Bradley Chubb a realistic option for the Denver Broncos?
How realistic are the chances that Bradley Chubb is drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft?
The Denver Broncos have been the subject of quarterback rumors all throughout the pre-draft period, and rightfully so.
After signing Case Keenum, however, the options at the top of the draft for the Broncos are no longer limited to strictly the quarterback position. Is it still likely the Broncos take a quarterback at that spot? Probably.
A player like North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb could change their minds, however.
Chubb looks like he was molded by the football gods, checking in at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds with a 34-inch arm length and just a hair under 10-inch hands. Chubb also ran a 4.65 second 40-yard dash at that height and weight, while throwing up 24 bench press reps and showing off with a 36-inch vertical jump.
All of those measurables mean absolutely nothing if Chubb doesn’t bring it on the field, which is no concern whatsoever. In fact, Chubb has been a model of consistency over the past two seasons, racking up 128 total tackles, 44 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Schematically, Chubb looks versatile. Players of his size are typically relegated to base defensive end roles in a four-man front, but Chubb is strong enough at the point of attack and the Broncos play in the nickel enough that having him play the five technique or the three technique won’t be an issue at all, and he could even stand up and relieve Von Miller at the weakside linebacker position occasionally.
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The Broncos picking Chubb would not be a bad idea in the least, as he is the best defensive player in this year’s draft and Denver’s pass rush took a significant dip in 2017 without DeMarcus Ware or Shane Ray (for half the season).
Adding Chubb would give the Broncos another option on their defensive front to terrorize opposing defenses with, and looking toward the future with guys like Derek Wolfe and even Adam Gotsis now, it’s not out of the question that defensive end could be considered a top three need for the Broncos going into this draft.
Couple that with this little bit of history/information.
Since John Elway took over the Broncos in 2011, the team has used at least one of its top two picks in the draft on a defensive front seven player in every draft class except the 2014 group.
2011: Von Miller (top pick)
2012: Derek Wolfe (top pick)
2013: Sylvester Williams (top pick)
2014: None
2015: Shane Ray (top pick)
2016: Adam Gotsis (second pick)
2017: DeMarcus Walker (second pick)
The odds are pretty strong that Elway will use one of the team’s top two picks (5th overall, 40th overall) on a defensive lineman or edge player.
Why not use it on Chubb at five overall?
If the Broncos feel like they have a good quarterback group for the next two-three years with Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch, and Chad Kelly, or feel like they could get a potential starter later on in the draft, picking Chubb makes all the sense in the world.
In fact, for the money, he’s probably the wisest investment the Broncos could make at this spot if the top three quarterbacks in the draft (Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen on my board) are all off the board when the fifth pick rolls around.