Broncos’ Draft Needs: Thanks to Shelby Harris, Denver doesn't need to reach in a poor defensive line class

George Paton didn’t even wait a few hours to make his first move of free agency back in March.

The Broncos, led by their new general manager, didn’t make a big splash at quarterback to open up the legal tampering period. Instead, the Broncos stayed in Denver and signed defensive lineman Shelby Harris to a three-year, $27 million contract.

Looking toward the 2021 NFL Draft, it’s no surprise keeping Shelby was a top priority for the Broncos. Here’s why and what Denver is looking at in the coming draft in terms of defensive lineman.

Special thanks to Andre Simone for providing draft input.

Current players on the roster

Starters: Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell, Dre’Mont Jones

Depth: McTelvin Agim, DeShawn Williams, Jonathan Harris, Darius Kilgo, Deyon Sizer, Isaiah Mack

Level of need entering the draft: Not pressing

Strength of position in draft: Historically bad

Round(s) targeted: Day 3

Top players in the draft: Christian Barmore (Alabama), Levi Onwuzurike (Washington), Dayvion Nixon (Iowa)

DNVR’s draft analyst Andre Simone describes the 2021 defensive line group as “such a bad class,” “no depth and very few high end guys” and “rare to see a group in the trenches that’s so talent deficient.”

Yikes.

Safe to say, it’s a very, very good thing the Broncos don’t need to address the defensive line in this draft. Another reason why re-signing Shelby was so key.

With Harris, Mike Purcell and Dre’Mont Jones, the Broncos have their starting defensive line set in stone for this upcoming season. However, Paton could upgrade the depth on the line in the later rounds of the draft.

McTelvin Agim, a 2020 third-round pick, is the only lock to make the roster this coming year among the backups. DeShawn Williams flashed very encouraging play last season, but has not guaranteed himself a roster spot. Every other player will have to prove themself in training camp.

After not addressing the defensive line in free agency since dishing out $9 million per year to Harris, Paton will turn to the draft to add a depth piece or two. But since the defensive line class is historically bad, don’t expect Denver to use a top pick on the position.

The combination of a weak draft class on top of Denver not desperate for top-end talent along the defensive line will make it so the Broncos wait until Day 3 to address the position.

With Purcell coming off a season-ending Lisfranc injury, nose tackle should be Denver’s biggest priority along the defensive line. Fortunately, the big boys in the middle of the defensive line tend to slip later into the draft, which could allow Paton to add a talented player on Day 3.

Thanks to Denver re-signing Shelby Harris, the Broncos won’t be forced to reach for a defensive lineman from a very underwhelming group.