10 Non-QB Options for Broncos at Pick 12 to Upgrade Offense

If the Denver Broncos don't draft a quarterback at pick No. 12, these offensive prospects would fit.

The Denver Broncos are picking at No. 12 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. With the playoffs going, the Broncos are shifting focus to improving the roster, which includes the draft. 

The draft process games are soon upon us, but before that, let's look at ten prospects who can potentially help the Broncos offense who don't play the quarterback position.

While the Broncos pick 12, they do have the option of trading up or down. That means not all of these players are expected to be there at 12 at this time, and for others, picking them at 12 will be higher than they do. These are prospects that can be looked at throughout the first round.

Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia

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There is one thing that the Sean Payton offense needs: a dynamic tight end. The hope was Greg Dulcich could be that player, but he was unable to see the field. No other tight end stepped up, creating a significant need for a solution.

Enter Bowers, the top tight end in the class and one of the best offensive weapon prospects. He has the traits to impact as a receiver immediately and offers enough as a blocker to be effective.

There are concerns about how consistent he can be as a blocker in the NFL, and his technique will need to be developed there. As a receiver, his fluidity with his routes is fine but doesn't match your expectations.

Bowers is currently projected as a top-10 pick, so the Broncos may have to trade up if they want to land him. 

Malik Nabers | WR | LSU

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The Broncos need to completely re-work their wide receiver room. Denver's best option was Courtland Sutton, and there is a chance he won't be with the team much longer. Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick are likely on the way out, and Marvin Mims Jr. had a rough rookie year as a receiver, though he was an All-Pro as a returner.

Nabers is a coveted receiver option and is viewed as the class's second or third-best receiver. He has the skill set to attack every level of the field, and he is a big play waiting to happen.

However, Nabers needs to refine his nuances as a route runner and better stack defenders through his routes. Also, if you want blocking from the receiver position, look elsewhere.

Like Bowers, Nabers is viewed as a top-10 pick, so the Broncos may have to trade up to get him. 

Rome Odunze | WR | Washington

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No receiver has risen more over the past couple of months than Odunze. He was highly thought of entering the season, but he has not cemented himself in that first-round talk. There is a lot to love when watching hhim.

Odunze is tough and willing as a blocker on the outside and shows good body control to adjust in the air to make difficult catches. There were multiple concerns about his route running and the nuances of it entering the season, but he showed significant development there.

The concerns are about consistency and getting off the line. Odunze's footwork with his release is inconsistent at best, and if the corner is jamming him, it sets his timing way behind. There is good speed with Odunze, but not elite, which can create some recovery issues from those inconsistent releases in the NFL.

Odunze is viewed as a first-round pick and is currently projected in the 10-20 range, which puts him right there for the Broncos.

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JC Latham | OT | Alabama

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No matter what the Broncos do with Garett Bolles, offensive tackle is needed. If the team moves on from Bolles, then the need grows in importance. 

However, the Broncos need someone to grow and develop to move on from Bolles or Mike McGlinchey after the 2024 season. They also can't be afraid to bench McGlinchey if a rookie outplays him.

Latham is a big, powerful tackle that consistently appears in the run game. His play in pass protection was tested, and the results were varied. His power is exceptional, and he is still young and developing his technique.

As a result of developing his technique, pass rushers can break Latham's blocks down. He also has a bad habit of leaning and lunging into contact, which his power can help cover in college but will be more of a problem in the NFL. There's also a concern about his movement skills and ability to be an impactful blocker on the second level.

Latham is viewed as a 10-20 pick, which puts him in range for the Broncos. He could use a year of development, which makes him more intriguing. 

Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia

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Mims is a massive offensive tackle who doesn't have significant experience and must put all the tools and traits together. When you see tackles weighing around 340 pounds, you typically have concerns about bad weight and weight management, but neither is a concern.

Even as Mims' technique needs to develop, he has a great foundation working under a well-renowned college offensive line coach. He moves well, especially for his size, and has excellent length.

The issue with Mims' size is his height and getting him to play with a consistent base and bend to where defenders can play with leverage. He has only started eight games in college and missed time with an ankle injury. Another concern with his height is how it can create balance issues. 

Taliese Fuaga | OL | Oregon State

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Fuaga was a riser throughout the season and has cemented himself in the first-round conversation. His football IQ, play strength, size, and flexibility all stand out when watching him. He has everything you want in an offensive tackle except for ideal length.

There are issues with Fuaga's transition timing when changing blocks or pulling. He also can be over-aggressive and miss blocks. 

However, the biggest question is if he can develop the techniques that help tackles without the ideal length or if he needs to move inside, and he would make a fine interior offensive lineman.

Picking Fuaga at No. 12 overall might be a slight reach, but it could be the right pick, depending on how the board falls. He can play four of the five spots, though he may not be a long-term solution at left tackle. 

Ladd McConkey | WR | Georgia

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McConkey is an interesting receiver to study. He's a willing blocker and shows toughness over the middle of the field with soft, consistent hands, and he consistently attacks the ball. There's a good feel for zone coverage to find the weak spot, and he tracks the ball exceptionally well.

The biggest concern is what kind of athlete McConkey is. He has issues with separation quickness and doesn't have the speed to consistently attack the deep part of the field. His angles are rough, and he will often play himself into coverage.

McConkey is currently viewed as a second-round prospect. However, if he can show more athleticism and test well at the NFL Combine, he could find himself later in the first round. 

Adonai Mitchell | WR | Texas

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Mitchell is long and explosive and is of good size. He shows some good nuance with his route running and does well to sink into his breaks with his 6-foot-4 frame. 

There is a good catch radius with soft hands. Mitchell makes a lot of sense if you want a physical receiver who isn't afraid of contact and is a willing blocker.

Sometimes, Mitchell wastes movement as a route runner, which gives defenders time to close in on him. He also has good speed and quickness for college football and might be closer to average for the NFL. His effort will also need to be a lot more consistent.

Picking Mitchell at No. 12 would be rich, but he's another one who is right on the border of being a first-round pick. His testing could cement him there, but there's also a chance he can fall to the early second round. 

Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina

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If the Broncos want to replace Sutton, the Legette makes a lot of sense. The often-made comparison for Legette has been Sutton, especially before his injury. 

Legette has good size, weight, and speed with a huge catch radius. He has the physicality of a receiver, and it also shows as a blocker.

The physicality isn't always there, and Legette is a bit of a one-year wonder with his production. While he has good explosion as a receiver, the consistency isn't there. You also wish the traits and physicality showed up consistently when working after the catch.

Legette is another borderline first-round receiver in an exceptional class. He could cement himself as a first-round if he can test well enough. 

Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | Texas

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While Bowers is the top tight end, Ja'Tavion Sanders is viewed as the second-best. For the Broncos, Sanders would bring that dynamic receiving ability that can create mismatches in the passing game. However, he doesn't offer anything as a blocker unless he takes huge strides with his development. 

When watching Sanders, the lack of blocking ability popped with consistency. He should be viewed as a big receiver more than a tight end, and he can line up in the slot or even on the boundary. Sanders can quickly become the weapon that Payton needs for his offense. 

Now, taking Sanders at No. 12 overall would be rich, so a trade-down would be the path to get him. He is currently viewed as a borderline first-round pick and should test out well enough at the combine to cement himself as a first-round pick. 

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