Denver Broncos to host Dane Cruikshank for draft visit
The Denver Broncos are reportedly set to host Arizona Wildcats defensive back Dane Cruikshank for an official pre-draft visit this week…
The Denver Broncos have had official pre-draft visits, or will have official pre-draft visits with at least six defensive backs, including Arizona Wildcats safety Dane Cruikshank.
Cruikshank has been in high demand after a stellar Scouting Combine, where he checked in at 6-foot-1, 206 pounds, and posted a 4.41 second 40-yard dash, 25 bench press reps, a 38.5-inch vertical jump, a 121-inch broad jump, and a 6.89 second three-cone drill.
Collectively, all of those numbers make Cruikshank a rare athlete, even for NFL standards, and his pre-draft visit list has been extensive.
That list will include the Broncos, officially, as of this week.
Visits: #UVA pass-rusher Micah Kiser, who had 22 career sacks, is on a Top 30 visit to the #Rams today. … #Arizona DB Dane Cruikshank visited #Chargers over weekend, then has the #Saints today, #Titans then #Broncos. … #TCU OL Patrick Morris is flying to KC for a #Chiefs visit.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2018
In addition to the names on that list, Cruikshank has met privately with the Lions, Packers, Rams, and Raiders, and had an official workout with the Houston Texans.
The Broncos seem very serious about upgrading what many teams are utilizing now, the ‘spur’ safety position, which Cruikshank played at Arizona this past year.
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He was named a captain by his teammates, and it doesn’t take long in that highlight reel to see a couple of the big name passers he has picked off in his collegiate career. Notably are Broncos first round targets Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen.
The Broncos have a pretty deep group of safeties right now, but they might be interested in being at least two deep at this ‘spur’ position.
They made a substantial investment in Su’a Cravens this offseason, so he’s likely to be the top guy at that spot, but in addition to needing depth there with Cravens’ injury history, the Broncos also need guys who can be special teams weapons.
Cruikshank’s athleticism and fearless mentality on the field seem to indicate he would be a star in the game’s third phase.
This would be a great player for the Broncos to target with one of their four day three selections.
In addition to Cruikshank, the Broncos have hosted defensive backs Isaiah Oliver, Anthony Averett, Donte Jackson, Devron Davis, and Davontae Harris for official pre-draft visits.
The defensive backfield is one area where the Broncos have excelled more than any other team at finding, evaluating, and developing talent.