Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Denver Broncos' Top 3 Picks
The Denver Broncos have feverishly worked behind the scenes at Dove Valley to build the best draft board they possibly can. The film study and road trips to college all-star games, pro days and the scouting combine, plus individual workouts, have aided the team with its task.
The draft is fast approaching, and every team needs to be able to adjust on the fly. No team wants to get caught with an unexpected player left on the draft board. It also doesn’t want to run out of options before the time clock runs out on its pick. We’ve seen this a few times before in the NFL draft, and the process can be quite chaotic—especially in the first three rounds of the draft.
Here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Broncos' top three picks.
Round 3 Best Case: ILB Denzel Perryman
1 of 6
The defense is going to have a more aggressive look this year under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. The Broncos will likely blitz a lot more than they did last year under Jack Del Rio. In Phillips’ 3-4 defense, the team will need a solid group of linebackers to clean up.
That’s why it would be a perfect fit for the Broncos if Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman was still on the board when they pick in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Perryman has sharp instincts for his position. He diagnoses plays quickly as they unfold in front of him, and he does a good job of "scraping and flowing" to the ball-carrier. Perryman can avoid larger blockers tasked with hitting him, and he arrives at the ball with natural violence.
He has a workman-like mentality, and Perryman will consistently play with a high motor. He lacks ideal size for the position at 5'11", 235 pounds, but he makes up for that with heart and hustle.
Perryman may be limited to being a two-down player in the NFL because he struggles when isolated in coverage. He’s not an elite-level athlete, and larger tight ends can take advantage of him on routes over the middle. However, Perryman should be a standout special teams player in addition to providing an intimidating force on defense.
The Broncos need depth at inside linebacker behind starters Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan. Perryman would be a fine fit for a defense that needs disruptive players with a nose for the ball.
Round 3 Worst Case: TE Jesse James
2 of 6
The Broncos worked hard to put together a solid group of tight ends this offseason. They kept Virgil Green around as a further developing talent who should have career-best numbers in 2015. They signed Owen Daniels to be the lead tight end in the Gary Kubiak offense he knows like the back of his hand. Then, just last week, they added versatile tight end James Casey to the mix.
Even with all those transactions, the Broncos may still add a tight end through the draft. In the third round, Penn State’s Jesse James could be their pick.
At 6’7”, 255 pounds, James presents a huge target for his quarterback. He knows how to use his large frame to box out defenders to keep them away from the pass. James is too big for safeties to cover, but he’s not too fast to create problems for linebackers in coverage. However, he does run with a lot of power after the catch, as he’s tough to bring down.
He is a bit stiff as a route-runner, and James is not going to rip the seam downfield or take the top off the middle of a defense. Even though he’s big and powerful as a receiver, he does not use that same strength to dominate as a blocker. Instead, he struggles to keep his feet or move his man out of the way when asked to clear space for a running back. This lack of blocking ability would plague him in the Kubiak system.
This isn’t a great tight end class, and if the Broncos really want to add one via the draft, then a developmental prospect like Blake Bell (Oklahoma) would make more sense.
Round 2 Best Case: LB Shaq Thompson
3 of 6
Over the last two offseasons, the Broncos secondary has undergone a transformation at safety. Last year, the team added strong safety T.J. Ward in free agency. This year, Denver addressed the free safety position by adding Darian Stewart. The Broncos could add more talent and depth to their safety position by selecting Washington’s Shaq Thompson in the second round.
Thompson is listed as a linebacker on most websites and draft magazines. However, his best spot in the NFL may be at safety. In fact, he reminds me of Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor. In the hands of the right defensive coordinator, Thompson could be a fantastic asset for an NFL team.
He starred on both sides of the ball for the Huskies during his college career. At running back, Thompson was capable of racking up big yards as evidenced by his 174-yard game against the Colorado Buffaloes in 2014. He scored six touchdowns this year, two as a running back and four on defense (one interception return and three fumble returns). While he may be done playing offense at the pro level, Thompson has the athleticism to be a disruptive defender.
