Finding Broncos: Five Defensive Linemen to Bolster Depth

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a group of day-three defensive linemen.

The Denver Broncos lack some depth on their defensive line and could be looking for a new starter if Dre'Mont Jones leaves as a free agent. There is also a chance the Broncos could make Mike Purcell a cap causality, creating a need for a new nose tackle. These five options are split between filling the different needs the Broncos have in their unit. 

Mike Morris | IDL/E | Michigan

© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• Has traits to be versatile on the defensive line.
• Has sound techniques that will need a little refinement. 
• Plenty of lengths, and he uses it. 
• Uses leverage extremely well. 
• Improved from 2021 to 2022, and production reflected that. 
• Has good lateral agility and changes direction smoothly. 
• Ridiculous power throughout his body. 
• Power in his hands and good technique. 

Cons

• Might be a bit of a tweener between edge and interior. 
• Limited experience, with 725 career snaps on defense. 
• Production doesn't match the traits. 
• The technical work he needs is with his balance and pad level. 
• Can get stuck on blocks. 
• Naturally tall doesn't help his issues with his pad level. 
• Motor runs cold more than you like to see. 
• Will get washed out against the run when fighting double teams. 

Fit with Broncos

Morris's positional versatility could interest the Broncos, especially if they lose Dre'Mont Jones. If Morris can develop, and transition to the NFL, then he can be a good option to replace Jones. The lack of experience is an issue, but some of the other mechanical and strength issues could improve with more time. 

Cameron Young | IDL | Mississippi State

© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• Excellent length. 
• Strength constantly flashes as a run defender and pass rusher. 
• Motor fires on all cylinders consistently. 
• Has the strength to hold up against double teams is easy. 
• Can hold up blockers to allow linebackers to be free. 
• Gets hands on the blocker first, more often than not. 

Cons

• Leaves himself open against cut blocks. 
• Doesn't have the best lateral agility. 
• Doesn't have much built with his pass-rush arsenal and technique except for his strength. 
• Needs to stay low as the play goes on. 
• Doesn't change direction well. 
• Will find himself limited to a two-down run defender. 

Fit with Broncos

Cameron Young has the traits to work as a nose tackle in the NFL with his power. It translates easily to the NFL as a run defender. However, the Denver Broncos are in more of a need to help their pass rush, especially if they lose Dre'Mont Jones. 

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Devonnsha Maxwell | IDL | UT-Chattanooga

© Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• Plenty of collegiate experience with excellent production. 
• Picked up 67 stops, 67 pressures, and 23 sacks in the last two seasons. 
• Plays clean with three penalties in his career. 
• Attacks the quarterback with good angles. 
• There is a good arsenal of pass-rush moves with a solid foundation in technique. 
• Sound tackling technique.

Cons

• The technique needs to be refined and cleaned up for better efficiency in the NFL. 
• Tempo can be slow and needs to be consistently faster for the NFL. 
• Could do better to hold up against the run. 
• Will need to get stronger for the NFL.
• Didn't face the toughest of competition.  

Fit with Broncos

Maxwell offers the most pass rush potential of the group and is the most natural fit to potentially replace Dre'Mont Jones. However, Maxwell also needs the most polish and development to transition to the NFL. Nevertheless, he can fit with the Broncos and bolster their pass rush depth while they work to develop him. 

Jerrod Clark | IDL | Coastal Carolina

© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• Has a great build for an NFL nose tackle. 
• Power and grip strength are NFL ready. 
• Has a powerful punch to engage blockers. 
• Uses his strength to open up lanes for the linebackers. 
• His motor makes up for lack of polish as a pass rusher. 
• His quickness and strength can help push the interior of a pocket to keep quarterbacks from climbing. 

Cons

• Too many instances of being put on the ground. 
• While there is some surprising quickness, Clark doesn't offer much as a pass rusher. 
• His weight will need to be regulated, and he could do playing under 330 pounds instead of over 340 pounds. 
• Will need to clean up his weight, as there is a lot of bad weight. 
• Offers up no versatility as a pure 0/1 technique. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos could be in the market for a new nose tackle, as Mike Purcell was recently named as a potential cap casualty. Clark will need to get stronger in the lower half to help him hold up at the NFL, but there is enough strength not to be a liability.

Keondre Coburn | IDL | Texas

© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• Pass rush potential with his strength and bull-rush. 
• Picked up 31 pressures and four sacks in 2022. 
• Plenty of experience during college. 
• Compact frame helps with his power and keeps things clean. 
• Does well to deconstruct blocks.
• His effort and motor runs at 110% every snap. 
• Doesn't seem to have conditioning issues that pop up as the game goes on. 

Cons

• Needs to improve his grip strength, as backs have broken free a few times. 
• Has to work the full length of the rep as he doesn't have the traits to help get early advantages. 
• Doesn't have ideal length, but he makes it work. 
• Limited in role with no versatility to move out from the 0/1 technique. 
• Overall production is lacking in 1,691 snaps played over five years, with over 50% coming in 2022. 

Fit with Broncos

With the Broncos potentially needing a new nose tackle, Coburn is one to keep an eye on. There are plenty of tools and traits to work with, and they could help be a stalwart against the run up front. 

With the Broncos being short on picks, they may have to push down their need to address the defensive line depth. With how this draft class is, one or two of these options might be available as an undrafted free agent. 

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