Broncos Senior Bowl Notebook: 3 Stand-Outs From Day 2
Mobile, AL. — What a relief it is to know that the Denver Broncos have selected Sean Payton as their next head coach. Not only does it provide immediate direction for an aimless, lost franchise, but Broncos GM George Paton’s scouting contingency can finally identify the specific nature of which prospects most align with the new head coach's vision.
We have to distinguish Payton from Paton because there is still the theory that perhaps Denver’s GM could be on the outside looking in after the NFL draft this spring. While I’m not calling for the GM's job, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Denver’s next head coach would prefer to select an NFL executive of his choosing, a la Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers hiring John Lynch for the job.
The Broncos are beginning to set sail in a specific direction, with Payton manning the helm of Denver’s vessel. Scouts will be tasked with identifying players that fit his scheme and his grand plan for restoring the franchise’s reputation and winning culture.
With the second day of Senior Bowl practices in the books, let's examine three prospects who will most likely be on the Broncos' Big Board come this spring.
Dawand Jones | OT | Ohio State
It’s hard to miss the 6-foot-8, 375-pound offensive lineman walking down the street or mauling Senior Bowl prospects on the field. The outstanding Buckeye standout broke records in Mobile before even stepping foot onto the practice field, logging a record-setting 89.5-inch wingspan, which is equivalent to a man standing 7-foot-5.
Despite his size, the Indiana native was only a three-star prospect coming out of high school, although he was an accomplished basketball player that averaged 17 ppg with nine assists. Jones quickly became a pillar of the Buckeyes program, playing nine games as a freshman. Last season, Jones played in 11 games, logging 693 snaps, surrendering four QB hurries, zero QB hits, and zero sacks as OSU’s starting right tackle.
This man is a bouncer who quite literally was tossing guys out of the club. Jones' pass protection sets are full of power punches, while his larger-than-life frame is a nightmare for pass rushers to get around, underneath, and rarely through.
Jones does a remarkable job at lowering his pad level as a run blocker so that he can completely impose his will on quicker defenders, driving them into the ground or through the sideline. After a stellar Day 1, Jones surprised many by pulling out of Senior Bowl practice due to health concerns, while his status for the game itself is unknown.
Why Denver Could be Intrigued: Jones’ stock is scorching hot right now, so it’s hard to say whether he’ll be within striking distance for the Broncos to nab him in the draft. However, Denver has a multitude of veteran personnel decisions to make that might include trading current players for draft capital or even draft-day trades.
I’m not suggesting the Broncos should do this, but could Paton opt to tag and trade free-agent defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones or ship away one of their many receivers. If such a trade were to happen, it could be for the missing link at right tackle that has plagued the Broncos since Orlando Franklin played the position a handful of years ago.
Roschon Johnson | RB | Texas
Anytime an offensive player has previous QB experience, it piques my curiosity, as is the case with the 6-foot-2, 223-pound Longhorn running back. The Texas native finished his prep career as the all-time passing leader of his high school with 7,710 yards through the air, 4,900 yards on the ground, and 85 total touchdowns. Johnson also maintained a 4.0 GPA in addition to competing in track and field.
Johnson was recruited to Texas as a QB and was asked to convert to running back just a week prior to the season during his freshman year, where he played in all 13 games rushing for 649 yards and seven scores. Last season (2022), the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll designee played in 12 games rushing for 554 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Johnson also caught 14 receptions for 128 yards and one score in the Longhorns' passing game.
In addition to being a bruiser on the ground and a viable receiver, Johnson impressed the Mobile masses with his pass protection skills in position drills, specifically against larger linebackers. He consistently proved that his willingness to be physical without the football makes him an ideal three-down back in any NFL offense.
Johnson is a patient runner that allows his offensive linemen time to complete their blocks without hesitating or taking false side steps that could result in negative plays. Long story short, this young prospect reminds me of the backs of old, full of power, moxy, and dependability. But Day 2 of practice resulted in a major blow to Johnson’s momentum, as he suffered a broken hand, forcing him out of Senior Bowl activities on the field for the rest of the week.
Why Denver Could be Intrigued: Johnson’s teammate Bijan Robinson will, in all likelihood, be one of the first running backs off the board, meaning that a gem like Johnson could slip into the Broncos' hands in the mid to later rounds of the draft. While I want to be optimistic about Javonte Williams' return from injury, the worst-case scenario is that he’ll never be the same player, while best-case, it could be a two-year window before getting him back to form, just like Saquon Barkley’s recovery.
Byron Young | DL/EDGE | Alabama
It wouldn’t be a Senior Bowl without a Crimson Tide player raising hell on the practice field. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 292 pounds, Young has put together two consecutive practices of consistency and production in the trenches. The Mississippi native was heavily recruited out of high school with offers from Clemson, Florida, Ole Miss, and Miss. State, among others, before choosing to play for Alabama.
Young played in 13 games for Alabama last season, recording 48 tackles (20 solo), 5.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. Rushing the passer, he logged 25 total pressures, including 14 QB hurries and seven QB hits, in addition to being a stout run defender. He enters the NFL draft having played in 45 total games for Alabama, amassing a vast level of SEC experience.
The last two days of practice completely verified the fact that Young is prepared for NFL action, specifically the physicality that the D-line position demands. Usually, it’s a steep learning curve for rookies, but watching him utilize both power and finesse moves in one-on-one drills furthers the notion that Young is as close to a ca n’t-miss prospect as you can find.
In team period, Young showed versatility playing both inside and on the EDGE blowing O-linemen off the line of scrimmage, ruining practice for opposing QBs and ball-carriers. Young was hardly ever beaten at the point of attack and is a no-nonsense type of D-lineman with intelligence and attitude whenever he straps on his helmet.
Why Denver Could be Intrigued: Just like the OL room needs renovation, the Broncos' defensive line needs reinforcements as well. Specifically, players that are ready to immediately step in and compete at training camp and in the preseason — not the developmental prospects that need two or three seasons in the incubation chamber.
Expect Young to be a viable option to fortify Denver’s defensive trenches in the mid-rounds of the draft, although his services will be heavily sought after.
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