NFL Draft: Denver Broncos should look locally again

The Denver Broncos found success in their own backyard with Phillip Lindsay and Dalton Risner. Doing the same for the 2020 draft should be a no brainier.

Last year the Denver Broncos selected offensive lineman Dalton Risner, formerly of Kansas State, in the second round of the NFL Draft. Risner became a franchise cornerstone offensive lineman in his first season. He also is a local product from Wiggins, Colorado.

Denver signed Phillip Lindsay as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Lindsay has succeeded ever since stepping foot onto the field running for 1,000-plus yards in back to back seasons. The Broncos’ back is also from the Denver area, attending Denver South High School and the University of Colorado.

In 2020, there is another prospect from the University of Colorado worth taking a look at when considering upgrades for the offense. This player is Laviska Shenault. Shenault is a physical specimen with traits to be successful everywhere on the football field. Denver is in need of a true burner at wide receiver, but Shenault is a Swiss Army Knife wideout.

In my opinion, the only reservations are that Denver recently drafted that type of player in Carlos Henderson in 2017. Henderson is no longer a part of the Broncos or the NFL. Shenault has that type of versatility and skillset capable of running like a running back.

The only thing holding him back is the injuries. Shenault did sustain numerous injuries while with the University of Colorado but is considered a back end first-rounder or early second-rounder right now means things can quickly change.

Speaking of change, the Denver Broncos made a change at offensive coordinator. Rich Scangarello is out and Pat Shurmur is in. Shurmur’s offense is predicated on the yards after the catch and versatility in the passing game.

This alone opens a door for Shenault’s talents to be used in Denver’s offense. The Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver is a dynamic threat in both the passing game and run game. A large number of people feel he could be an effective running back if he committed to being one. Shenault also is an electric wide receiver when he touches the ball because he turns into a running back.

He might not have the speed of the electric Henry Ruggs out of Alabama, but if Shenault lights up the combine he will move up the boards of some teams into the middle part of the first round. This would place him right into the lap of the Broncos at 15.

Shenault’s impact in Denver gives them a second wide receiver option alongside Courtland Sutton who rose to stardom in year two. Shenault’s route running is a concern, but so was Sutton’s. We all know what happened next.

Shenault is exactly the type of player the Broncos wanted Henderson to be when Denver drafted Henderson out of Louisiana Tech. He provides a safety net for a quarterback and speed threat at the position that can take the top off a defense of defensive backs are not careful.

As we inch closer to the draft, it seems like wide receiver might be one of the positions Denver may not place atop their free-agent priority list. However, come draft night, it may come down to Henry Ruggs and Laviska Shenault at 15.