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Denver Broncos: Top 5 options in the NFL Draft after Joe Flacco trade

By Sayre Bedinger

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Linebacker Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field before the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the UCF Knights at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Knights 40-32. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Linebacker Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field before the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the UCF Knights at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Knights 40-32. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 22: Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers returns a fumble as Teddy Veal #9 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defends during the first half at Tiger Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 22: Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers returns a fumble as Teddy Veal #9 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defends during the first half at Tiger Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

1. Devin White, LB, LSU

No, Devin White is perhaps not the top non-quarterback available in this year’s draft, but he might be the most instantly impactful defensive player from the 2019 class.

White fits the profile of what the Broncos targeted in the 2018 NFL Draft as a playmaker over multiple years in college with captainship at LSU as a part of his résumé.

White racked up 286 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and nine pass breakups over the last three years at LSU. He is expected to be the fastest linebacker in this year’s draft at 6-foot-1, 240 pounds.

Why White?

Vic Fangio has always been a linebacker guy in the NFL, and it stands to reason that the first selection his team makes when he’s the head coach of the team would be the best off-ball linebacker in the draft.

The Broncos seem unlikely to pick up the option on Brandon Marshall’s contract, and would likely be interested in adding a playmaker like White to be a starter for their defense in the mold of a Patrick Willis when Fangio was with the 49ers or Roquan Smith when he was with the Bears.

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