Broncos Journal: Ranking Denver’s draft needs outside of quarterback
Denver Post
INDIANAPOLIS — The Broncos need a quarterback. That much is clear after the team had formal meetings at the NFL combine with every quarterback linked to the opening rounds of the NFL draft.
At the same time, the Broncos have more than a few question marks outside of the quarterback position. Their needs span both sides of the ball, from the offensive line, to the defensive secondary and nearly everything else in between.
With that in mind, let’s play a fun game and rank Denver’s draft needs outside of QB.
1. Left tackle
The offensive line is one of the most important position groups on a football roster. No matter who is under center for the Broncos in 2024 and beyond, they are not doing that player justice if they don’t provide quality protection up front. Right guard Quinn Meinerz is coming off a strong season, while the team has invested a ton of money in right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers.
While Lloyd Cushenberry III could walk in free agency, the team seems to be high on backup center Alex Forsyth. Questions remain at left tackle, as Garett Bolles is 31, and Denver could save $16 million by releasing him in the offseason. This year’s draft has a solid group of tackles, and if the Broncos can land a starting left tackle in the first round, it would help the franchise long-term.
Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt are two names that come to mind. Both players are plug-and-play guys even though there’s a chance they could get picked before the Broncos make their selection.
Head coach Sean Payton strongly values offensive linemen, as he should. If the Broncos don’t fall in love with a quarterback enough to take in the first round, the next best option is finding an offensive tackle.
2. Edge rusher
Von Miller and Bradley Chubb set a high standard for edge rushers in Denver. Since their departures, the Broncos have struggled to generate consistent pressure off the edge. Denver’s trio of Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper has potential. Bonitto took major strides in his second season, recording eight sacks and 20 quarterback hits in 15 games (four starts). But when facing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a season, the group could use a boost.
Denver’s pass rush could look completely different if it adds Alabama’s Dallas Turner or UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. Turner, who had 10 sacks in 2023, put up impressive numbers at the combine, completing the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds — the best time among edge rushers. His 10-yard split time of 1.54 seconds was tied with Penn State’s Chop Robinson, and he posted the highest vertical jump (40.5 inches) in his position group.
3. Tight end
The Broncos badly need help at tight end. They had one of the least productive tight end rooms in the league as Greg Dulcich, once again, battled hamstring issues. Adam Trautman, who is now a free agent, had only 204 receiving yards.
The Chiefs and 49ers have shown the benefits of having an elite pass-catching tight end. One of the reasons the Lions were so successful in 2023 was because quarterback Jared Goff had rookie tight end Sam LaPorta to rely on. Even though Denver could address this need later in the draft, it’s understandable if the Broncos take Georgia’s Brock Bowers in the first round.
Bowers was productive the moment he stepped on campus and has the talent to be an elite tight end in the league. He had 2,538 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons with the Bulldogs.
4. Cornerback
Did you see the 40-yard dash times from Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins? Mitchell finished in 4.33 seconds before Wiggins topped that with a time of 4.28 seconds. Those two need to call their families and tell them they are a lock for the first round.
But imagine if the Broncos had one of those players or Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who has already expressed interest in playing in Denver. Pat Surtain II is a top-three cornerback in the league, while Ja’Quan McMillian is a solid player in the nickel spot. After Damarri Mathis struggled in his second season, Denver needs another reliable outside cornerback to help in the passing game. One of those three cornerbacks could fill that void in the secondary.
5. Defensive lineman
Denver lacked production on the defensive line last season. Zach Allen had a solid season, but the rest of the group struggled to create quarterback pressure and stop the run. It doesn’t help that Mike Purcell and Jonathan Harris are free agents.
The Broncos could address their issue at defensive line at some point in the draft. Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II could be a first-round target. He is one of the top players at his position, finishing with 29 tackles and five sacks in 2023. Illinois’ Johnny Newton is an intriguing prospect as well. He became the fourth Illini player in school history to earn the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award and the first in 29 years. He could be a force in the pass rush, as he totaled 13 sacks in the last two seasons.
6. Wide receiver
The Broncos have only six picks, and that’s not enough to address every need on the roster. Denver’s Marvin Mims Jr. was Pro Bowl returner as a rookie and has the potential to be much more in the passing game. Meanwhile, Courtland Sutton recorded 10 touchdown receptions after four in the last two years.
With Tim Patrick returning from back-to-back season-ending injuries and uncertainty surrounding Jerry Jeudy’s future in Denver, the organization could draft a wideout. Still, there’s a chance the Broncos keep their wide receiver room intact, which is why the position is last on the list.
Still, this wide receiver class is deep. Denver could be tempted to pull the trigger if someone like Michigan’s Roman Wilson or Florida’s Ricky Pearsall falls to the third round.
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