Finding Broncos: Top NFL Draft Prospects at each Position | Defense

Can the Broncos land a top 5 player at one of these defensive positions?

As the Denver Broncos work to improve their roster, they must overcome multiple logistical issues. They are projected to be over the salary cap, have to deal with the impending move of losing on from Russell Wilson, and only have six selections in the draft to bring in cost-controlled youth.

With their few picks, they have to work to maximize their effectiveness. Obviously, there is still a long way to go in the draft process with the scouting combine and pro days, as well as free agency always having a significant impact. However, regardless of position, the Broncos need to maximize their six picks by landing the best talent on their board. This roster isn't in good shape and will only worsen as they deal with their salary cap issues.

So, who are the best players on the board? Well, for now, we can look at the top five players at each position on defense. As mentioned, there are a lot of process left to go, and things can change. Additionally, the Bronco's board will likely look quite different from mine as NFL teams typically only have 75-150 players on their boards, with many eliminated for not being scheme fits or off-field red flags like medicals or character. So, let's get into my top five at each position.  

Interior Defensive Line

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1)Byron Murphy II | Texas

Murphy is an explosive interior pass rusher who is solid against the run. While he may be a bit undersized, his explosiveness is top-notch. 

2) Jer'Zhan Newton | Illinois

Newton is similar to Murphy in their style. They are interior pass rushers who are solid against the run. Newton isn't far behind Muphy, but the technical difference is why he is behind. 

3) T'Vondre Sweat | Texas

Sweat is a big-nose tackle who might drop in the class because he plays a lesser-utilized position. However, his mass and power are super intriguing for NFL teams needing a boost in the middle of their defense.  

4) Ruke Orhorhoro

All the tools and traits are there to work with, but Orhorhoro is still learning to play the game. The technique will need to be built up, but he has everything you can't teach. 

5) Kris Jenkins | Michigan

While Jenkins may not be an outstanding athlete, he is a reliable defensive lineman who can move around some on the defensive front. The technique has a solid foundation, but he may not have the ceiling as the guys ahead of him. 

Edge Defenders

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1) Dallas Turner | Alabama

All eyes were on Turner to see what he would do without Will Anderson Jr, and he had a better year in 2023 than in 2022. He improved in vital areas and managed to sit at the top edge, for now, with two guys close behind him.  

2) Laiatu Latu | UCLA

There isn't a pass rusher in this class with better hands or hand technique than Latu. The NFL has few pass rushers with better hands than Latu has. His medical history and athletic testing must be checked out, but he can easily be my top edge. 

3) Jared Verse | Florida State

Verse is explosive and violent with his pass rush, and his pass rush technique has an excellent foundation on which to build. He is a strong run defender and can attack multiple games. These top three edges are close in their grades and could be shaken up after the combine. 

4) Darius Robinson | Missouri

While many will look at the size of Robinson and say he is a defensive lineman, which he can do, he is significantly better on tape when working on the edge. He also has a chance to rise with the athletic testing and drill work at the combine. 

5) Chop Robinson | Penn State

Chop Robinson is a great athlete who is expected to test out exceptionally well at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, there are concerns about his technique and consistency as a football player and his reliance on athleticism at the collegiate level being able to translate to the NFL. 

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Inside Linebackers

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1) Junior Colson | Michigan

When you look at modern linebackers, you want height, length, instincts, football IQ, and athleticism. Colson checks all those boxes, though this is viewed as a weak linebacker class. 

2) Edgerrin Cooper | Texas A&M

Cooper has many traits you want in a modern NFL linebacker, and he sees things so well in college. Sometimes, he seems to lose sight of the ball, and his feel in coverage isn't ideal. 

3) Payton Wilson | North Carolina State

Wilson could move up depending on the medical checks at the combine, but he is the mold of a modern NFL linebacker and is quite effective in all phases. 

4) Jeremiah Trotter Jr | Clemson

Trotter doesn't have an ideal size for the NFL, with the lack of length and height being an issue with closing passing windows. However, his high football IQ and instincts consistently put him in the right position. 

5) Tommy Eichenberg | Ohio State

Eichenberg has a high football IQ and can thrive working between the tackles. The issue is that he may not have the athletic profile that NFL teams look for to have a significant role in coverage or outside the tackles. 

Cornerbacks

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1) Quinyon Mitchell | Toledo

Mitchell is one of the most versatile corners in the class, as he can play in any scheme and position you can ask your corner to play. He has good ball skills and can step up against tougher competition. 

2) Terrion Arnold | Alabama

Arnold is another versatile defender who can play any role in the secondary, but he may not have Mitchell's scheme versatility. Also, Arnold is still growing as a corner after being a safety at Alabama.

3) Cooper DeJean | Iowa

There is no doubt that DeJean is an athletic freak who can play corner or safety. He also can contribute on special teams, though if he ends up a great starter on defense, he likely won't be used on special teams as much. His best position in the NFL may be at safety, but he has enough to be given a shot at corner first. 

4) Nate Wiggins | Clemson

Nate Wiggens is a sound corner with good technique that he needs to use consistently. The issue with Wiggins, and what can still drop him through the process, is he isn't versatile and doesn't play with the desired physicality, especially against the run. 

5) Kamari Lassiter | Georgia

There is decent versatility with Lassiter, and he has good instincts and agility. He will need to be slightly more cautious with his hands at the NFL level, as he tends to get grabby as the route goes on. 

Safeties

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1) Jaden Hicks | Washington State

Hicks has excellent instincts and great range and can make an impact at every level of the field. While he may not fit every scheme, he offers coverage ability and reliable run defense.

2) Kamren Kinchens | Miami

Kinchens has a chance to become the top safety in the class. His range, range and ball skills are excellent, and he reads quarterbacks well. There are consistency issues when working downhill against the run.

3) Tyler Nubin | Minnesota

Nubin has good experience, versatility, and the ideal size you want for the NFL. He is a reliable tackler and reliable in coverage. However, there are limitations to his usage in coverage, scheme, and role.

4) Javon Bullard | Georgia

There may not be a tougher or more physical safety in this class than Bullard, and he has great instincts in coverage. However, his frame isn't ideal, and it gets highlighted a little too frequently when making tackles.

5) Calen Bullock | USC

There is an elite range, ball skills, and coverage ability from Bullock. However, what keeps him so low is the severe issues of physicality and run defense. 

This will be a tough offseason for the Broncos, and they need to improve the roster significantly. It may be in their best interest to take a step back or two and start fresh as they deal with the salary cap issues they got themselves into. However, this fan base may not tolerate another few years of losing. 

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