2015 Draft Sleepers Who'd Fit Perfectly with the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have a knack for finding quality talent late in the draft—or even after the draft in the pool of college free agents.

After the 2011 NFL draft, the Broncos added cornerback Chris Harris as a priority free agent. A four-year starter at Kansas, Harris fell to the ranks of the undrafted, but the Broncos saw his potential. Today, Harris is arguably a top-five corner in the NFL—and he’s one of the brightest stars in Denver.

After the 2013 NFL draft, the Broncos were wise to pick up running back C.J. Anderson. After two years as a valuable backup, Anderson came through when the Broncos needed him most last year. Taking over as the starter with both Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman banged up, Anderson led the league in rushing over the last six weeks of the 2014 season. Entering this year, Anderson could be in for at least a 1,000-yard rushing season for the Broncos.

These two players are a small example of the caliber of talent the Broncos have been able to find after the draft. They’ve been able to find third-day picks in the draft that also develop into quality starters like tight end Virgil Green (seventh round, 2011) and linebacker Danny Trevathan (sixth round, 2012).

Needless to say, the Broncos are adept at finding talented prospects that fly under the radar for other teams in the NFL.

Here are five draft sleepers who’d fit perfectly with the Denver Broncos.

DT Angelo Blackson

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Broncos will be looking for talent on the defensive line during the draft.

This offseason, we’ve seen Denver add two veteran defensive ends in Antonio Smith and Vance Walker. Smith could play at defensive end or defensive tackle as a rotational player, while Walker is going to compete for a starting job at end. Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin are going to compete for playing time at nose tackle, but neither one is a big-bodied run-stuffer who can eat up space.

If the Broncos want to add younger talent up front on the defensive line through the draft, then Auburn defensive tackle Angelo Blackson could be a fit. Mike Klis, from The Denver Post, reports the Broncos have worked out Blackson at Dove Valley.

Blackson didn’t post eye-popping numbers at Auburn, as he was only a part-time starter. In 2014, Blackson had a career-high three sacks, five tackles for a loss and 17 tackles.

He plays with proper functional strength, and Blackson can control the line of scrimmage because of his size (6’4”, 318 pounds) and powerful base. Blackson is your traditional run-stuffing nose tackle, and he’s got room on his frame to put on additional weight if necessary.

Blackson does not get much push as a pass-rusher. He does get off the line of scrimmage quickly, and Blackson can eat up double-teams. He’s going to take up space and allow the linebackers behind him to stay free of blockers in order to clean up as tacklers. The Broncos would likely be able to pick Blackson up on the third day of the draft, perhaps even as late as the seventh round.

RB Dee Hart

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Broncos may add depth at the running back position late in the draft. They are set at starting running back with third-year pro C.J. Anderson leading the way. In the run-heavy Gary Kubiak offense with a zone-blocking offensive line in front of him, Anderson could be among the leading rushers in the NFL this season. Behind Anderson, the Broncos have some question marks.

Adding a change-of-pace back like Colorado State’s Dee Hart would make a lot of sense.

Hart originally started his college career as a blue-chip recruit for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Two ACL tears on the same knee eventually shortened his college career at Alabama. He then decided to transfer to Colorado State, where he was reunited with former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, then the head coach of the Rams.

In his one year with the Rams, Hart was incredibly productive and a big part of their high-powered offense. Hart rushed the ball 194 times for 1,275 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in 2014. He also chipped in with 18 catches for 189 yards and two receiving touchdowns last year.

At 5’7”, 199 pounds, Hart is a smaller back with incredible instincts for the position. He knows how to set up defenders in space, and he can create on his own in the open field. Hart is difficult for defenders to get a bead on because of his quickness and agile footwork.

Hart is not a big back, but he does run bigger than his size. He’s a willing runner between the tackles, where his instincts help him slide, pick and choose holes to get through.

After his knee injuries, Hart is not as fast or quick as he used to be, and the lack of durability is certainly a concern after overcoming two serious injuries in college. Hart is likely to be a late-round pick or priority free agent in the 2015 NFL draft. While not a full-time back, Hart could be a valuable backup in the pros and a spot starter.

WR Adrian Coxson

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Some players bounce around during their college career. Some transfer due to coaching changes or suspensions. Others have to transfer for other reasons.

Adrian Coxson was a highly touted high school recruit when he chose to play college football for the Florida Gators over teams like Penn State and others. He went to Gainesville in 2010, but ended up transferring to Maryland in order to be closer to his ill father.

