Positions and Players The Broncos Should Watch for in This Year’s Combine
With the NFL combine now in full swing the Denver Broncos, George Paton, and the scouting team arrive in Indianapolis ready to evaluate the future Broncos for the 2022-2023 season. Although in media it is discussed that the Broncos are a “quarterback away from contention”, the roster overall will need more than an upgrade at the quarterback position.
Here are some positions and players George Paton and Denver Broncos should look into at the 2022 NFL combine.
Note* The positions are not ordered by importance but the players are ranked by preference
Quarterback
With the narrative that the Broncos is a “quarterback away”, George Paton and the scouts may find their franchise QB in this perceived “non-standout” class. However realistically as George Paton said on Tuesday that “everything is on the table” if the Denver Broncos were to draft a quarterback it would have to be one that they are in love with rather than one that they “like". Moreover per Mike Klis, the Broncos scheduled formal interviews with Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, and Malik Willis.
Malik Willis (Liberty)
Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh)
Matt Corral (Ole Miss/Will not throw at the combine)
Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)
Sam Howell (North Carolina)
Honorable Mentions: Carson Strong (Nevada), Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky), Kaleb Eleby (Western Michigan)
Running Back
As Melvin Gordon enters free agency not guaranteed to return to Denver, George Paton on Tuesday elaborated that he held discussions with Gordon’s management about a potential return. However with a return not certain, the Denver Broncos in this year’s draft will have to examine the running back position at the combine.
James Cook (Georgia)
Brian Robinson (Alabama)
Tyler Badie (Missouri)
Kennedy Brooks (Oklahoma)
Rachaad White (Arizona State)
Offensive Tackle (Right Tackle)
As the 19th ranked offensive line according to PFF, the Denver Broncos in the 2022 draft will need to find upgrades, long-term prospects, and improved play in this year’s combine. Because although the quarterback whether it be Lock, a new acquisition, or a rookie. The next Denver Broncos quarterback will need time and a line that will protect him. So as Paton, the scouts, Butch Barry, and Ben Steele evaluate the prospects in this class the right tackle and tackle depth, in general, will be something the team must prioritize.
Ickey Ekwonu (N.C. State)
Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
Daniel Faalele (Minnesota)
Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)
Darian Kinnard (Kentucky)
Edge
As a top 5 ranked defense in the NFL, although the numbers showcased the Broncos were one the best in the league. The tape may say otherwise with one of the problems being their inconsistent pass rush. Which Nick Kendell of the Mile High Huddle pointed out to be near the bottom of the league.
Here a couple names that the Denver Broncos and Broncos country should look out for.
Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)
David Ojabo (Michigan)
George Karlaftis (Purdue)
Boye Mafe (Minnesota)
Kingsley Enagbare (South Carolina)
Honorable Mentions: Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati), Tre Williams (Arkansas)
Defensive Tackle
Similar to the tweet above although Broncos were top 20 in the league in run defense, if you were highlight games such as the week 7 versus Cleveland Browns and week 16 versus the Las Vegas Raiders. The Broncos struggled defending the run with Mike Purcell and Shamar Stephen on the defensive line. So heading into the combine and NFL draft, defensive or nose tackle will be position in need of an upgrade.
Travis Jones (Connecticut)
Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)
DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
Inside Linebacker
Entering the combine the Denver Broncos projected inside linebacking core is Baron Browning, Justin Strnad, and Barringon Wade. As Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, and Kenny Young will be free agents with only one of them expected to be resigned. However for this defense for the middle linebacker position the Broncos are missing the sideline to sideline, pass coverage, and playmaking linebacker similar to that of Devin White or Bobby Wagner.
Here are playmakers the Broncos should look out for.
Devin Lloyd (Utah)
Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
Brandon Smith (Penn State)
Quay Walker (Georgia)
Chad Muma (Wyoming)
Honorable mentions: Channing Tindall (Georgia), Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma), and Nate Landman (Colorado).
Cornerback
As Bryce Callahan and Kyle Fuller enter free agency, the Broncos will have three active cornerbacks on the roster (Surtain, Darby, and Ojemudia). During this week, Paton mentioned he is communication with Callahan’s agents, him resigning will not be a guarantee. So as former Rams secondary coach/now Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and George Paton build the secondary. They will have to examine this deep cornerback class.
Marcus Jones (Houston)
Coby Bryant (Cincinnati)
Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
Zyon McCollum (Sam Houston State)
Roger McCreary (Auburn)
With 11 draft picks, four of which being in the top 100, the Denver Broncos have the potential under George Paton to have another successful draft class and rebuild once again towards playoff contention.
