The Denver Broncos decided to skip round one in favor of stockpiling picks in rounds 2-4. It’s a move that says the early picks on the Broncos draft board were taken well before their original No. 25 spot, and plenty of the next guys in line are still on the board.
While many are up in arms that the Broncos didn’t select on day one, we have to remember that a lot of quality players are found beyond the first round of the draft.
The Broncos have six of the next 84 selections, and it all begins with the No. 36 pick.
I still like DT Devon Still from Penn State as the Broncos first pick. Still’s gas tank and medical history are red flags, but he dominates when he’s on his game. He had 55 tackles (17 for a loss) and 4.5 sacks his senior year. That’s an impact player on the defensive line and he would force opposing teams to prepare for a new wrinkle on the Broncos defense.
Still tore his ACL and MCL his freshman year of college and then he broke his ankle his sophomore year. He tires quickly and lets up off the gas, but it seems to me that both of these issues are manageable. That’s why the Broncos pay team strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson the big bucks.
The Broncos could also look at cornerback for their first pick. The controversial Janoris Jenkins from North Alabama is still available. His game isn’t the question mark here. It’s his character and reputation. Jenkins was booted from Florida for being arrested multiple times for fighting/resisting arrest and marijuana possession. Doing it once is one thing, but a repeat offender is a red flag. On the field, Jenkins is a playmaker that can cover in the slot or cover outside, and he’s a threat on special teams as a punt returner.
The Broncos also have Stanford tight end Coby Fleener available. The team signed Jacob Tamme (former Manning teammate) and Joel Dreessen, and they have Virgil Green and Julius Thomas to develop so this is a less likely pick up. Fleener would have the right cards dealt to him, however, first with Andrew Luck and then with Manning.
Georgia offensive lineman Cordy Glenn is still available, and he would have to make the transition to guard for the Broncos. This selection would add depth to the o-line. Glenn moves well for his size, and he’s a 50-game starter in his college career.
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