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Denver Broncos: Assessing top draft needs at first quarter

By Sayre Bedinger

Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers Nate Gerry (25) celebrates during the final moments of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers Nate Gerry (25) celebrates during the final moments of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) returns a punt against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) returns a punt against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Cornerback

This is an interesting position of ‘need’ because the Broncos have the best group of cornerbacks in the NFL.

Aqib Talib has been an incredibly valuable player to this team on the field, but there are still concerns with him off the field. He had an incident over the offseason getting shot and no one really knows what happened with that story. He has a history of trouble with the league, and will be 31 next season.

His cap hit increases from under $10 million to $12 million, and the Broncos have a tough decision to make with some other players coming up for new contracts whether they will keep Talib and take the cap hit, or release him and save $10 million against the cap.

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If the Broncos do opt to let Talib go, they are also dealing with the potential loss of Kayvon Webster, who stated prior to the start of the season that he feels like he has starting qualities as a cornerback.

That’s something you really can’t argue with a player about, and whether or not he sees that opportunity in Denver could determine what this team does going forward. At times in training camp, fellow backup Lorenzo Doss was a player you didn’t want to throw the ball at, and in the preseason finale, he was an atrocity on the field.

With Bradley Roby coming into his own and Chris Harris Jr. established as one of the best corners in the league, it’s not a desperate need for the Broncos but certainly something to monitor. This is a very good class of cornerbacks coming in, and a player like Desmond King out of Iowa would provide great value to this team both on defense and special teams.

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