The NFL Scouting Combine takes place this week and the Broncos have plenty to evaluate before the NFL draft on April 28-30.
Will they go after a quarterback? Or find an edge rusher to replace the hole left by Von Miller? How about an inside linebacker?
Here’s a look at who national draftniks are thinking will land in Denver.
USA Today | Luke Easterling | Updated March 1
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
“This defense could use an athletic, physical linebacker who can make big plays on all three downs. Thatap exactly what Dean did this past season for the most dominant defense in college football, helping lead the Bulldogs to a national title.” .
CBS Sports | Ryan Wilson | Updated March 1
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
“A year ago the Broncos took Patrick Surtain in this range and now they double down with Sauce Gardner, who is coming off a great showing for the Bearcats. Drafting CBs with back-to-back first-round picks might seem like overkill, but Denver will lose some members of its secondary to free agency, and more than that, they play in a division that includes Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.” .
ESPN | Mel Kiper Jr. | Updated March 1
Trade: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State
What the Broncos get: No. 13 overall pick and a third-round selection.
What the Browns get: No. 9 overall pick.
“Johnson is one of the biggest risers of the past month; he dominated at the Senior Bowl, showing that his 12 sacks after transferring from Georgia weren’t a fluke. He destroyed offensive tackles in Mobile, Alabama. With Von Miller gone, this is a spot the Broncos can improve upon, especially with Bradley Chubb’s injury issues. They finished the season ranked last in the league in pass rush win rate. Johnson has a big frame (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) and can play with his hand in the dirt or on his feet in a 3-4 defense. I’m a fan.” .
NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah | Updated Feb. 22
Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State
“Johnson continues to check every box. He followed up a productive fall with a dominant week at the Senior Bowl. Denver could draft a QB but there are veteran options available.” .
Pro Football Focus | Steve Palazzolo | Updated Feb. 28
George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
“Karlaftis is a powerful edge defender who fits a need in the Broncos’ front seven. He recorded a 90.9 pass-rush grade last season and one of the best pass-rush win rates in recent years, but he still needs to clean up some of his work in the run game.” .
ESPN | Todd McShay | Updated Feb. 16
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
“The defense got strong returns from Pat Surtain II in his rookie year, but there are definitely some weak spots on that side of the ball. The Broncos were bottom six in both pass rush win rate (31.3%, 32nd) and run stop win rate (27.8%, 27th). And linebackers Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell and Kenny Young are all primed for free agency. Lloyd plays fast, is rangy and has great recognition skills. I have Georgia’s Nakobe Dean ranked higher, but I’m hearing some teams like Lloyd a bit more. He’s a plug-and-play starter who can be Denver’s leader on defense.” .
NFL.com | Bucky Brooks | Updated March 1
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
“The versatile Lloyd is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with exceptional instincts, awareness and ball skills.” .
NFL.com | Cynthia Frelund | Updated Feb. 11
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
“Could I have put a QB here? Sure. But I believe, heading into Super Bowl LVI, that Denver will be a big player in the veteran QB market. My model also doesn’t believe that any of the draft-eligible QBs are prudent picks at No. 9 overall (especially in this no-trades-allowed mock). Now that that’s out of the way, we can talk about Lloyd, given one of the highest ceilings in this entire class by my model, in large part due to his high production in each of the areas he was asked to handle: blitzing off the edge, coverage, taking on blocks and covering tight ends, among others. Computer vision shows he has elite pursuit (top 90th percentile in ability to get his hips in the right direction toward the ball) on passing plays in zone coverage.” .
NFL.com | Lance Zierlein | Updated Feb. 8
David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
“Unless the Broncos grade this year’s QB class differently than I expect, Ojabo could very well be the pick. He’s not ready as a run defender but his pass-rush talent is undeniable.” .
Sporting News | Vinnie Iyer | Updated March 1
David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
“The Broncos, should they find a QB in free agency or later in the draft, will be thinking about the second level of their defense to help new coordinator Ed Donatell. Inside, Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell are unsigned but they could also look to an explosive, relentless rising pass-rusher to replace Von Miller opposite Bradley Chubb.” .
NFL.com | Chad Reuter | Updated Feb. 14
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
“Pickett’s double-jointed thumb should not distract people from his ability to lead an offense. The Broncos will appreciate his underrated athleticism and competitive nature.” .
Other Broncos picks:
- Second round, 40th pick: Nik Bonitto, Edge, Oklahoma
- Second round, 64th pick: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
- Third round, 75th pick: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
- Third round, 96th pick: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
Sports Illustrated | Zack Patraw | Updated Feb. 28
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
“Ball placement is one of his best attributes, Pickett understands where to place the ball to maximize YAC, or to help his target avoid a big hit from an incoming defender. From within the pocket, Pickett was asked to make full-field reads in Pitt’s Pro Style Offense, and he improved drastically throughout his experienced career.” .
The Athletic | Nick Baumgardner | Updated Feb. 22
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
“Denver doesn’t have to draft Pickett (or Malik Willis or someone else), but finding a long-term quarterback is the No. 1 priority for the Broncos, whether in the draft, free agency or via trade. Pickett has played a ton of football, doesn’t make mistakes and has a legit arm. Does he look like he was built in a lab? No. Is he a very good football player? The Broncos (and other quarterback-needy teams) can pick that apart in Indy.” .
