What we know about the Broncos’ 2022 draft efforts: General manager George Paton will lead the process.
What we don’t know: Just about everything else. Head coach. Coordinators. Quarterback. Schemes. Number of selections.
The Broncos (7-8) need a miracle to reach the playoffs after consecutive losses to Cincinnati and Las Vegas, which means the time has arrived to look ahead to the draft.
Currently, the Broncos have their pick in rounds 1-3 and the Los Angeles Rams’ selections in rounds 2-3 because of the Von Miller trade.
Paton could use those picks to acquire a franchise quarterback via trade, stand pat and make the five selections or move around the figurative chess board to end up with fewer or more pieces. All of which makes Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinal games worth watching for Broncos fans.
Alabama plays Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl and Michigan plays Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Here is one player per team that should be of interest to the Broncos:
Evan Neal
Team: Alabama
Position: Left tackle
Year: Junior
Height/weight: 6-7/350
About Neal: Part of a Crimson Tide offense that averages 42.5 points and 495.5 yards per game. … Started 13 games at left guard in 2019, 12 games at right tackle last year and 13 games at left tackle this year. … First-team All-America selection this year. … Coached by Doug Marrone, formerly a head coach with Buffalo and Jacksonville and a respected offensive line teacher. … “Incredible feet, strong as an ox — I mean, there’s not really much Evan can’t do,” Crimson Tide right tackle Chris Owens said earlier this season. “Of course, Evan’s going to be a top-five pick.”
Why he fits the Broncos: The Broncos need to stop the tumult at right tackle, a position in constant flux since Orlando Franklin left in free agency after the 2014 season. The Ja’Wuan James signing in March 2019 was a disaster and the Broncos have leaned on veterans Demar Dotson (’20) and Bobby Massie (this year) to get them through the last two seasons. The Broncos might have to trade up from their current spot of No. 11 to draft Neal.
Desmond Ridder
Team: Cincinnati
Position: Quarterback
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-4/215
About Ridder: The Bearcats are the first “Group of Five” program to reach the College Football Playoff. … Ridder is 44-5 as a starter and has career totals of 10,095 yards, 87 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. … Thirty touchdowns (eight interceptions) this year. … Two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. … “He’s played a lot of football and he gets them in and out of certain plays at the right times based on fronts and coverages in the run and pass games,” Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding told reporters this week.
Why he fits the Broncos: Paton is expected to re-group at quarterback and letap say he comes up empty on getting a marquee franchise passer and instead signs/trades for a stop-gap. He can then use one of his picks in rounds 1-2 to draft Ridder to pair with the newcomer. But Ridder’s value will be determined by who is running the offense.
Jordan Davis
Team: Georgia
Position: Defensive tackle
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-6/340
About Davis: First-team All-America selection and Outland Trophy winner given to nation’s best offensive/defensive interior lineman. … Bulldogs lead NCAA in fewest points allowed per game (9.5) and are third against the run (81.7). … In 45 games (31 starts), has 87 tackles, seven sacks, 10 1/2 tackles for lost yardage and 22 quarterback pressures. … “He’s the immovable object,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier this season. “He’s impactful. He does everything he can to the best of his ability.”
Why he fits the Broncos: The defense ranks 13th against the run (110.2 yards per game), but has been inconsistent, allowing 102, 147, 86, 182, 216, 89, 113 and 160 yards in their eight losses. Current starter Mike Purcell has two years left on his contract, but at a manageable cap number ($4.5 million and $4.2 million) so drafting Davis wouldn’t mean committing too much money to the position.
Daxton Hill
Team: Michigan
Position: Safety
Year: Junior
Height/weight: 6-0/192
About Hill: Has played 33 games (22 starts) with totals of 147 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and 19 pass break-ups. … Michigan is fourth in scoring defense (16.1 points per game). … Second on Wolverines this year in tackles (65) while starting eight games at nickel and five at free safety. … First-team All-Big Ten. … “(Hill’s) play has been tremendous all year,” coach Jim Harbaugh said at mid-season. “Always near the ball, plays with so much energy. He’s so good.”
Why he fits the Broncos: Safety Kareem Jackson and nickel back Bryce Callahan are both free agents after the season so the Broncos could use their initial second-round pick to draft Hill and see where he fits best depending on if itap coach Vic Fangio’s scheme or a new defensive staff. As a safety, Hill’s ability to play in the box would allow the Broncos to keep Justin Simmons as the deep safety.
