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Denver Broncos first round options in the 2017 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos will have plenty of options when it comes to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. We examine some of the best ones…

What are the Denver Broncos going to do in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft? The Predominantly Orange staff wanted to take a look at some of the top (and our favorite!) options.

Of course, this isn’t a mock draft nor are we predicting the Broncos will definitely select one of these guys. This is simply a way for us to look at some players that would significantly improve the offense. We’re not trying to list literally every option in the first round, just some of the most attractive options to us as followers of the team.

The following players were picked by the staff, and no names could be repeated…

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs the ball while guarded by Clemson Tigers safety Jadar Johnson (18) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs the ball while guarded by Clemson Tigers safety Jadar Johnson (18) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Via staff writer Steven Kriz:

The past two years, the Broncos have struggled mightily to find consistent play makers outside of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The running game has been wildly inconsistent, and the red zone has been atrocious. Enter OJ Howard.

The Broncos choice in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft should be an easy one. OJ Howard is the ultimate fix for this offense. Not only is he an elite athlete that would be a huge threat in the passing game, but he is an elite blocking tight end. One NFL Draft expert described him to me as “The closest thing we have seen to Gronk.” With all due respect to David Njoku, Evan Engram, Bucky Hodges, and all the other remarkable Tight End’s this class has to offer, OJ Howard is in a class all of his own. This is the exact type of weapon the Broncos need.

At 6’6, 251 pounds, this guy runs a 4.51 40-yard dash. His arms are nearly 34″ long and his hands, at 10″ are as strong as they come. He can line up on the line, in the slot, or out wide. There isn’t a safety or linebacker in the league that can match up with this guy. There is really nothing that Howard cannot do.

The Broncos offensive line has been a disaster for 2 seasons straight. Howard actually checks that box off as well. He blocks about as well as any tight end I’ve ever scouted, so in essence, he’s almost a 6th offensive lineman. In the running game he would do wonders as he can seal the edge for whoever is running the ball and finishes blocks with authority. Unlike Julius Thomas of years past, there is really no reason Howard would ever have to come off the field in any down and distance.

Howard is as elite as they come when it comes to the Tight End position. He would be an absolute steal for the Broncos, and would immediately change the entire dynamic of their offense. The only downside with Howard is he likely won’t be there at 20. A trade up for Howard would be completely worth it. Don’t believe me? Watch the tape.

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