6 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening Game Starters for Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are looking for starters in the 2015 NFL draft—especially with their premium picks. The team wasn't able to spend as much as they did last year in free agency, and there are still a few spots remaining on both sides of the ball that need to be filled with better talent.

The team has put a lot of work into its draft board this offseason. They studied film during the course of the college football season, then traveled to all-star games, the scouting combine and various pro days this spring.

The Broncos have a new offense featuring a more balanced attack and a zone-blocking offensive line. Their new defense will be more aggressive than it was last year, and the Broncos are looking for players who can match the intensity of the scheme.

Here are six players who could be opening game starters for the Denver Broncos.

OT T.J. Clemmings

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The Broncos have a need at right tackle, and they could be looking to take a player at that position in the first round of the draft. They currently have second-year pro Michael Schofield on the roster at right tackle along with veteran Chris Clark. The team needs to add competition for those two during training camp.

Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings would be a fine pick.

A former defensive lineman, Clemmings switched to the offensive side of the ball two years ago and his potential is through the roof. He plays with an aggressive mindset—likely from his days on the defensive line.

Clemmings has the athleticism to mirror rushers on the outside and long arms to keep defenders at bay. He also bends naturally at the waist when contact hits his body.

With only two years on the offensive line, Clemmings is still raw in terms of technique. He has inconsistent hand placement, and he can get beat by moves to the inside. Clemmings needs to develop his skill set, but he’s got huge upside as a pro.

Multiple mock drafts at this time have the Broncos taking Clemmings off the board with the 28th pick in the first round. Considering their need at the position, that is a distinct possibility.

OT La'el Collins

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Denver needs to find an aggressive right tackle in the draft. The team will be a more run-heavy offense this year under new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, and having an intimidating presence on the right side (next to aggressive right guard Louis Vasquez) would be a boost for the rushing attack.

With that in mind, the Broncos should have plenty of interest in LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins.

Collins is already an elite run-blocker who can control his man at the point of attack. He’s an aggressive player who loves to mix things up in the trenches, does not back down from a challenge and can back up his talk with strong play.

Collins has quick feet and can set up on the outside against edge-rushers. He also has a good kick slide and the reach to get to his man without letting him into his frame.

His aggression can be used against him at times. Collins works well with edge-rushers who try to go wide, but he struggles against secondary and inside moves to get to the quarterback. He’ll have no problem pulling his man to the ground if he’s beat. Collins will have to improve his technique if he wants to play up to his potential as a pro.

We may not see Collins make it to the 28th pick, and though it’s doubtful that Denver will move up in the first round, they may consider doing just that for a talented lineman like Collins.

DT Malcom Brown

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The Broncos will be running a 3-4 defense under Wade Phillips in 2015, and it will feature the nose tackle as the fulcrum of the unit. The Broncos don’t have much depth at defensive tackle on the roster at this time, and that’s why they could be looking for talent at the position in the early rounds of the 2015 NFL draft.

The team has been developing 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams over the last two years. Williams looked okay for eight games as a rookie, but with a larger role in 2014, he failed to impress. He’s likely to be penciled in as the starter to begin training camp, but the Broncos might add more competition via the draft.

Malcom Brown is one of the best defensive tackles available this year. At 6’2” 319 pounds, Brown has the build to plug up the middle naturally. He gets off the line of scrimmage quickly and can regularly get push on his man inside. Brown can also eat up double teams in order to free up the linebackers behind him.

He’s more than just a run-stuffer. Brown can be a disruptive player for opposing quarterbacks. He can penetrate quickly to get to the passer, and he has a good nose for the ball. When he doesn’t get to the play, he does a good job of getting his hands up to block passing lanes.

Brown should be a late first-round pick in the draft, and he could step in and start for the Broncos in Week 1.

DT Jordan Phillips

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There may be a rotation of defensive linemen the Broncos use in certain situations and packages this year. Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin will compete for the starting nose tackle job, and we could even see Antonio Smith at defensive tackle on certain snaps.

Because of this, the Broncos would be wise to add more talent at defensive tackle through the draft, and Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Jordan Phillips should be on the team’s radar.

Phillips is a mountain of man, measuring in at 6’5” 329 pounds. He has rare movement ability for a player his size, and Phillips can be tough to contain with one or two blockers. Phillips has length to disrupt passing lanes, and he’s got the functional strength to stand strong against power blockers in the middle of the line.

He’s a player who CBSSports.com compares to Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe—and the comparison is accurate.

Phillips uses his hands to knock blockers away, and he has the power to rag-doll opponents tasked with stopping him. He’s quick off the snap, and Phillips will show good quickness and intent when pursuing a play that goes away from him.

He had back surgery in 2013 to correct a problem that had bothered him for years. In addition to his medical record, Phillips is still a raw football player who needs to work on improving his technique. His best football may still be ahead of him.

There’s a chance that Phillips could still be on the board when the Broncos pick in the second round of the draft. If added, he could compete for—and win—the starting nose tackle job to begin the season.

FB Jalston Fowler

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The running game will be the centerpiece of the offense this season. The zone-blocking system up front will create rushing lanes—and cutback lanes—for starting running back C.J. Anderson. Before the start of the regular season, the Broncos need to find a starting fullback.

Jalston Fowler originally joined the Alabama Crimson Tide as a running back, but he was moved to fullback after his arrival. He was also utilized as a halfback during his college career and can line up in multiple positions at the pro level.

He was seriously underutilized by Alabama last year, finishing his senior season with only 12 carries and 11 receptions. Fowler did blast open holes for a Crimson Tide rushing attack that amassed 2,893 yards on the ground in 2014.

Fowler is built like a brick house, measuring in at 5’11” 254 pounds. He can move defenders out of the way as a blocker, and he’ll consistently make contact with moving targets at the second level of the defense. As a runner, Fowler can bowl over opponents with his punishing style.

We should see Fowler go off the board on the final day of the draft—perhaps as early as the fourth round. The Broncos have plenty of picks on the last day of the draft, and they should be targeting a fullback like Fowler at that time.

FB Zach Zenner

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Zach Zenner is an incredibly productive player who should best fit at fullback in the NFL. During his time playing for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Zenner rushed for over 2,000 yards three times. He was the first FCS player to ever do that in three straight seasons. He finished his college career with a whopping 6,548 rushing yards, good for a school and conference record.

Zenner can grind out tough yards between the tackles, and he is a patient runner who allows the blocks in front of him to fully develop before bursting through the hole. He’s a determined runner who does not shy away from contact.

In addition to running the ball, Zenner is a reliable receiver with 95 career catches for the Jackrabbits. He does a good job in pass protection and has the build to be a punishing blocker.

There’s a chance that Zenner will still be on the board in the final two rounds of the draft. He’s much more than just a fullback, and with the Broncos, he would serve a valuable purpose as a lead blocker, short-yardage runner and receiver out of the backfield. Don’t be shocked if Zenner ends up coming off the board in the fifth round.

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.