Denver Broncos 2018 NFL Draft watch: Loaded day of prospects

2018 NFL Draft: The Denver Broncos are busy preparing for their season opener, but scouts are also getting a look at top 2018 prospects…

The Denver Broncos haven’t even played a regular season game yet, but that doesn’t mean preparations for the class of 2018 haven’t already begun.

The 2018 NFL Draft is already shaping up to be a very talented group, especially at the quarterback position. Will the Broncos be looking at a quarterback in next year’s draft? At this point, that seems like a very real possibility.

At any rate, there are prospects at every position worth watching during Saturday’s slate of college football games, so let’s take a look at some of the best ones, starting with the early slate of games…

Iowa RB Akrum Wadley (vs. Iowa State, ESPN2 12 PM EST)

The Akrum Wadley show is always worth watching for the Iowa Hawkeyes. One of the most electrifying backs in college football, Wadley showed off some of his quickness in the Hawkeyes’ season opener against Wyoming, and will undoubtedly be amped up for the in-state matchup against the Cyclones of Iowa State.

Wadley is under 200 pounds, but one of the most well-rounded backs in college football. Part of that is thanks to the offense Iowa runs and what they require Wadley to do, but he’s a deceptively good inside runner as well as a guy who can break a game open on the perimeter or in the passing game.

Wadley is obviously worth watching in this game, but you’re going to find top prospects on Iowa’s offensive line as well as on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically, linebacker Josey Jewell looks like a future NFL stud.

Michigan DL Maurice Hurst, LB Mike McCray (vs. Cincinnati, ABC 12 PM EST)

The entire Michigan defense is worth watching in this game, specifically the defensive front which racked up a whopping 11 tackles for loss in the season opener against Florida.

However, two draft-eligible players on that defensive front that bear monitoring are defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and linebacker Mike McCray, guys who could be top 100 selections in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Hurst was a very good pass rusher last season, and is considered by some to be the top interior defensive lineman in the country right now. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares without Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley occupying blocks throughout the early portion of the season.

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson (vs. North Carolina, ESPN 12 PM EST)

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson takes on the Tar Heels after a very strong week one performance.

Jackson isn’t being unanimously talked about as a first round prospect, but are his doubters justified? He showed excellent pocket poise in Louisville’s first game this season, as well as last year. The only reason not to like him at the next level is if he gets hurt this season, and Louisville is certainly doing him no favors in that regard, calling so many designed quarterback run plays.

Jackson has one of the strongest arms in the country, and as a dual-threat quarterback, there’s not many — if anyone — who are better.

Every game of his is a must-watch.