2016 NFL Draft Sleepers Who'd Fit Perfectly with the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have an uncanny knack for finding sleepers in the draft. For years the Broncos have been able to pluck quality talent from the later rounds in the draft—and even from the pool of undrafted free agents. Just to name a few, they’ve found guys like Virgil Green (2011, seventh round), Chris Harris Jr. (2011, undrafted) and C.J. Anderson (2013, undrafted) in the later part of the draft or outside the draft.

This offseason, the Broncos have seen a few key players leave via free agency. Players like Danny Trevathan (2012, sixth round) and Malik Jackson (2012, fifth round) were once late-round picks for the Broncos, and now they’ve been rewarded with huge free-agent deals from other teams.

The Broncos could use a little more of that late-round talent to develop like those two (and others). With general manager John Elway running the show, the Broncos are certainly looking at every possible target in the available talent pool.

Here are five sleepers in the 2016 NFL draft who’d fit perfectly with the Broncos.

CB Rashard Robinson, LSU

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Denver has taken chances on players with character issues before, and there’s a certain tipping point in the draft for those types of prospects. That’s why a cornerback like LSU’s Rashard Robinson could be an option for the Broncos on the last day of the draft.

From a physical standpoint, Robinson has a fine skill set and could be an impact playmaker at the pro level. He’s a tall corner (6’1”) with the length to be disruptive as passes are incoming. Robinson has smooth athleticism and displays ease when turning to cover downfield routes. Off-field issues are likely to cause a slide to the third day of the draft for the talented corner.

Robinson showed up at LSU in 2013, but he was struggling to maintain his eligibility before the start of that season. He did end up playing in 12 games and started two of those contests. The trouble would continue in 2014, but it didn’t start right away.

Robinson was suspended for the season opener for the Bayou Bengals, but he did start in six of eight contests played that year. Head coach Les Miles suspended Robinson indefinitely in November of that year, and Robinson was not reinstated for the 2015 season. He was arrested in June 2015 for unauthorized entry into teammate Anthony Jennings' apartment, sat out the entire year rather than transfer and now finds himself looking for a spot in the NFL.

Mike Klis from 9News in Denver tweeted on Monday night the Broncos had Robinson in for a workout earlier that day. In the month leading up to the draft, each team in the NFL is allowed to invite 30 draft-eligible prospects in for a private workout. That’s a fairly limited number compared to the total player pool, so obviously Robinson is a player the Broncos want to take a closer look at.

NFLDraftScout.com currently has Robinson projected as a fourth-round pick.

LB Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

You can never have too many pass-rushers, and that’s why the Broncos should be scouring the later rounds of the draft for more guys who can get after the passer. Many 3-4 teams will take a look at college defensive ends to see if they can make the transition to linebacker in the pros. Vanderbilt linebacker Stephen Weatherly fits that bill, and he is on the radar for the Broncos.

Weatherly has long limbs and a strong physique. On film in college, he showed the ability to work well in space. He’s got the athleticism to chase down plays that go away from him, and he can change directions without losing much speed.

As a pass-rusher, Weatherly is raw, but his natural athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect with the upside to become a part-time player at least. The Broncos aren’t shy about taking players who need some work—so long as the raw tools are there. They clearly are, as Weatherly has a fantastic size/athleticism combination.

Like Robinson, the Broncos had Weatherly in for a private workout on Monday per 9News reporter Mike Klis. Weatherly’s best football could be ahead of him, especially because he could be well coached by guys like Wade Phillips in Denver. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com actually compares Weatherly to former Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith. While Smith’s pro career was a wash, the talent was always there—he just had trouble staying healthy in the NFL.

NFLDraftScout.com currently has Weatherly projected as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.

WR Ricardo Louis, Auburn

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

It may seem unusual to consider with the depth at wide receiver, but fans should not be surprised if the Broncos snare a wideout from the player pool on the final day of the draft. One of the players who could be a late-round steal is Auburn’s Ricardo Louis.

He clearly has the ability to make big catches at clutch moments, as evidenced by his last-minute touchdown grab (off a tipped pass) against Georgia in 2013. That type of concentration can definitely get the attention of NFL scouts. Louis has the type of run-after-the-catch ability that could help him standout in the pros. He’s not afraid to run routes over the middle, and Louis does a good job of pulling away from a defender after fighting for the ball.

Louis is a project, but his raw athleticism makes him an intriguing late-round consideration. His route running needs work, as he will too often tip off defenders when the pass is coming in. He could use some more savvy off the line of scrimmage as well. Louis relies on physical tools more than subtle fakes to get open. He’s an explosive player with the ball in his hands, but he could use more of that explosion on shorter routes.

Earlier this year at the scouting combine, Louis was one of the top performers in the 40-yard dash (4.43), bench press (18 reps), vertical jump (38 inches) and broad jump (132 inches). He’s a project, but one the Broncos might be willing to take a chance on.

NFLDraftScout.com currently has Louis projected as a seventh-round pick.

SS K.J. Dillon, West Virginia

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Denver's defense features an intimidator at strong safety in veteran T.J. Ward, but it could use better depth behind him at the position. One player who sometimes looks like Ward on the playing field is West Virginia safety K.J. Dillon.

Like Ward, Dillon is an intimidator on the field who does not back down from any challenge. He arrives at the ball with natural violence, and he can be a disruptive player. Dillon does a good job of diagnosing plays as they unfold in front of him, and he always seems to be around the ball. Over the last two years, he had 20 pass breakups and five interceptions for the Mountaineers.

Dillon’s aggression can be used against him. He’ll miss tackles as he tries to rip the ball away instead of taking his man down. He will take false steps and overrun the ball-carrier as he’s sometimes too soon to the play.

Earlier this year at the 2016 Reese’s Senior Bowl, Dillon showed well each day in practice. He was getting perhaps a little too physical during drills, but he showed the nose for the ball you can see on film.

NFLDraftScout.com currently has Dillon projected as a fifth-round pick.

RB Keith Marshall, Georgia

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

The Broncos may find another late-round gem running back from the University of Georgia this year. In the 1995 NFL draft, they selected Terrell Davis in the sixth round, and he went on to become the greatest running back in team history. Keith Marshall is unlikely to be the next Davis, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make a good impact in the pros.

Arriving at Georgia as a highly touted high school recruit (North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year during his final prep season), it seemed like Marshall was going to be the next great Bulldogs running back.

Marshall started off with a decent freshman season, but five games into his sophomore year he injured his knee and missed the rest of the season. As a junior, Marshall could only play in three games as he was still dealing with the injury. After Nick Chubb was hurt in 2015, Marshall came in and flashed a bit like his old self.

Upside is the name of the game with Marshall, and if he can regain the form he showed a few years ago, then his upside is that of a lead back. The Broncos have an advantage with C.J. Anderson as their clear-cut bell-cow back. Anderson is going to be asked to carry a large workload—perhaps the largest of his football career—but the team could use a talented reserve back to give Anderson a breather from time to time. That could easily be a player like Marshall.

NFLDraftScout.com currently has Marshall projected as a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

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.