The final position of need that we’ll be covering for the Denver Broncos with the 2017 NFL Draft fast approaching is the inside linebacker position. Outside of Brandon Marshall, who’s signed on for a few more seasons, the depth at ILB is severely lacking, and you need two starters in a 3-4. Ever since the Broncos let Danny Trevathan leave in free agency, they’ve lacked an instinctive gap-stuffing linebacker on the interior who could quickly close on plays against the run.

Trevathan wasn’t big, but his ability to quickly read plays and get there immediately made him a very important player. Marshall is also important and has always been the one tasked with the greater coverage responsibilities, but he’s also missed some time the last few seasons due to injuries. Having more competent backups in coverage would be big for the Broncos who’ve historically struggled covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game.

Because of this, we’re offering up the best and most likely options for the Broncos in the draft both in replacing Trevathan and giving the Broncos more options in covering tight ends and backs when Marshall’s on the sideline

Three options for the first round

Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

Foster falling to the Broncos at 20 seemed like crazy talk only a few months ago, but a lot has changed since then. Foster’s stock has plummeted due to his dismissal from the combine and a diluted drug test at that same combine.

If the Broncos do their due diligence on him off the field, and they feel comfortable with his recent transgressions, he could be a phenomenal pick.

On tape, he’s the clear-cut best backer in the class and one of the best defenders available, period. His ability to cover lots of ground and close on plays in the open field is truly elite. He’s a special player with a thumper’s mentality who’ll intimidate players at the second level. In Denver, he’d be a huge help in stopping the run and would also give the Broncos a playmaker sideline-to-sideline and in intermediate coverage.

Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple

Reddick’s been a huge riser in the draft process in congruence with his interesting journey through college football, starting as a walk-on defensive back and ending as one of the best pass-rushing defensive ends in the AAC.

Reddick’s fit in the NFL will be at linebacker, a role he played at times in college and he shined. He also showed well at the Senior Bowl, demonstrating sideline-to-sideline speed in addition to some impressive cover skills. He confirmed the athletic traits to be a super linebacker at the combine with some impressive testing scores.

Reddick’s addition could aid the Broncos in covering tight ends, running backs, having a talented lane-filler against the run and adding some situational pass rushing skills as well. A very intriguing packet of skills.

Jarrad Davis, OLB, Florida

Davis has become a hot name in draft circles after having been a favorite in the preseason but losing some ground during an often injury-marred 2016 season. After a solid showing at his pro day, putting up impressive athletic testing numbers, he’s back in the first-round conversation, and his tape is really impressive.

Davis plays with a reckless abandon that’s awesome to see on tape. He flies around, is seemingly always in the mix and really shines in shooting gaps to clog up the run. He’s also got the mobility and coverage skills to make him a modern three-down linebacker. He might be a reach for the Broncos at 20, but there’s a good chance he could get snatched up by divisional rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs or Oakland Raiders in the mid-20s.

Solid starters to target day two

Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

Cunningham’s stock’s gone the opposite way, as Davis has risen he’s fallen off a bit. Cunningham’s a bit slender, and it shows at times when he has to take on blocks. He’s also struggled with his tackling at times with a few too many missed attempts – the Alvin Kamara tape against Tennessee was an eye-opener.

He fits the mold of a modern off-the-line linebacker with good instincts and sideline-to-sideline coverage skills. If given a stout line to protect him up front, he could really be a talented interior backer.

Raekwon McMillan, ILB, Ohio State 

McMillan’s been a big name since his days back in high school as a big-time recruit. He’s a thumper, plays up close on the line and does a great job of attacking downhill. He closes on plays quickly when they’re in front of him and is strong taking on bigger linemen.

He’s pretty good sideline-to-sideline, and he’s flashed the ability to cover high level running backs in the passing game also. He did, however, start the season off poorly, getting exposed a bit in coverage against Oklahoma in particular, but his stock seems to be back up now and his leadership is another plus. The more you watch, the more it seems like his coverage issues aren’t due to athletic limitations which are supported by his impressive athletic testing. Best case scenario, he’s a thumping 100-plus tackler who can play all three downs, though maybe he needs to be hidden in coverage. Worst case scenario, he’s a great two-down linebacker who’s a potential team captain.

