Denver Broncos: Jaylon Johnson and other trade down targets

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes intercepts a Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies pass and returns it for a 39 yard for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Utah Utes top the Washington Huskies 33-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes intercepts a Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies pass and returns it for a 39 yard for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Utah Utes top the Washington Huskies 33-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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Kenneth Murray, Denver Broncos
DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 12: Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

3. The linebackers

The Broncos nearly pulled the trigger on Devin Bush with the 10th overall pick last year. Who knows if their stance on the linebacker position has changed much, if at all, with the emergence of Alexander Johnson and Todd Davis now in the final year of his contract?

Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

One of the most universally beloved players in the draft for his off-field work habits and high character, Kenneth Murray is arguably the cleanest player in this draft from a character perspective.

As a matter of fact, I think he’s a sleeper option if the Broncos stick at 15 overall.

Although he’s a bit of a projection in coverage, he has the speed and athleticism to do it at a high level.

Patrick Queen, LSU

For my money, Queen is the most polished three-down linebacker in this draft from a pass coverage perspective. He has a great feel for sticking with backs and tight ends, though no one is perfect.

With that said, he loses a lot of ground to Murray when it comes to blitzing and playing around the line of scrimmage.

Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech

Although they’re not exactly the same, if you like Kenneth Murray why not Jordyn Brooks, one of his fellow Big 12 mates?

Brooks was a four-year starter at Texas Tech, team captain, and wildly productive this past year as a senior with 20 tackles for loss.

He is always around the ball and ran a surprisingly great 4.54 in the 40-yard dash. In the lead up to the 2020 NFL Draft, he’s getting some late first-round buzz.

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