Despite not having a first-round pick, the Denver Broncos still have nine selections in the upcoming NFL Draft.
In less than three weeks, we’ll be glued to our televisions or checking draft results any chance we can get to see which players went where. In all, over 250 players will be chosen in the draft. The Broncos (barring trades) will choose nine of those players.
Whether it be with one of the team’s allotted picks or through the undrafted free-agent process, it’s always fun to bring in players that fans of the team are familiar with after those players starred in the area whether it be in high school or for one of the nearby college teams.
In recent years, the Broncos have had players such as Phillip Lindsay and Dalton Risner who both became instant fan favorites after growing up in Colorado and playing at a high level in high school. Lindsay also played for the Colorado Buffaloes and had a tremendous, albeit short, run with the Broncos.
Looking at some of the teams that play in the area, here are some players who could end up with the Broncos in 2022, either as a player drafted by the team or one signed as a free agent following the draft.
Some of these players have been talked about quite a bit in connection with the Broncos already.
Small school prospects
Starting with some of the guys who likely won’t hear their name called on draft day but could find their way to an NFL roster:
Trevor Philio, OLB, Colorado State-Pueblo
Born and raised in Denver, Trevor Philio had a big high school career at Cherry Creek High playing under Dave Logan. Philio is a quick, athletic player but because of his career taking place with the small-school ThunderWolves, you will need to really dig to find much on him.
But he is definitely a player with some upside who could come into a training camp and show what he has as a developmental prospect. The 10 sacks he posted in 2021 were the most in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Broncos potential prospects from Colorado State Rams
The CSU Rams have struggled in recent years, having missed a Bowl game appearance in each of the last four seasons. They have gone 11-29 over the course of that time but they do have some players that could find their way to NFL rosters here soon, highlighted by perhaps the best tight end in the draft.
Trey McBride, Tight end
Trey McBride can do a little bit of everything and has the overall talent to be a top 5 tight end in the league someday. He has been mocked to the Broncos many times and if he is on the board when the team selects at No. 64 in the second round, he would be a fabulous pick for the team.
A combination of McBride and Albert Okwuegbunam could be quite formidable.
Scott Patchan, Defensive lineman
Scott Patchan transferred to CSU after beginning his college career at the University of Miami. His draft projection seems to be all over the board but he is a late-round pick at best and could be looking at the undrafted route.
Patchan projects best to the 4-3 defensive scheme but with some more muscle on his frame, he could be a contributor in the 3-4, especially for a team looking for depth along the defensive line such as the Broncos.
Patchan is a guy who, even if undrafted, could make a 53-man roster. He had 11.5 sacks last year for the Rams and his 29 reps on the bench press were more than any other defensive lineman at the scouting combine.
One knock on him is that he is already 25 years old.
Broncos potential draft prospects from Wyoming Cowboys
We’ll include Wyoming on this list because of the proximity to Colorado but also because Chad Muma, one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, went to high school in Colorado.
We have covered Muma quite a bit on this site and his selection would likely be met with immediate applause from the fanbase. If I’m George Paton and Muma is on the board at No. 64, he is my pick.
Muma is a three-down linebacker and a player that would make a lot of sense in Denver not only due to his local ties but also because the Broncos could use him at the inside linebacker position which frankly, looks fairly weak heading into the draft.
Muma led the entire country with 142 tackles last season. He hits anything that moves, has a high football IQ and can drop back into coverage to work against a tight end going across the middle, something the Broncos have had difficulties with for quite some time.
Broncos potential draft prospects from the Colorado Buffaloes
The Colorado Buffaloes have been an unsuccessful football program for quite some time but the school still has the capability of pumping out a solid prospect here and there.
Carson Wells, Linebacker
Carson Wells is a late-round prospect with a high motor and a real knack for making plays in the defensive backfield. In four seasons with the Buffs, Wells had 154 tackles (39 of those for a loss), 17.5 sacks and three interceptions.
He could be a really sneaky addition to the team that takes a chance on him.
Mustafa Johnson, Defensive lineman
Most likely an undrafted free agent, Johnson also posted solid numbers in the sacks and tackles for loss department at CU but his size (or lack thereof) will have him off most team’s draft boards. He is athletic, but will likely get pushed around at the next level and find it hard to produce.
Nate Landman, Linebacker
If you haven’t watched any Buffaloes games in the last few years, Nate Landman was the absolute heart of the team’s defense. He gives 110 percent on every play and seems to be in on every play in one way or another.
An absolute tackling machine, Landman had over 100 tackles in each of his sophomore and junior seasons and will bring effort and desire to any team that takes him.
He is a bit unrefined and can be reckless, described by some scouts as a bull in a china shop. But he has potential as a depth linebacker and special teams player that could eventually work his way into a starting lineup, much like recent Broncos signing Alex Singleton once did with the Philadelphia Eagles.