With the first of their three third-round selections, the Denver Broncos made one of their few defensive picks by selecting Michael Ojemudia, the defensive back out of Iowa.

While not a household name, the All-Big Ten second-team selection elevated his stock throughout the draft process and possesses prototypical size-speed combination as an outside cornerback in the NFL. It doesn’t hurt that he’s been groomed at Iowa, making him the third Hawkeye in three consecutive years to be elected by the Broncos.

That pedigree earned Ojemudia a third-round grade on our big board, projecting as a future NFL starter with an array of skills that should fit quite well in Vic Fangio’s defense.

After going back to the tape, here’s what you need to know about Ojemudia and how he’ll fit in Denver.

Strengths

• Possesses great size at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, uses his length well to disturb receivers.
• Tested well in all categories at the NFL Combine, running a 4.45 40-yard dash and confirming his explosiveness and agility reacting to cutting routes.
• Speed shows up when he recovers on deep throws.

• Willing tackler and run defender lowers his shoulder and seeks out contact.

• Shows promising ball skills breaking on the ball in zone type looks, uses size well to compete for contested catches and 50-50 balls.

• At his best when reading and reacting, coming downhill when facing the action.

• Shows promising route recognition, eye discipline, and quickness to break on the ball.

• Has big-nickel versatility and skills that translate well at safety. Could project as a fifth defensive back in sub-packages and excel closer to the line of scrimmage.

• Not a pure man corner at this juncture but was sticky, physical and feisty in one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl. He has upside as a pure cover corner.
• Plays physical and is ideally suited in press coverage. Has a knack for covering bigger receivers without elite change-of-direction quickness.

• Possesses promising ball skills and does a good job breaking up passes and reading plays.

• Battle-tested. Handled several future pro receivers and more than held his own.
• Good big cornerback who with fluidity, makes it look easy. Plays with composure.

Weaknesses

• Wasn’t a star in college, high-floor prospect with slightly limited upside.
• Can be overly physical and grabby, penalty prone.
• Doesn’t have great hands, often just dives at the ball rather than trying to intercept the pass.
• Has to improve his tackling, doesn’t wrap up preferring to go for the big hit and lunge with his shoulder.
• Can get overly excited defending the run and take bad angles.
• Isn’t the smoothest turning and running after receivers, better facing the action and reacting.
• Not a natural lockdown, No. 1 corner.
• Developing better instincts and ball skills will largely determine his ability to achieve his full potential.
• Can be a bit too reliant on his recovery speed and susceptible to deep shots.
• Needs to improve his jam in press coverage. 

Broncos Fit

Ojemudia might not have been the sexiest pick but he’s a quality prospect who checks off lots of boxes and was part of Iowa’s leadership group—the Hawkeye’s equivalent of a captainship. Ojemudia has a lot of the traits to play as an outside corner for the Broncos and maximize his talents with more zone looks, where his size, speed and ball skills should play up with some more reps and NFL coaching.

His raw tools on top of his high-character, physicality, and willingness to tackle make him an ideal fit in Vic Fangio’s defense. His size, physicality and play downhill make him versatile too with the ability to do some of what Will Parks was asked to do in 2019 with more speed and ability in coverage.

If he can refine his footwork and hands, Ojemudia could prove to be a key starter in the secondary as a tough, competitive cornerback that makes the defense that much harder to beat