Anthony Walker Jr., ILB, Northwestern

Walker’s another player who came into the season with a fair amount of hype but his stock’s cooled off during the season. He was a big player for Northwestern’s defense, but he’s a bit of an old-school player.

In zone coverage, he can cover and has decent lateral mobility. He’s fairly complete in his ability to drop back or attack the line of scrimmage. He can be slow to react, and his instincts will need a bit of work. He’ll get exposed if asked to turn and run after tight ends and running backs. As an aid in the run game with decent size, who can also play in certain formations in coverage without being exposed, he’d be a valuable option.

The gems in day three

Steven Taylor, OLB, Houston 

Everyone’s talking about the other linebacker on Houston’s defense, Tyus Bowser—who’d fit as an outside backer in the Broncos defense and blew up the combine—but when you watch the film, you see that Taylor’s the real star. Taylor flies around the field and is seemingly found in every play. He plays with a style that’s reminiscent of Danny Trevathan as he can slip through gaps and makes a ton of plays in opposing backfields (his 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks can attest.)

As an undersized interior backer, he’s also shown the ability to make plays in coverage. He’s bound to slip after less-than-stellar testing numbers, but he’s got ‘late-round steal’ written all over him.

Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State

Lee’s a great player and the exact type of linebacker that constantly slips through the cracks in drafts but then becomes a big name in the NFL despite size limitations. He has a slender frame, but he’s all over the field. He can cover, he’s excellent sideline-to-sideline, and in coverage and as a cover backer he’s really talented too. He’s not perfect, but he has all the athletic tools to be special.

One of the biggest combine snubs, Lee’s just a playmaker who’d fit nicely for what the Broncos need and what’s worked in the past.

Tanner Vallejo, OLB, Boise State

Vallejo’s another undersized linebacker on this list who’s very talented when he doesn’t have to take on opposing lineman. He might not be an upgrade against the run, as he’ll make most of his plays off the line, but he’s got nice athletic tools and football instincts – think a slightly smaller Kiko Alonso.

He’d be a big help in coverage and could complement Marshall well as a second inside backer.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, OLB, Tennessee

Reeves-Maybin came into the season with big expectations but injuries cut his season to only four games, and he’s really fallen off. He’s another smaller type who will struggle to take on blockers at the line of scrimmage, but he plays with a reckless abandon, flying all over the field.

He’s very reminiscent of Trevathan in his ability to read and quickly make plays downhill. His impact as a run defender with nice instincts and range sideline-to-sideline would make him a great fit. He has some cover abilities, though he’s not an ace as his size would suggest. A great pick in the later rounds.

Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

Anzalone’s become a popular choice for draftniks after a standout performance at the Senior Bowl. The guy stands out on tape as well where he’s really a playmaker downhill.

Anzalone moves smoothly and flashes some intriguing instincts. His big question mark will be his injury history as he’s started very few games and only appeared in 10 the last two seasons. If Denver’s medical staff clears him, he could make for an interesting pickup in the late rounds.

Paul Magloire, SS/LB, Arizona

Will Parks’ partner in the Wildcats backfield might just make sense for the Broncos. Magloire played a bit of a hybrid safety-linebacker and will likely do the same in the NFL, though at 227 pounds he’s as big if not bigger than many of the guys in this tier.

Magloire plays with bad intentions, and on a Vance Joseph defense that uses lots of five defensive back sets with a safety up on the line like a linebacker, Magloire would be perfectly suited.

Dylan Cole, ILB, Missouri State

A hot name after putting up some impressive numbers at his pro day, Cole plays in a fashion that suits what the Broncos need. He’s extremely fast sideline to sideline, covering lots of ground. He plays with his hair on fire and attacks downhill like a maniac. Still rough around the edges, but he’d help plug the run if kept clean and would have enough athleticism to stay with opposing backs and tight ends an area Denver’s had trouble with.

Summing it up

There are a couple of really intriguing options for Denver in round one, where they could upgrade the position significantly while also improving the struggling run defense and adding more multiplicity to the defense. Considering the Broncos have been able to find high-level starters in the past in the later rounds, they might also go after one of the gems above.