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Denver Broncos' Early Top-50 Big Board for 2020 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos are a roster with a lot of holes and that could allow the team to go multiple directions in the 2020 NFL Draft. Today's big board hs been built by factoring in team needs, positional value, injuries and scheme fit.
To help me put this big board together is my colleague Carl Dumler, and it reflects how we see things for the Broncos at this time. There is a lot of time between now and the draft and a lot of things will change.
With it being November, this is how we see it currently.
1-10
Carl and I were in agreement for the first five. The value, need and scheme fit of the two tackles shoot them to the top of the board for the Broncos. What lands Chase Young so high isn’t need or scheme fit, but he is a phenomenal talent and a very important position.
Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert aren’t currently the top quarterbacks, but they are nearly a perfect scheme fit for what the Broncos want to do on offense. Plus, the Broncos have a need at quarterback and the still isn’t sure that they have one in Drew Lock.
Rounding out the top-10 you have two dynamic receivers that would bring outstanding playmaking ability to be paired with Courtland Sutton. Derrick Brown is a good scheme fit on the D-line, and the need is there with Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis set to be free agents after this year.
Isaiah Simmons would bring an athlete to the linebacker position, which Denver is missing. The top-10 ends with the cornerback out of DB university. Jeffrey Okudah is the top corner, and there is a need for the position. Both Carl and I agreed that while he can work in zone, Okudah is better playing man coverage, which is what saw him fall to No. 10.
11-20
The next group kicks off with three Crimson Tide teammates, with the first bringing speed and that deep threat that the Broncos offense is missing. Then you have a left tackle that is rising up boards and their quarterback who is the top quarterback but his fit with the Broncos isn’t like the other quarterbacks.
The No. 2 corner in Kristian Fulton just finds himself in the top-15. He is a scheme fit, but there have been some concerns rising about his tackling.
Interior offensive line isn’t highly valued, but Creed Humphrey is a heck of a player and a great fit for the Broncos, as is A.J. Epenesa on the defensive front. Epenesa hasn’t quite had the year expected, but there are flashes that will draw teams.
Back to the interior offensive line with another great scheme fit, and very smart center. If Connor McGovern doesn’t return or his play continues to be poor then there is a major need there. Javon Kinlaw is a defensive weapon on the defensive line, and has drawn comparisons to Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rounding out the top-20 is the dynamic receiver in the Broncos' backyard, and a corner that has fallen some this season with major concerns popping up with his tackling and form. Laviska Shenault would be such a dangerous weapon in this Broncos offense, which boosts his value. Then Bryce Hall is a great scheme fit, but it all comes back to the tackling issues.
21-30
Austin Jackson is climbing up boards with his play for the Trojans. Shaun Wade, who is my personal favorite corner in the class, is a perfect scheme fit for the Broncos. Marvin Wilson is a big interior defensive lineman who is a force to reckon with.
Grant Delpit is the top safety prospect and a top-10 player, but with tackling issues and Denver having Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons, he was pushed down the board for us. Prince Tega Wanogho is an athletic tackle with high upside, and his technique is improving.
Jalen Reagor adds some speed and a dynamic weapon for the offense. Jacob Eason is quickly climbing up boards, and his build and arm are in the mold John Elway likes. Adebo is an athletic corner, and Raekwon Davis is a big wrecking ball on the defensive line. His play against the run is great, but some concerns about lack of growth as a pass rusher.
This is rounded out with safety Xavier McKinney, who would be higher because of his versatility if Denver didn’t have two safeties playing at a high level.
31-40
There isn’t a major need for an edge with the Broncos and that dropped multiple edges down the board for Carl and me. Dylan Moses’ injury makes him hard to project because there isn’t a chance to see growth from him, and that saw him end up lower than he probably would have.
Trevon Diggs is a good corner, but there were concerns with us about his fit within the scheme. The positional value for a running back is so low, so all running backs really feel down the board for us, but at this point, D'Andre Swift’s talent was too much to pass up and that is similar to Tee Higgins. It wasn’t the value of running backs, but the value of the type of receiver Higgins is and his fit with what Denver has already.
Jedrick Wills is a rising tackle and Kenneth Murray is really working up boards. Both of them have been playing great football and pushing first-round status. C.J. Henderson is a good corner and a solid scheme fit, but other players just were better talents or better fits which pushed him down.
Jonathan Taylor is the perfect scheme fit as a running back as the scheme the Broncos run is similar to what the Badgers run. Then you have a great athlete, and scheme fit in A.J. Terrell to round out this group of players.
41-50
To round out the top-50, we have a hurt left tackle that would be much higher if not for the injury and a Sooners quarterback. Lincoln Riley has turned into the quarterback whisperer at Oklahoma. The two safeties are great prospects, but the need isn’t there. K.J Hamler is a smaller receiver, but a really dynamic weapon. As for Tylan Wallace, Carl and I wanted to put him higher, but because of his injury, we had to drop him.
Jake Fromm is falling down boards, and wouldn’t surprise me if he returned to school. He is a good fit for the Broncos scheme, but there are concerns about his arm and play when the play doesn’t go on schedule.
Tyler Johnson is a good route runner with solid hands, but he isn’t the most dynamic of receivers. Then you have a good pass rusher, but he looks like a Robin to someone’s Batman. There just wasn’t a need for edge to help Curtis Weaver.
The No. 50 player is Clemson running back Travis Etienne. His lack of receiving ability, and his comment about being scared as a receiver saw him plummet for us.
Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and Carl @CarlDumlerMHH and don't forget to follow @MileHighHuddle for our top-notch coverage of the 2020 NFL Draft.
