Ranking the Broncos’ positional needs entering the first round of NFL Draft

DENVER — Need, need, need, need.

Less than two months ago, at the NFL Combine, this was Vic Fangio’s evaluation of the Broncos’ roster—needs at nearly every position.

After a few successful moves in free agency, things have changed.

Drastically.

Two of Denver’s biggest needs have vanished, while a clear front runner has emerged.

Here’s the likelihood of Denver going after each position with their oh-so-valuable No. 10 overall pick.

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT

Running back

After being brutally honest about nearly every other position on the roster at the Combine, Fangio was admittedly happy with his young backs.

“I think we’re very pleased with our running back position,” he said, singing a different tune. “We’ve got three or four guys that we’re very happy to have. We feel fortunate in the depth that we have, and the youth. I look at that as one of our strong suits with the team. We’re happy to have Royce [Freeman] and Phillip [Lindsay]. I think we’re in good shape there.”

Nuff said.

Outside linebacker

It’s hard to say that anything is completely off the board with Elway, especially when it comes to outside backers. But this one should be. And it will be. But don’t get it confused with defensive end or inside linebacker (read below).

NOT OFF THE TABLE

Quarterback

Elway’s rumored love for Drew Lock seems like it was ages ago. But it shouldn’t completely be forgotten.

Additionally, with the Jaguars out of the quarterback market, and the Giants pledging their love for Eli Manning, it’s not inconceivable for Dwayne Haskins—the consensus No. 1 quarterback just a few months ago—to fall into Denver’s lap, an idea that seemed out of the question not too long ago.

Would Elway bite?

Cornerback

On the surface, it seems absolutely ridiculous to draft a cornerback in the first round after investing $18 million per year into this position in the free agent signings of Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan.

But Chris Harris Jr. has yet to report to the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program as he seeks a new contract. Elway wants to wait until after the draft until looking into extending current players on the roster.

This leaves the door open for a corner early in the draft.

It would be hard to see Denver drafting a corner at No. 10, but if they trade back, this becomes just that much more of an option.

SLEEPER

Receiver

A source close to the Broncos told BSN Denver the team believes Joe Flacco can be a top-level quarterback if given pieces around him. Well, in terms of weapons, the Broncos have done nothing in that department as of yet.

D.K. Metcalf has drawn much of the attention for his incredible physical tools and looks, but don’t forget about Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Antonio Brown’s cousin would give Flacco a speedy threat all over the field, specifically deep.

Safety

If Kareem Jackson’s a corner, the safety position has been the quietest position on the defense this offseason.

Could the position be upgraded? Sure.

Entering last season, the Broncos thought they had a rising star in Justin Simmons. A down year brought him back to earth, but at the same time Will Parks took off more than most expected.

Do the Broncos have their future safety duo or do they not even have one safety that will be with the team for the long term?

There’s no definitive answer. And all of this combined makes this a true sleeper position.

A NEED THAT CAN’T BE DENIED

Tight end

Even after locking up Jeff Heuerman for two more years, there’s still significant room for improvement.

Heuerman’s the most accomplished tight end on the roster by a mile, and in his best season, last year, he had 281 receiving yards.

With Jake Butt recovering from his third torn ACL and Troy Fumagalli coming off a redshirt rookie season, tight end is the ultimate gamble on the roster right now.

Butt could emerge as a dangerous receiving threat and revitalize the group, or injuries could plague all three and put Denver in the same place they’ve been with the position since Julius Thomas left.

What makes this that much more intriguing is Flacco has historically loved using tight ends, and there are two elite ones in the draft—T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant.

Offensive line

Elway made a splash at right tackle in free agency, making Ja’Wuan James the highest-paid right tackle in the game.

Outside of that, however, there are legitimate questions at every other position on the line.

Will Ron Leary successfully recover from a torn Achilles and be the player the Broncos hoped when they made him one of the highest-paid guards in the league?

Will Connor McGovern successfully move to center?

Will Garett Bolles take Mike Munchak’s coaching and live up to being a first-round tackle?

Will Elijah Wilkinson continue his transition to guard and be a reliable starter?

Until those questions are answered, the offensive line absolutely can’t be overlooked.

Additionally, Elway said it’s “very important” to steady the offensive line for Flacco.

THE QUIET POSSIBILITY

Defensive line

Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis and Shelby Harris—Denver’s best defensive lineman—are all entering the final year of their respective deals in 2019.

Additionally, Denver let Domata Peko, their starting nose tackle last year, walk in free agency. While they did re-sign Zach Kerr, there’s still a hole in the middle, not to mention a glaring need all across the line after this year.

The cherry on top of all of this is that defensive line is the absolute strength of this draft, no questions asked.

Many believe Denver can land a transcendent player along the defensive line at No. 10.

Just think about adding a dominant defensive lineman to go along with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb on the outside with the revamped secondary in the backend. Yikes.

Oh, and Elway’s not afraid to invest heavily in the defensive line as he drafted defensive ends in back-to-back drafts just two years ago.

This would also most likely allow Denver to truly go BPA.

FRONTRUNNER

Inside linebacker

How? What? No. Inside linebacker in the first round? Not John Elway.

But Vic Fangio.

Not only is Fangio known to love inside linebackers, he publicly pleaded at the Combine for Elway to give him a couple this offseason.

“We need to add to that group,” Fangio stated, not mincing his words. “But I like some of the players we do have available there in Todd Davis, Josey Jewell and other players that have played in backup roles. But I’d like to see us add a player or two there to be competitive.”

So far, the Broncos haven’t touched the position.

There would be no better way to do this than giving Fangio the best (Devin White) or second best (Devin Bush) inside linebacker in the draft, both of which are viewed as great first-round prospects.

That’s precisely what the Bears did last year, giving Fangio the best inside backer in the draft, Roquan Smith, No. 8 overall. That turned out pretty well, too, as Fangio led the Bears to the best defense in the league.