Finding Broncos: Five Prospects for Added Depth on Offense

With Sean Payton in town, the Denver Broncos hope to get things going on offense finally. They have made multiple signings in free agency to improve their starting lineup, but they still need to improve their depth at various spots.

SaRodorick Thompson | RB | Texas Tech

Pros

Has solid size with a good frame.
Saw plenty of opportunities as a receiver posting 89 catches on 107 targets.
He has good power in his game, and his overall speed isn't bad.
More than willing in pass protection and comes up to meet blitzers.
Quick eyes with solid vision to find the lane, especially in short yard of goal-line situations.
Excellent instincts as a runner and can set up defenders to miss.
He runs with good balance and does well to sustain balance through contact.

Cons

His athleticism isn't great, and he lacks explosion, burst, and long speed without that extra gear.
The fumble rate is less than ideal, averaging a fumble every 78.4 touches on offense.
His hands aren't reliable, and he posted nine drops during his college career.
Straight-line runner who doesn't do well making cuts or changing direction.
He is a willing blocker, but his technique and overall strength are lacking.
He is a hectic runner that can use more patience and better timing with his rushes.

Fit with Broncos

Thompson has solid versatility on third down, but he isn't a home-run threat. He runs with more power than explosive ability, and the Broncos need that explosive running style from someone in their position group. So while he is a solid prospect, the fit isn't great with the Broncos.

Jalen Moreno-Cropper | WR | Fresno State

Pros

He ran well at the Combine, showing good speed and acceleration.
He had good two-year production with nearly 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He has great instincts and does well in finding the soft spot in zone coverage.
A smooth and fluid mover that can change direction quickly.
Has a quick acceleration, with good footwork to side step press and get upfield.
He can make defenders miss in space and pick up extra yards.
He can set up defenders in coverage and use his tempo to create openings.

Cons

He is a small slot-only receiver that needs to add mass to his frame.
His hands are fine, but he isn't immune to drops.
Put the ball on the ground too often with seven fumbles, six in 2021.
His size may not handle the punishment of the NFL without more mass.
He struggles with contact through routes and can easily force adjustments.
He doesn't always work back to the ball to help protect the catch point.
His smaller frame doesn't provide natural protection against defensive backs attempting to challenge the catch point.

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos have plenty of options to work in the slot, so a slot-restricted receiver isn't the best fit. Instead, he needs a scheme that will spread things out in the passing game and get him the ball in space consistently and in a timely matter.

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Elijah Higgins | WE/TE | Stanford

Pros

A solid athlete that can work as a receiver or at tight end.
There are some good traits, like athleticism, to work on developing.
Has the makings of a height, weight, and speed prospect.
A role can be made for him on offense to create mismatches consistently.
There is some solid wiggle to make defenders miss after the catch.
There is a solid foundation as a blocker, which could be his best usage early in his career.

Cons

Tweener may need to add more mass and switch to tight end.
Not a threat to challenge vertically.
Despite his size, he was bullied with physical coverage far too often.
He doesn't offer much on the boundary and might be a big slot receiver.
He struggles to get separation and doesn't do well enough in contested catch situations to make up for it.
Limited production with only 118 career catches over three seasons, with 10 drops on 174 targets.
While he has the size to be a red-zone weapon, the production isn't there.
Has a minimal catch radius.

Fit with Broncos

Elijah Higgins will likely be asked to transition to a slot-tight end. While there is a solid foundation as a blocker, there isn't enough to work as an inline option. In the end, he is more of what the Broncos have plenty of from the tight end position.

Travis Vokolek | TE | Nebraska

Pros

Has great size with a well-built frame.
Has a great build and frame to add more mass.
There is a sound technique as a blocker, from his base to his hands.
He knows how to make himself an open and find space for the quarterback when plays break down.
Has good agility as a blocker.

Cons

The athleticism is questionable, and what testing he did doesn't answer any questions.
Five years in college with less than 100 targets as a receiver while suffering eight drops.
Production is minimal as a receiver.
Severe injury history leading to multiple games missed.
Tall with a high pad level and heavy-footed.

Fit with Broncos

There are traits to develop as a blocker, which could be worth a shot for the Broncos. The question is when the value meets the fit, and if Vokolek is there as an undrafted free agent, that is when he makes the most sense for Denver.

Jaren Hall | QB | BYU

Pros

Put up some good numbers with the athletic testing at the BYU Pro Day.
There is no doubting his confidence, and it is reflected in his play.
He had good passing production, primarily due to the scheme, but he protected the ball well with only 11 interceptions over the last two years.
He is praised for his football IQ and character.
There is good touch on his throws, and he doesn't try to force throws when they aren't there.

Cons

More of an athlete playing quarterback than an actual quarterback.
He will likely find himself in a gadget quarterback role.
He will be a 25-year-old rookie.
He suffered some severe injuries in his collegiate career.
He doesn't have a great arm to challenge all levels of the field consistently.
His placement is all over the place, and he sails his passes far too often.
Footwork and mechanics are a mess.

Fit with Broncos

Sean Payton took to Taysom Hill as a gadget quarterback in New Orleans, and Jaren Hall could be used similarly. He is a great athlete, but his placement and overall quarterbacking ability are all over the place. If Sean Payton wants another project/gadget like Hill, then Hall would make sense.

While the Broncos can look in many directions to improve their depth in the draft beyond these five prospects. Whatever directions they go, adding depth on offense is a must after getting exposed last season with the injuries they sustained.

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