Brendan Langley
By: Andy Tallon (Staff Writer)
The Denver Broncos have the best secondary in the league. With four pro-bowlers and counting on this unit, how does one stand out? I believe that Brendan Langley has the ability and talent to wow in his first training camp as an ascending rookie defensive back.
Taken 101st overall, Langley began his career at Georgia before transferring to Lamar College where he was outstanding. While his transition at cornerback to the NFL from a small conference school is daunting, he has multiple attributes to showcase his potential. Langley has length and size at 6 feet tall and 200lbs to play the Broncos’ physical schemes and sub-4.45 speed to contend with any receiver. He had six interceptions and a forced fumble his senior year, displaying he has the ball skills and toughness required to shine at the cornerback position.
When you catch the eye of John Elway, you know there are some impressive intangibles to your game. This is exactly what happened before the 2017 NFL Draft. The Broncos’ GM showed his approval for the third rounder by stating “Brendan’s really raw, but he’s got great speed and it takes some time, but he’ll learn from the best corners in the league that we have here.”
While some might think Langley was a bit of a stretch to be picked in the third, his upside is undeniable. It is also realistic to believe Langley’s learning curve will be less steep as he finds himself in an ideal squad in Denver. He can soak in the nuances of the position from all-pros Talib and Harris while being mentored by Bradley Roby, the youngest member of the No Fly Zone, who has exceled in his early career.
Training camp is also the place where players that are low on their respective totem poles can separate themselves on special teams. Langley surpassed expectations on special teams at Lamar and hopes to carry that skill into the NFL. Elway is certainly enamored with multi-faceted players, and Langley has the opportunity to prove adept not only at cornerback, but returning punts or kickoffs as well.
All signs point upward for Langley, and I believe he will be a surprise stand-out in Englewood during his first NFL training camp.