5 first-rounders Broncos should consider who won't replace Russell Wilson

I think it's very possible that the Denver Broncos do not draft a QB in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Well, if they don't, who could they target instead? Russell Wilson hasn't been great, but he's top-five in a lot of major QB categories. QBs who are "washed-up" don't put up those kinds of numbers.

I do think Wilson is making a case to remain as the starter for at least 2024. And honestly, that might be the best long-term play for the Denver Broncos. They finally seem to have some stability at the position, and I think Wilson has done well in his first year working with Sean Payton. Well, the Broncos might not be picking high enough in the first round to land a top QB prospect.

In fact, they might be better off taking another position with their first pick, which honestly feels like it'll end up being around the 10th-12th overall. Anyway, let's look at five players the Denver Broncos can draft in the first round that won't be replacing Russell Wilson.

5 first-rounders Broncos should consider who won't replace Russell Wilson
1. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The one area that I think needs to be a huge point of emphasis in 2024 is the pass rush. Denver might have something with Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, and Baron Browning, but none of them scream "dawg" yet, ya know what I mean? The Broncos need to find their own TJ Watt, Micah Parsons, etc. Right now, I think they have a lot of solid comlimentary pieces.

Well, Dallas Turner from Alabama might just be that dawg that the Denver Broncos need. He's a junior who has 7.0 sacks through nine games and has 28.5 tackles for loss in just 33 games. He gets into the backfield and can also rush the passer pretty well, as he has 19.5 career sacks. He's also playing in the SEC, which is where the best players in the country go, so he's up against the best competition.

2. Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame

A top prospect along the offensive line that goes to Notre Dame is usually a good sign. Joe Alt might be the best all-around OL prospect in this entire class, and he's still just 20-years-old. It's not that the Denver Broncos urgently need a left tackle, but Garett Bolles is no the wrong side of 30, so there's that.

Alt is also 6-foot-8 and over 300 pounds, so this is an absolute mountain of a grown man.

Alt would join another 6-foot-8 tackle from Notre Dame in Mike McGlinchey, which could be fun. Honestly, I think if a prospect of Alt's caliber were to fall to the Denver Broncos, they should jump on it. The team could probably easily trade Garett Bolles and save a bit of money along the offensive line. My personal opinion is not going with a left tackle in round one, but perhaps later in the draft.

3. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

I definitely would not hate if the Denver Broncos nabbed up the second-best WR prospect in the 2024 class in April. Keon Coleman is 6-foot-4 and is just an insane athlete who has an unlimited catch radius. The Broncos do have an extremely talented WR room, but the room has been marred by injuries and inconsistent play for years.

I mean my gosh, the last time Tim Patrick caught a pass for the Denver Broncos was in 2021, and Courtland Sutton has clearly not been able to regain his post-ACL injury self. Jerry Jeudy is also up and down and is a bit of a distraction. I don't think it's a guarantee that any of Patrick, Sutton, or Jeudy are here in 2024.

Well, Keon Coleman could certainly fill that big-bodied WR role for the Broncos, and he'd be a nice compliment to Marvin Mims Jr, who needs to be involved in the offense more. Another plus to Coleman's game appears to be his willingness to be a fierce run-blocker, which is a must in Sean Payton's offenses:

WR could be a huge need for the Broncos next year.

4. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Second-year CB Damarri Mathis was supposed to take a step forward this year and cement himself as the CB2 in Denver alongside Patrick Surtain II. Well, that has not been the case, as Mathis has looked so bad that he got benched for veteran journeyman Fabian Moreau, who has played well thus far.

I wouldn't hate it if the Broncos re-signed Moreau as a depth piece and found a slot cornerback in free agency on the cheap. And then, using their first-round pick on a CB would also complete the room. Kool-Aid McKinstry not only has a kool name... see what I did there? But he's also the best CB in the country. He's got adequate size, standing at 6-foot-1, and excels in man coverage.

The Broncos need another cornerback who can cover. They had one named Ronald Darby, but the Broncos cut him last offseason. And guess what? Darby is playing very well with the Baltimore Ravens, who have the best defense in the NFL. Anyway, the Broncos having both of their starting CBs being from Alabama would also be a nice touch.

5. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

I'm trying to be diverse here in including five different positions. Brock Bowers seems to be objectively viewed as one of the five-ish best prospects in the 2024 draft class. He's a specimen at the tight end positions and based on what I've read about him from people smarter than me, he is going to be a Day 1 impact player.

Bowers has missed some games this year due to a high ankle sprain, but it seems like he could return this year. The junior finance major has caught 160 passes for 2,391 yards and 24 touchdowns over 37 career games at Georgia. He's an insane athlete at the position and is almost a perfect size for the position, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 240lbs.

The Denver Broncos were supposed to see second-year tight end Greg Dulcich take a big step this year, but his hamstring had other plans. At this point, the team should not rely on Dulcich anymore and should not view him as a piece going forward. He cannot stay on the field, which is the No. 1 factor for playing in the NFL.

Denver needs to view Dulcich being on the field as a bonus, and I don't even know what to say about Adam Trautman. The Broncos do have a huge need at tight end. Chris Manhertz is a fine blocking tight end but is not a receiving threat. Bowers can satisfy that need in 2024 and beyond.