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5 IDL to Provide Developmental Depth
The Broncos need additional depth on the defensive line, and there are options throughout the draft.
The Denver Broncos’s interior defensive line in 2023 was an abject disaster. It lacked depth and talent, couldn’t stop the run or get after the quarterback regularly, and was one of the worst overall units in the league. Aside from Zach Allen, nobody on the unit contributed consistently, and reinforcements are desperately needed.
DJ Jones could be let go as a salary cap casualty, and although the team did add a run-stuffing defensive tackle in Malcolm Roach, they need as much help as they can get. Whether it comes in the form of a high draft pick, a developmental player, another free agent addition, or any combination of those options, the Broncos must address the position.
Northern Iowa defensive lineman Khristian Boyd (99) poses for a photo during the Panthers football
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via
Khristian Boyd | Northern Iowa
Pros:
An explosive nose tackle with a productive pass-rush profile, Boyd has a thick frame and a powerful lower half. His first step quickness places blockers in conflict quickly, and he shoots gaps frequently to blow up the pocket from the inside. He is strong enough to play as a two-gap run-stopper but is at his best in attack mode. There are a good amount of counter moves to detach from blockers and disrupt plays in the backfield, and he has nice lateral agility to be deployed on stunts.
Cons:
The most significant issues with Boyd arise from a need for more length. He can sometimes get caught playing chest-to-chest, and blockers with longer arms can cause him problems if they can latch on. That lack of length also hinders his ability as a tackler if he doesn’t detach quickly enough. His motor runs hot, but there are some instances where it appears his conditioning is lacking, and he will take some plays off to recover.
My Grade: 4th Round
Erick Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 180
Oct 8, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Tyler Davis (13)
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Davis | Clemson
Pros:
The best way to describe Tyler Davis’s game is electric. He has lightning-fast hands that pack a ton of power, and they shock blockers to knock them back to their heels with ease. There is a quick first step that sees him work best playing in the B-gaps from a 3-tech alignment, though he can be used as a versatile piece along the entire defensive line. His pass-rush profile carries a great swim move with good lateral agility to penetrate the pocket and get after the quarterback quickly. Davis has power in his lower half that helps him fight through double teams very well, and he uses a lower pad level to generate a lot of leverage.
Cons:
Due to a lack of overall size, there could be struggles using Davis as a proper nose tackle outside of specific pass-rushing situations. His quickness and hand striking could help him, but teams should avoid deploying him in a 0/1-tech as a run defender. He lacks the length and hand technique needed to disengage from blockers and can get swallowed up when moving laterally against the run.
My Grade: 4th Round
Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 167
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Kendrick Law (19) is
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Maason Smith | LSU
Pros:
Possessing every tool most NFL teams desire, Smith is a moldable ball of clay with incredible upside. He has great size, length, speed, natural athleticism, and power to become a force along the interior should he hit his ceiling. His hands strike with power, he can move laterally well enough to work in stunts, and he provides pass-rush upside around the arc from the 5-technique. Smith shows a club-and-rip move that can be devastating at the point of attack, and he slips into gaps relatively well.
Cons:
Due to a lack of technical refinement, Smith will need a lot of coaching to hit his potential. Injuries hampered his development early in his collegiate career, and he relied on his tools too often. His feet can get too narrow at his base, and his pad level can get too high, causing leverage issues against the run. Consistency with leverage against the run forces him to get washed away quickly, and he will need to play with a lower pad level to be trusted on early downs.
My Grade: 5th Round
Trickel's Big Board Position: No. 127
Iowa State Cyclones' quarterback Rocco Becht (3) throws the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes' defensive line
Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA
Logan Lee | Iowa
Pros:
Blessed with a white-hot motor and a 10,000-gallon gas tank, Lee is a highly effective run-stopper when aligned anywhere from the 4i-7-technique. The effort to slip through double teams flashes constantly, and he doesn’t allow blockers to gain ground on him when engaged. His hands are always active and working to create separation, which helps him to finish plays when they come his way. He is a good tackler in short areas and is always around the football.
Cons:
Lee is a tweener with a lack of size and power to play along the interior and a lack of natural athleticism to provide a spark off the edge as a pass rusher. His hands are active but lack the technical refinement to create separation if he can’t win with his length. Lateral agility doesn’t exist on his tape, and he needs short areas to stay in the play consistently. Being a run-first player with size and position limitations and a lack of pass-rushing prowess could push him down the draft board.
My Grade: 6th Round
Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 185
Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Justin Rogers (52) gets
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Rogers | Auburn:
Pros:
If you’re looking for a run-stopping plug at the nose tackle position, Justin Rogers is the guy for you. Girthy, powerful, and incredibly hard to move, Rogers shows a jarring punch that stalls blockers off the line of scrimmage. He anchors well against double teams and shows enough hand-fighting to slip blockers and close gaps. When he comes through cleanly, Rogers shows good tackling ability to wrap up runners and end plays at the point of attack. If he can win off the snap with power and leverage, Rogers shows a nice bull rush that can collapse the pocket.
Cons:
With his massive size, Rogers shows a lack of burst and an inability to change directions laterally. There needs to be more length to wall-and-stall as a two-gap run defender against single blocks, and his hands come to a halt if blockers get inside his chest plate. He doesn’t offer upside as a pass rusher, and his lack of position versatility will likely force him to be a two-down run-stuffer at the next level, further damaging his value to teams that run even-front defensive schemes.
My Grade: Undrafted Free Agent
Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 206
Given the need to add starting potential all along their defensive line, the Broncos could have their eyes on any of these players. Boyd makes sense as a versatile player with immense pass-rush potential. Davis and Smith have great tools to work with at the next level, although Smith’s rawness could deter a team looking for impact starters as soon as possible. With the long term in mind, Smith could be a great option later in the draft if he hits his potential.
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