The draft is a passion for NFL reporter Jeff Legwold, who evaluates several hundred players each year during the months leading up to the annual selections. Legwold offers his insights here daily, with additional entries at .
In their quest to infuse more youth into a 30-something secondary, the Broncos know they will have only one chance at the best cornerback in this draft — Patrick Peterson — and that’s with the No. 2 pick. However, beyond Peterson and Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara — also a likely top-10 pick — there is a big dropoff on the board at cornerback.
Moving down the board, the Broncos have had Miami teammates Brandon Harris and DeMarcus Van Dyke in for visits. Harris is the more highly rated of the two because he consistently makes plays with the ball in the air, but Van Dyke, at 176 pounds, was one of the fastest players at the combine and ran for the Hurricanes’ track team.
The Broncos have a far bigger need at safety and have spent plenty of time looking at that position.
They came away impressed with North Carolina’s Da’Norris Searcy, a 223-pound strong safety, in their interview at the scouting combine. They also had Temple’s Jaiquawn Jarrett and Oklahoma’s Quinton Carter at their Dove Valley complex for visits.
Carter is rare for a strong safety in that he has lined up and succeeded in man coverage in Bob Stoops’ defense, playing both strong and free safety in that system.
Jarrett plays well in man coverage and is considered a free safety prospect as he enters the NFL.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
