5 EDGE players the Denver Broncos should target in the 2022 NFL Draft

The 2021 NFL season saw the Denver Broncos move on from a franchise legend at the EDGE position as they sent Von Miller to the Rams via trade.

Going into the 2022 offseason, the Denver Broncos need a serious upgrade at the position to potentially pair with Bradley Chubb. In a stacked draft class, there are several potential EDGE defenders that the Broncos should target in the 2022 NFL Draft. We’ll take a look at five of them and why they would be an ideal selection for the team.

The 2022 NFL Draft class is absolutely loaded with quality talent at the EDGE position. The Denver Broncos are in serious need of an upgrade at the position. In the 2021 season, the Broncos were among the worst in the league at pass rush win rate and they struggled to get to the quarterback.

With a new defensive staff in place that is emphasizing attacking the quarterback, this is the time for Broncos general manager George Paton to be aggressive in his pursuit of an edge rusher. While he might be able to find an elite edge rusher in free agency, this draft class is too good to pass up an opportunity at adding a proficient pass rusher to the defense.

With that being said, let’s take a look at five potential EDGE players the Broncos should target in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Denver Broncos EDGE target no. 1: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

There have been recent rumblings of Kayvon Thibodeaux not being as loved by NFL GMs as we may have thought at the beginning of the draft process. While this may mean bad things for Thibodeaux’s draft stock, for now, his combine performance may change that.

Several recent mock drafts show the former top national recruit dropping down the board. If this trend continues all the way to draft day, the Broncos could very well be in play for the player many thought would go first overall in this class.

What does Thibodeaux bring to the Broncos in terms of a pass rusher? If you want a sneak peek, go look at his performance against USC in the PAC-12 Championship game from 2020 for reference.

With his larger frame and explosiveness off the ball, he brings plenty of speed and power off the edge, featuring a good variety of pass rush moves and counters. He has the versatility and strength to create havoc on the interior during stunts as well.

Additionally, he has graded very well as a run defender, something that also left with Von to Los Angeles.

Denver Broncos EDGE target no. 2: Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State

If Thibodeaux doesn’t fall to Denver in the first round (assuming the Broncos still have their first-round selection this year), a great consolation prize might be Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II.

Johnson has been one of the biggest risers in the draft process and many experts have pegged him to possibly be a Top 15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Georgia transfer is a solid run defender and offers plenty in the pass rush department.

His showing at the Senior Bowl offered a great glimpse into his tools and what he could bring to the Denver Broncos defense.

In 2021 with the Seminoles, Johnson put up some gaudy pass rush numbers. He tallied 46 pressures, 12 sacks, and seven tackles for loss. He’s got great size and a lot of length to go with his almost 6’5″ frame.

While he may not feature a ton of bend as a pass rusher, he has a great first step and good enough speed to get into the backfield and beat offensive tackles to their spots. Combine these traits with a motor that is constantly set to “go” and you’ve got the makings of a dangerous pass rusher in Ejiro Evero’s defensive scheme.

Denver Broncos EDGE target no. 3: Alex Wright, UAB

If the Broncos choose to double-dip in this draft class, it has been hinted that it may be at the EDGE position. If this is the case, this next draft target might be the guy they double-dip for. And he’s a BIG one. UAB’s Alex Wright comes in currently at 6’6″ and weighs 270 pounds. Don’t let the size fool you, though. This kid is an athlete. Not only does he carry the size well, but he’s very explosive off the edge, disrupting the backfield almost immediately. He plays the run extremely well and tallied 38 pressures during the 2021 season.

While the size has me a bit concerned for how he translates to being a true EDGE rusher in the NFL, I have no doubts that Wright would be an excellent addition to the Broncos and would be a versatile defender.

He would also be one of those guys who is widely respected in the locker room as well as on the field. He was a team captain for the Blazers in 2021 and has shown to be an outstanding person off the field.

Adding Wright to the mix could give the Denver Broncos a potential replacement for Bradley Chubb if the team does not choose to extend him after this season.

Denver Broncos EDGE target no. 4: Boye Mafe, Minnesota

Another draft target that most Denver Broncos fans have some sort of familiarity with is one of the more intriguing EDGE prospects of the class.

A freak athlete with a bunch of tools and a lot of length, Minnesota’s Boye Mafe could be a great pass rusher for the Broncos to draft and develop. He made some flashes in Mobile at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and showcased his interesting skill set.

Mafe showed improvement over his time with the Gophers and had a breakout year in 2021 as a pass rusher. In his final season with the Gophers, Mafe recorded 30 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and six sacks, all career highs.

If Mafe shows out well at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, there’s a chance he can definitively improve his draft stock. His athletic traits are rare, and he could showcase his 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.

One aspect of his game to watch for already is his understanding of how to properly set up tackles with different pass rush moves, as well as utilizing his speed to turn the corner. If the Denver Broncos aim to add athletic and explosive pass rushers in this draft class, Mafe should be one of the top targets on their draft board of EDGE players.

Denver Broncos EDGE target no. 5: Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

The final EDGE player that the Denver Broncos should target in the 2022 NFL Draft is one that might end up making his way into the bottom of the first round.

Coming out of Penn State is Arnold Ebiketie, another seemingly fascinating EDGE prospect that the Penn State coaching staff has churned out. Recently, we’ve seen how well Micah Parsons has translated his pass-rushing skills (even though he’s technically a middle linebacker for the Cowboys) into the NFL and we’ve also seen what Odafe Oweh could do with the Baltimore Ravens.

Ebiketie looks like he could be the next Nittany Lion to come into the NFL and make an impact as a pass rusher.

When watching his game film, as well as the film from his Senior Bowl practices, the one word that kept coming to mind was “twitchy”.

A former transfer from Temple, Ebiketie has had solid pass-rushing grades for the last three years. He showcased a good variety of pass rush moves, as well as great get-off and ability to turn the corner at a high level.

3 surprise players the Denver Broncos could trade in 2022

The Denver Broncos may surprise some people with trades they make in the 2022 offseason. Which players could be on the move if the price is right?

He utilizes his length and athleticism well, making him a strong draft target for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defense is going to heavily rely on making plays in the backfield and Ebketie has the tools to complete the task.