TOP OF THE CROP
E Durant Brooks, P, 6-feet, 204 pounds, Georgia Tech
If he could kick off, he would be a third-round pick. But he can’t.
Taylor Melhoff, K, 5-11, 183, Wisconsin
Nice combination of leg strength and accuracy likely makes him a late-round pick.
Brett Kern, P, 6-3, 195, Toledo
Polished enough to punt during the regular season as a rookie.
Mike Dragosavich, P, 6-6, 212, North Dakota State
Can get incredible leg whip when he connects, but lanky build also leads to inconsistent mechanics.
Shane Longest, K, 5-10, 177, Saint Xavier (Ill.)
The only draft prospect who handled punting, place-kicking and kickoffs in college.
SLEEPER
Brandon Coutu, K, 5-11, 187, Georgia
Strong and accurate, but hamstring problems the past two years dropped his stock. The Broncos like him.
OVERRATED
Alexis Serna, K, 5-7, 170, Oregon State
As a sophomore, he beat out CU’s Mason Crosby for the Lou Groza Award. But Serna had a disappointing senior season.
BRONCOS’ NEEDS
From the draft, the priority would be Brooks. He is by far the best punter prospect available. With two fourth-round draft picks, the Broncos may use one on Brooks if he hasn’t been selected. If not, the Broncos likely will bring in a veteran free agent to compete with the inexperienced Sam Paulescu and Danny Baugher. For the past 15 years, Jason Elam was their kicker. He’s now gone to the Falcons. Matt Prater is their kicker, but the Broncos may bring in veteran Mike Vanderjagt.
TEAMS WITH NEEDS
Colts
Adam Vinatieri missed all three field goals longer than 39 yards last year.
Chiefs
They gave up on drafted rookie Justin Medlock early last season.
Seahawks
In Olindo Mare and Ryan Plackemeier, Seattle’s kicking is questionable.
Cardinals
Could use competition for Dirk Johnson, the veteran from Northern Colorado who punted in just one game last year.
Patriots
Not that they punt much, but they may want more than Chris Hanson.
Area prospects
D Jimmie Kaylor, P, 6-2, 205, CSU, free agent
Billy Vinnedge, P, 6-1, 198, Wyoming, FA
Kevin Eberhart, K, 5-11, 195, CU, FA
