tackle at some point, too.
The Broncos won't find a more athletic tackle in the draft, and there is a good chance that he'll still be on the board at No. 28 in the first round. If he is, he almost has to be the pick.
Clemmings could use some refinement due to the fact that he began his college career as a defensive end. However, the physical tools are absolutely evident.
Clemmings has a large frame and displays very quick feet. His athleticism gives him the ability to shield off defenders and sometimes even take on multiple defenders. As a run-blocker, he routinely gets to the second level to open running lanes.
There isn't much to dislike about Clemmings. He would be a solid selection for a team needing to bolster its offensive line, such as Denver.
Risky: Cedric Ogbuehi, Tackle, Texas A&M
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The upcoming draft is stocked with quality offensive tackles, but many of them figure to fly off the board in a hurry. By the time the Broncos go on the clock in the first round, players such as La'el Collins, Ereck Flowers, Andrus Peat and even Clemmings could all be gone.
If the Broncos are forced to choose a tackle later, they could target a player like Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi. Playing on the same offensive line that included high first-round draft picks Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, Ogbuehi will fall down into the second or even third round for more than one reason.
First, as noted by Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, Ogbuehi seemed to give less than 100 percent at times in order to protect his injuries and, in turn, protect his draft status.
"Same scout also said his team does not have Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi ranked highly because of his injury history. He called it "scary"
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 3, 2015"
As far as his injury history is concerned, Ogbuehi missed five games in college, but more worrisome is the fact that he is currently recovering from a torn ACL.
Ogbuehi seems to be a big project—something that the Broncos should steer clear of at this time.
Safe: Grady Jarrett, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
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Grady Jarrett is just 6'1", but he is incredibly quick off the snap. His ability to shoot gaps is very impressive and could make him a great weapon in a 3-4 defense.
Aside from his quickness, Jarrett possesses great strength. He often pushes linemen backward and wraps up the ball-carrier, completely blowing up plays on his own.
Another factor that must be considered is that during his playing days in both high school and college, Jarrett never missed a single game due to injury.
If he is still on the board in the third round, he would be an absolute steal for Denver.
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Risky: Jordan Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma
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Jordan Phillips certainly has the physical tools to be a dominant defensive lineman in the NFL. The Broncos need to look at the defensive line in this draft, no matter how good they feel about the combination of Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin.
Phillips has quick hands and supreme athleticism, and he is adept at defending both the run and getting after the quarterback.
But there are two things that make him a risky pick for the Broncos.
First is the fact that he will likely cost a first-round draft pick. Given his injury history, that may be too much to ask. Phillips has experienced several injuries as a player, specifically to his back. This caused him to have back surgery in late 2013.
Phillips will have really had to convince an organization that he can overcome his back issues to be worthy of a first-round selection. As a result, the Broncos would be better off waiting to see if a guy like Jarrett is available later.
Safe: Laken Tomlinson, Guard, Duke
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Born in Jamaica, Laken Tomlinson will bring both a strong work ethic and a 323-pound frame to the team that selects him.
Tomlinson is an adequate run-blocker who is also a very intelligent player. He started at guard for Duke in each of his four years there and was a team captain during his senior year.
Because of the effort and dedication that Tomlinson gives to playing the position, head coach Gary Kubiak and his staff could mold him into a very refined offensive lineman.
"Scouting Report on Laken Tomlinson. Fits Bucs, Jags, Giants, Browns, 49ers, Chiefs, Chargers, & Broncos. http://t.co/JSehmGh77o
— Charlie Campbell (@DraftCampbell) February 10, 2015"
Tomlinson also showed consistent improvement over the course of his collegiate career in each phase of the game.
Denver lost Orlando Franklin to free agency in the offseason. Tomlinson would be a fine replacement.
Risky: Ali Marpet, Guard, Hobart
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Everything you look at with Ali Marpet checks out. He appears to be one of the true gems of this draft.
Marpet had a strong showing in the Senior Bowl, and that is when most of the buzz surrounding him began. But he is a very intriguing player.
Marpet is 6'4" and 307 pounds. He is both quick and powerful, and he is able to gain leverage in matchups as a blocker. He also proved durable during his career as a Division III player, making 37 starts.
If they target him, the Broncos may be able to find Marpet in the third round.
So what makes him a risky pick? Quite simply, it's the fact that he played at a school that most people have never heard of. Because of that, the quality of competition he faced is a very real question—one that can't be answered by anything other than watching his tape from the Senior Bowl.
That's a small sample size.
Marpet appears to be the ultimate boom-or-bust player in this draft. He could prove to be well worth the gamble, but he could also wind up being nothing more than fool's gold.
Safe: Durell Eskridge, Safety, Syracuse
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Rahim Moore is no longer a member of the Broncos after signing with the Houston Texans as a free agent. As a result, the Broncos could use a safety with good ball skills to complement the hard-hitting T.J. Ward.
Durell Eskridge could not just replace Moore, but he could also be an upgrade.
Eskridge is a strong tackler and shows very good ball skills. He also displays solid instincts and decent range.
While he may not be able to be the opening day starter if the Broncos are looking for a safety to play the centerfield role, he can certainly be developed into that player.
On top of that, Eskridge shouldn't cost the Broncos any more than a fourth-round draft pick.
Risky: Gerod Holliman, Safety, Louisville
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If the Broncos want a safety who can go after the ball, there isn't a better one in this draft than Gerod Holliman. In fact, he led the entire nation with 14 interceptions last season.
Holliman has great instincts and field awareness. He seems to fly to the ball and makes plays more often than not.
But his inability to make tackles is what makes him a risky pick. One unnamed scout called Holliman "horrible" back in December and went on to say that he couldn't make a tackle to "save his life."
It's tough to play safety in the NFL if you can't tackle.
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