Denver Broncos continue researching defensive backs for 2022 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos are clearly looking to add a cornerback in the 2022 NFL Draft and met with Auburn cornerbacks Smoke Monday and Roger McCreary.
The Denver Broncos added another cornerback to their pre-draft visit list recently. After visiting with East Carolina’s Ja’Quan McMillian recently, the team moved on to Auburn to check out Auburn Tigers Smoke Monday and Roger McCreary.
Monday was a two-year starter for the Tigers. In four years at Auburn, he recorded four interceptions, six sacks, 170 total tackles including 105 solo tackles, and nine tackles for loss during the 2021 season.
Monday is a ferocious run defender. When a team is facing a running back that is hard to bring down, Monday could be a major solution to the problem.
For example, Jonathon Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts and Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They were two of the best at breaking tackles in 2021.
According to ProFootballReference.com, the Denver Broncos had the least amount of missed tackles during the 2021 season with 84. Putting that into perspective, the Detroit Lions had the most missed tackles with 132. The Broncos obviously want to continue being a top tackling team. Smoke Monday could really help in that regard.
One of the things that strikes me most when watching Monday is his hard-hitting mentality. Almost every tackle I saw him make involved the ball carrier getting lit up. That’s absolutely something I want on the Broncos.
At the 2022 NFL Combine, Monday ran a 4.52 40-yard dash. He stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 207 pounds.
McCreary’s draft stock has been rising recently. The latest is that he is said to be a potential late-first round prospect to early second. In this case, the Denver Broncos would have to really be in love with him because they own the final selection in the second round.
McCreary recorded 135 tackles during his collegiate career. In 2020, he had a career-high three interceptions. He stands at 6-feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. If teams view his size as a concern, causing him to slide down draft boards, the Broncos might have a shot at drafting him.
The Broncos selected Pat Surtain II in the first round of last year’s draft (who has become a star already), but with Bryce Callahan and Kyle Fuller possibly not returning, the team needs to add some starters and depth in the defensive backfield through the draft. Keep your eyes on Monday and McCreary.