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The Broncos will be busy at this year’s NFL scouting combine.
Denver will be drafting in the first round for the first time since 2021. And among the 321 players invited to Indianapolis could be the franchise’s next edge rusher, offensive tackle, cornerback or quarterback.
Here are a few storylines to look out for at the combine, which starts Feb. 27.
More clarity on the Russell Wilson situation
Broncos coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton will speak to reporters for the first time since the end-of-the-season news conference in January.
This could be an opportunity for them to shed more light on quarterback Russell Wilson’s future in Denver. Paton previously said the door is open for the nine-time Pro Bowler to return after being benched for the final two games of the season. Even Wilson, 35, said he wanted to be back.
Still, it’s more likely that both sides are preparing for divorce than a reunion. Denver has until March 17 to release Wilson before his 2025 salary of $37 million becomes fully guaranteed. Still, the Broncos will be forced to eat up $85 million in dead money. Even if the Broncos found a trade partner, it would not provide a ton of salary cap relief.
While Wilson will most likely be the main speaking point of Payton and Paton’s new conference, they could give an idea of their plans for other roster decisions. Will they re-sign center Lloyd Cushenberry or Josey Jewell? Have there been discussions with cornerback Pat Surtain II about a contract extension? Will Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick play together in 2024?
Will McCarthy make a case for being a top-10 pick?
Speaking of quarterbacks, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy could use his combine to go up on the draft boards. McCarthy has been linked to the Broncos in a few mock drafts, while NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the national champion getting drafted inside the top 10. McCarthy’s weigh-in numbers at the combine will be essential, as his 202-pound frame raises some concerns.
McCarthy wasn’t asked to do much on Michigan’s offense, but his ability to create plays and be an accurate passer is one reason some draft evaluators are high on him. Not to mention, he just turned 21. USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels are the top three quarterbacks in the draft. But McCarthy could create even more separation from Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix as the fourth-best quarterback.
“When you dig into (McCarthy’s) tape, there’s a lot to like about him,” Jeremiah said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday. “He’s got a quick release, and everything he does is smooth.”
Holker and Kamara are among the local prospects at the combine
There will be a few Colorado college football players in attendance at this year’s combine. Buffs wide receiver Xavier Weaver as well as Colorado State tight end Dallin Holker and edge rusher Mohamed Kamara were invited to Indianapolis.
Weaver was one of Shedeur Sanders’ top targets, as he totaled 68 catches for a team-best 908 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Holker and Kamara are potential late-round picks that could fill Denver’s draft needs.
Holker was one of the best tight ends in the country in 2023, as he had 767 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his lone season with the Rams. Meanwhile, Kamara has recorded 29 sacks in the last three years, including a career-high 13 in his fifth and final season at Colorado State.
Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten, former Valor Christian standouts, will also be in attendance.
Which Senior Bowl standouts will continue to improve their draft stock?
Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson and South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler were among a handful of players who watched their stock rise during the Reese’s Senior Bowl last month.
Rattler was named the Senior Bowl MVP after he went 4-for-4 with 65 passing yards and one touchdown during the game. Williams and Maye have commanded the hype, but Rattler has the potential to be a sleeper pick and could make a case to be a second-round pick, depending on how well he performs at the combine.
Mitchell and Robinson were impressive during Senior Bowl practices. Mitchell is a ballhawk with elite speed. It would be interesting to see Mitchell’s time during the 40-yard dash. Meanwhile, Robinson went from a potential Day 2 or 3 pick to the possibility of getting selected in the first round after showcasing the ability to be a disruptor up front.
Strong offensive tackle class
At some point, the Broncos will need to address their future at left tackle since Garett Bolles is 31 and will be a free agent in 2025. Jeremiah is high on offensive tackles in this year’s draft, calling it a loaded group.
“Just in terms of that top group, there’s 10 (to) 11 guys that are really interesting. I think we’ll see a bunch of Day 1 starters out of that tackle group,” he said.
Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt are two of the top tackle prospects in the draft. Fashanu has the potential to be a plug-and-play player who can line up at either tackle spot.
Outside of those two players, Washington Troy Fautanu and Alabama’s JC Latham are potential first-round picks the Broncos could consider. Meanwhile, Jeremiah said Yale’s Kiran Amegadjie and Houston’s Patrick Paul are potential Day 2 prospects that have stood out to him.
“To me, Patrick Paul from Houston is very raw,” Jeremiah said. “He will probably go somewhere on Day 2, maybe in the third round. He is 6-foot-7, 333 pounds, and has incredible length.”
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