Denver Broncos add multiple sleepers to pre-draft visit list
The Denver Broncos held pre-draft visits with safety Nick Grant and running back Shermari Jones.
The Denver Broncos are always looking for depth, and with not a lot of starting positions up for grabs, they are using some of their pre-NFL Draft visits on guys that can provide help when called upon without necessarily having a huge role (at least to begin their careers).
The Broncos held pre-draft visits with Virginia safety Nick Grant and Coastal Carolina running back Shermari Jones in late March.
The Broncos have not shut the door on a return by safety Kareem Jackson nor running back Melvin Gordon. A little tidbit here and something to note: Gordon recently let go of his previous agency for a new one, in hopes of landing a significant contract offer from a team. Whether that’s the Broncos remains to be seen, but it’s a smart strategy regardless.
Javonte Williams will enter the 2022 season as the starting running back, with Mike Boone currently his backup.
As it stands now, Caden Sterns could line up next to free safety Justin Simmons in place of Jackson, who the team signed back in 2019.S
Shermari Jones transferred to Coastal Carolina from Independence Community College. Upon his transfer, Jones had just under 400 rushing yards during his first of two seasons at the school. He upped his game in 2021, however, rushing for 1,040 yards, and 13 rushing touchdowns on 159 carries.
At Coastal Carolina’s Pro Day, the 6-foot-1, 220 pound Jones ran a 4.55 40-yard dash. He also put up 20 reps during his time at the bench press portion of his Pro Day.
Nick Grant appears to be a punishing tackler who is not afraid of contact. At Virginia’s Pro Day, Grant ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, which isn’t stellar. He put up 19 reps during his bench press.
Grant played a tremendous five seasons at Virginia, where he improved his game. His lack of speed, however, makes me believe that he would be ideal only during plays in which a team plays zone coverage, or he could play some safety.
It could be fun seeing what type of player Grant develops into while in a defensive scheme such as Ejiro Evero’s.