Thompson has high football intelligence. He knows where plays are going as they unfold in front of him, and he has the speed and athleticism to get to the point of the play in a hurry. Thompson does a good job of wrapping up, and he will regularly turn his man and try to strip the ball. He can seamlessly transition from run defense to coverage when play-action passes are used by an opponent.
Today’s NFL is all about having chess pieces that can create mismatches. Against top-notch passing games, it would be a great benefit for the Broncos to have a player like Thompson on the field.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Round 2 Worst Case: Bryce Petty
4 of 6
The Broncos are looking to add a quarterback this offseason. Peyton Manning may only play for one more season, and he’s only under contract for two more years. Backup Brock Osweiler is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he may leave in free agency next offseason. Denver needs someone it can groom as a backup in 2015 with the potential to be a starter in the near future.
That’s why the Broncos may reach in the second round for Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty.
With arguably the best arm talent of any quarterback in this draft class, Petty is an impressive physical specimen with prototypical size for the position. He looks the part and is athletic enough to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield as a passer.
Petty has serious question marks surrounding his game. Baylor’s offense operated exclusively out of the shotgun. This means Petty will first have to learn how to work from under center. During the week of practice for the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl, I watched as he fumbled multiple snaps and looked uncomfortable in the most basic of quarterback skills.
In college, Petty usually had predetermined reads and threw to mostly wide-open receivers. He needs to show that he can read a defense while dropping back and make stick throws into tight windows.
If they really want a quarterback in Round 2, then Garrett Grayson (Colorado State) is a more pro-ready prospect.
Round 1 Best Case: OT La'el Collins
5 of 6
The Broncos' biggest need might be at right tackle on the offensive line. They have yet to address the position this offseason, and many mock drafts have them selecting a right tackle in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
It would be a fantastic pick if they chose LSU’s La’el Collins with the 28th overall pick in the first round.
Collins is a mean player who uses a nasty attitude to dominate opponents. He’s functionally strong and can rag-doll opponents at the line of scrimmage. Collins can plow over defenders as a run-blocker, and he can even take out more than one player on combo blocks.
In pass protection, Collins has the footwork to set up quickly with his kick slide. He has good length, measuring in at 6’4”, 305 pounds. He is light enough to mirror rushers on the edge, but he needs to be more consistent when timing his initial move after the snap. With pro coaching, Collins should learn better hand placement as well.
The Broncos need a right tackle in a bad way. At this time, second-year pro Michael Schofield and veteran Chris Clark will compete for the starting right tackle job. Collins is better than both of these players.
Round 1 Worst Case: C Cameron Erving
6 of 6
Some Broncos fans would welcome the pick of a center in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. The Broncos haven’t had a set-it-and-forget-it center since the days Ring of Fame player Tom Nalen lined up in the middle.
This is why some fans are calling for Florida State center Cameron Erving to be the Broncos pick.
He came to the Seminoles as a defensive lineman, but he was eventually switched to left tackle on the offensive line and was a two-year starter there. He moved to center late in the 2014 season, and his lack of experience could cause a delay in his pro career.
He is athletic enough to mirror rushers on the edge, and Erving has the footwork to kick-slide quickly and properly when asked to pass-protect. His athleticism also helps him get to the second level of the defense when asked to block linebackers.
His technique at the center position needs a lot of work. Mainly, he needs to work on having better hand placement as a blocker. Erving can put the lean on an opponent, but he needs to learn how to punch defenders after the snap in order to jar them backward. He also lacks experience when asked to make line calls as defenders move around pre-snap.
With Peyton Manning leading the way, any center the Broncos have in front of him must be able to change line calls as he calls an audible. Erving just isn’t there yet, and it may be too much to ask him to do that regularly as a rookie.
Erving is a talented player, and he could develop into a quality starter at the pro level. However, that will take time the Broncos just don’t have. Plus, they seem content to roll forward with Gino Gradkowski, Matt Paradis and Manny Ramirez competing at the center position in training camp.
In the first round, the Broncos are almost locked into taking an offensive tackle—and not a center.
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.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