As a redshirt freshman for the Terrapins in 2012, Coxson was used sparingly in nine games and only caught four passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Terrapins head coach Ralph Friedgen and most of his staff were fired before he was eligible to play, so Coxson decided to transfer again.

In three years at Stony Brook, Coxson worked on becoming a well-rounded player. His best season for the Seawolves came in 2014 when he hauled in 43 passes for 664 yards and six touchdowns.

At 6’1”, 217 pounds, Coxson has a good size-speed combination. His speed was evident at the Stony Brook pro day. According to Aaron Wilson, from The Baltimore Sun, Coxson ran the 40-yard dash at times of 4.28 and 4.33 seconds. That speed should have the Broncos taking notice.

Coxson has become a crisp route-runner, and he does a good job of creating separation after he makes his break. He doesn’t tip his hand as to where he’s going, and Coxson can become a quarterback’s favorite target. Coxson has the size to make it difficult for cornerbacks to jam him at the line of scrimmage.

He will be painted as a small-school prospect because of his three seasons for the Seawolves, but Coxson began his college career as a potential D-I star. Any NFL team that adds him could find that the best is yet to come.

TE Blake Bell

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

This team has a keen ability to develop tight end talent. For example, in 2011, the Broncos spent a fourth-round pick on Portland State’s Julius Thomas. A converted basketball player, Thomas only had one year of experience playing college football. The Broncos saw the talent, and they worked with him to develop Thomas into a superstar at the pro level.

The Broncos may be able to do the same thing with Oklahoma tight end Blake Bell.

Like Thomas, Bell has one year of experience playing tight end at the collegiate level. Instead of being a basketball star, Bell played quarterback for most of his Sooners career. He switched to tight end before his senior season and hauled in 16 catches for 214 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

Bell stands tall and strong at 6’6”, 252 pounds. He immediately creates mismatches every time he’s on the field. Bell is too big for safeties to cover, and he’s too fast for linebackers to stay with him in the open field. While he lacks the speed to be a true seam-ripper, Bell is dangerous after the catch and he can be a reliable target over the middle of the field.

As a converted quarterback, Bell knows how to find his way back to the ball. He’ll square his broad shoulders to the line of scrimmage on comeback routes to give his quarterback the largest possible target. Bell is tough to get around because of his size, and he does a good job of naturally catching passes with his hands extended away from his body.

Bell has the size and tenacity to be a good run-blocker—an important asset in the Gary Kubiak system. He plays with good functional strength and has a team-first mentality.

To say Bell has some Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots) to his game might be a stretch for some. Instead, he plays a lot like Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce—a baby Gronk player in his own right.

Bell is still developing at the tight end position, but his raw skill set makes him an intriguing developmental prospect.

QB Chris Bonner

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The quarterback of the future is an unknown player at this time. Brock Osweiler, a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, is entering the final year of his contract. At this time, there has been no hint of a contract extension for Osweiler, meaning the team might lose him in free agency next offseason.

If the Broncos want to draft a developmental quarterback who is a good fit for Gary Kubiak’s system, then Colorado State-Pueblo quarterback Chris Bonner should be their pick.

Last year for the Thunderwolves, Bonner passed the ball 461 times (258 completions) for 3,291 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions. As a small-school prospect and potential late-round pick, there’s a lot to like about Bonner’s game.

Bonner has a physical makeup and skill set that is quite similar to that of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Standing at 6’7”, 230 pounds, Bonner naturally sees the field well because he’s so tall. Like Flacco, he’s a big quarterback but a better athlete than some would think. He does a good job of climbing the ladder to evade outside pressure, and Bonner will keep his eyes downfield while he keeps plays alive with his feet.

He ran a complex offense for the Thunderwolves, and Bonner is a bright quarterback who understands what a defense is trying to force him to do—and he knows how to take advantage of their weak spots. Bonner lacks a rocket arm like Flacco, but he can make all the throws required in the NFL with proper velocity.

Bonner needs to speed up his delivery as a passer, and he needs to have more consistent velocity when throwing over 12 yards. He was able to show off his toughness after taking several big shots from defenses teeing off on him from the outside.

When teams take a quarterback late, he’s always a long shot. Some late-round or undrafted quarterbacks work out (Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Kurt Warner), but most don’t make it in the NFL. Bonner has the natural skill set, size and leadership ability to be well worth taking a shot on in the 2015 NFL draft.

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.