Finding Broncos: 15 2020 draft prospects to monitor this season
Even though we're on the doorstep of the regular season, every NFL team has personnel people at work scouting the 2020 NFL Draft class. Here at Mile High Huddle, it's no different.
I have been looking into 2020 prospects that could end up high on the Broncos' big board, or guys that could fall off. Since there are still basically 10 months until the 2020 draft, a lot can change.
College players have just barely started playing the games on their schedule. Injuries can happen. Prospects can falter or come from nowhere.
This article doesn't aim to give these players a grade, by any means. The simple reason for that is, there are still so many variables. This article, rather, is meant to highlight these prospects and reveal why they may or may not be of interest for the Denver Broncos.
Some of these prospects may be at a position that doesn’t seem like a Broncos' need, like quarterbacks, but for the reason of depth, they got included. For all we know, the quarterbacks could fall and Denver could be interested in picking up a backup for Drew Lock or competition for Lock for after Joe Flacco. With that said, let's jump in.
Jake Bentley, QB, South Carolina
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Going into the 2018 season, there were many analysts who had Bentley pegged as a future first-round pick. However, he didn’t take the necessary steps to cement himself as one and ultimately decided to return for his senior season.
Heading into the 2019 season, draft folks want to see the progression they were hoping for a year ago. Working on his base and cleaning up the release timing can help with accuracy, which needs improvement despite completing over 60% of his passes that often saw his receivers bail him out.
Bentley has a gunslinger's mentality that works sometimes, and fails at others, and he needs to check that and cut down on the interceptions.
K.J. Costello, QB, Stanford
There are some things that really stand out with Costello’s game. His passes carry good velocity and the mechanics are pretty sound. Costello is a risk-taker, but they are calculated risks and he has a lot of trust in his teammates.
He will need to work on protecting the ball when maneuvering in the pocket, as he has a bad tendency to carry it loosely, leaving a chance for easy strips. There is also a need to break his bad habit of side arming the ball.
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The speed is there to be a dangerous weapon and a playmaker in the NFL. As a runner, he is very dangerous, but there is a major concern. With his speed you want him to do work as a receiver, and he has come out and said he is nervous and spooked as a pass-catcher.
With his traits, you don’t want that in Etienne. Dangerous speed at running back is even more dangerous when they can be a receiving threat, and that being said, NFL teams are going to be scared off.
Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Jefferson is the son of an NFL veteran so he knows what it takes to be an pro player and the demands of the lifestyle. He plays with a good use of leverage to his game, which can be used inside or outside.
There is solid speed there with Jefferson, but he doesn’t have that consistent deep threat speed, which is fine with his playstyle. It would be nice to see him add some bulk during this season, and show better timing when attacking the jump balls. There also needs to be some major progress when in traffic.
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
One of my early favorites for next year's class, Hill is such a smooth operator. His body control is great, he extends for the ball, adjusts to every type of ball thrown his way and has really good, soft hands.
There is a lot to like about his game, but he is more jack-of-all-trades type and a master of none. I am curious about his arm length, which affects his catch radius and his fight off of press coverage.
Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford
This Stanford product is an excellent athlete and has great size at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds. He doesn’t have the strength or physicality of an NFL tight end, and is mainly used as a big receiver.
With his size and athleticism, Parkinson is a true mismatch for defenses. His route tree is a little limited, and the lack of physicality is concerning, but teams are going to love the size, speed and athleticism Parkinson has and the options he gives an offense.
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
This is many scouts' top offensive tackle prospect, including me. Wirfs' size, strength and surprisingly quick and nimble feet are exactly what you want to find in an offensive tackle prospect.
What weaknesses that are there in his game are just a thing he does every now and then. He will mistime his punch, dip his shoulders, be quick to open his hips, but he does these so rarely the number of times can be counted on my fingers. This Iowa prospect is going to go high in the draft, barring an injury.
Alex Leatherwood, OG, Alabama
A really good athlete on the interior of the offensive line. He knows how to use a defenders momentum against them, and does such a great job when executing zone blocks.
Leatherwood's play at right guard was great, but he is moving to left tackle. If he can play just as good at left tackle as he did at guard, his stock is going to skyrocket and you could see him push for the No. 1 tackle in the class. It all depends on how he does playing left tackle.
Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
A player who may have seen himself go round one had he declared last year. Biadasz is the top interior offensive lineman and is a tremendous talent. When blocking head-on, there are little-to-no areas of concern.
What does stand out is when he has to move out and get in front of the play either being pulled or a screen pass. It isn’t bad, but his timing can be inconsistent and the one area of concern you really want to see improvement. That said, he will likely be a 10-year starter at center and play at a high level every year.
Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU
Had he declared last year, Lawrence would have easily been a round-three pick, if not round two. He has an ideal NFL build for the interior defensive line, and moves very well when attacking gaps, or moving laterally on outside runs.
There isn’t much there in refinement as a pass rusher, and few moves, but he has decent strength and good quickness to get push up the middle. He could step in right now and will likely be a really good run defender in the NFL.
A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
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Despite how much fun I find it to dog on Iowa because of my colleague Nick Kendell, it is hard to this year. You have already read about Wirfs, but on defense, the Hawkeyes have Epenesa who is a top-5 edge heading into the college season.
Epenesa has length and power that has led to throwing around offensive linemen in multiple games. His conversion of speed to power makes him even harder to block against. What weaknesses there are come in his get off and lack of bend, which is something that can’t be taught. There is also a limitation of pass rush moves, but those can be learned.
Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame
Looks like he has good length to add with his good size overall, and has great bend to get around the arch. With a great first step, good technical foundation, timing and athleticism, Okwara can be hard to defend.
There are some concerns with his strength, especially handling his job in run defense. Teams will want to see him bulk up and add about 10-15 pounds prior to entering the NFL.
Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami
Physicality is the name of the game for Quarterman and he will make his presence known between the tackles and as a blitzer. He makes good reads and has a good feel to sniff out running lanes to make the play.
Just like other linebackers with those traits, Quarterman has some issues in coverage. With okay speed and athleticism, he is limited in what he offers in pass coverage. There are traits to work with, and a certain way he can be used, but he is likely going to find himself limited to a two-down role in the NFL.
Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
First and foremost, the sub-180-pound corner is going to need to bulk up for the NFL. Teams are going to be a little turned off with Hill being that light. His lack of weight also will show up with his play as he will avoid contact head-on, and get bullied by bigger stronger receivers.
Outside of those concerns, his footwork is great and his hands are always working and they don’t get grabby. The technique has a really good base for the NFL. It all comes down to being sub-180.
J.R. Reed, S, Georgia
A strong tackler that plays with good speed and aggression. He can more than handle his own in man coverage, and does his job in double high looks. There are some limitations to his game, and you don’t want him as a single high safety.
Also the farther away he gets from the line of scrimmage, the more concerned you are with being aggressive. Either way, he is a good safety prospect that can show more consistency, aggression and awareness to help out his draft stock.
Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.
