The Denver Broncos don't pick until the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but just because they have to wait a long time for their first selection doesn't mean they can't be selective. In fact, the Broncos really have to be selective with their top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. There are certain position groups where this team already has depth, or young players needing development, and other position groups where more depth or younger players are actually needed.
So what position groups do the Broncos need to actively avoid with their top pick(s) in the 2023 NFL Draft? Of course, the "best player available" strategy trumps all, so if there is a prospect sitting there who simply shouldn't be there, this list is irrelevant, but if all of the players on the board are in a similar range on the Broncos' draft board, then these three positions should be largely ignored with the team's top selections.
3 positions the Denver Broncos should avoid with their top 2023 NFL Draft pick
1. EDGE rusher
We've got to talk about the Denver Broncos' current situation at EDGE rusher. Of course, the team traded Bradley Chubb last year to the Miami Dolphins, which has prompted many to think that EDGE has suddenly become a top need for this roster in 2023. If that were the case, the team might have gone a little harder after EDGE help in NFL Free Agency. Let's look at why the team should actively avoid picking this position with one of its top picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Again, as long as most of the players on the board are around the same "grade" by the team.
The Broncos moved Baron Browning from off-ball linebacker to EDGE in 2022, and that position switch seems to have been a success so far. Browning needs continued development at that position and the Broncos certainly shouldn't give up on him as a starter. The team also signed Randy Gregory as a big-money free agent in 2022, and even though he was injured for most of last season, they simply can't throw in the towel on that investment yet.
Those two players will likely project as the Broncos' starters for 2022, but there are players behind them the team has invested in as well. Nik Bonitto was the team's top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the Broncos just hired his former position coach at Oklahoma -- Jamar Cain -- to come in and work with the pass rushers in 2023. At some point, you have a bit of redundancy at this position with guys like Browning, Bonitto, and even 2021 seventh-round pick Jonathon Cooper, who has shown flashes of being a solid option off the edge as well.
The Broncos also traded a fourth-round pick for pass rusher Jacob Martin of the Jets last year at the trade deadline. Aaron Patrick is coming back from an ACL injury. Christopher Allen -- a top undrafted free agent pickup in 2022 -- is also going to be in the mix.
Again, there's a level of redundancy when you're picking guys in the 50s, 60s, and beyond of the NFL Draft. Top-flight edge prospects don't typically fall there, and that's a position group you'd likely prefer to find someone within your top 20 or 30 prospects with the group the Broncos have.
2. Off-ball linebacker
The Denver Broncos do not need to use their top pick on an off-ball linebacker. As of this time last year, the off-ball linebacker spot was arguably the worst position group on the roster. Remember that?
Josey Jewell was coming off of a season-ending injury, and his status was questionable at the very least.
The Broncos brought in Alex Singleton in free agency, but before he got to Denver, he wasn't exactly beloved by Philadelphia fans, and they weren't exactly sad to see him go. He had signed for just over $1 million and really that move failed to move the needle for people.
Jonas Griffith was exciting as an athlete, but was also considered a project and anything but a sure thing.
The Broncos put their faith in those three guys and while Griffith struggled with an injury, the duo of Jewell and Singleton was arguably one of the best in the entire NFL. The Broncos had outstanding linebacker play all of last season and going into the 2023 NFL Draft, I think they can have confidence in that position group among the top three guys.
Are you really going to go after a linebacker with your top pick in the NFL Draft when you have three guys at that position group that could start? I just don't think that's necessary for the time being. Maybe if the team didn't bring back Singleton it could make sense. As of right now, however, I just don't see how this position group needs to be looked at with the team's top overall pick or either of those two third-rounders.
3. Safety
Of all the position groups included here, I think safety may be the easiest one to justify taking based on the current roster, but let's look at why the Broncos should not use their top picks at this position.
First of all, it seems like the team is likely to bring back veteran Kareem Jackson into the mix. What his role will be is unknown but it does seem like there's mutual interest there. If Jackson comes back into the mix, you have him alongside Justin Simmons, as well as some younger players in PJ Locke, Caden Sterns, and 2022 fifth-round pick Delarrin Turner-Yell.
The Broncos have young guys at this position, and although both Sterns and Turner-Yell were just fifth-round draft picks who are not above being replaced, I think there have been flashes from the young guys (specifically Sterns and Locke) to warrant passing on this position group early.
Defensive backs coach Christian Parker should be getting as many young players as the Broncos can afford to bring in, but if the defensive backfield is emphasized with those early selections, it should be at the cornerback position, where the Broncos could use some depth behind the presumptive starters in Pat Surtain, Damarri Mathis, and K'Waun Williams. They did sign Tremon Smith, so perhaps he will get some run, but you can never have too many good corners.
At the safety position, I feel like the Broncos need to see what they've got with the group they have. That doesn't mean they should pass on drafting someone altogether, but with those top picks? I think there are other positions they need to look at first.