Denver Broncos 2014 Draft Review: It's Roby and a Host of Question Marks

With the 2015 NFL Draft on the clock, BSN Denver is taking a look back at the four previous drafts during John Elway’s regime as general manager.

Today, we complete the four-part series by sizing up the six selections in the Orange and Blue’s 2014 draft class:

Round 1, Pick 31: CB Bradley Roby (Ohio State)

Roby was contributor from game No. 1, playing in all 17 contests – primarily as the nickel corner – including a pair of starts. He had two interceptions, finished third on the team with 14 passes defensed, tied for third with 67 total tackles and also forced two fumbles, made two fumble recoveries and had a sack. He projects in the same role this season, but there has been talk of playing Roby at safety to get him on the field more. Grade: A

Round 2, Pick 56: WR Cody Latimer (Indiana)

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound wideout looked like he was going to make an immediate impact, following up a strong training camp with five catches for 116 yards and a TD in the preseason. But while the rest of the 2014 NFL rookie receiver class was putting up historical numbers, Latimer put in some serious time on the bench, playing only 37 snaps and catching only two passes for 23 yards in eight games. The rookie reportedly had difficulty picking up the Broncos’ complex offense, but that looks like it’ll change this year with Emmanuel Sanders expected to see more time in the slot and Latimer picking up a bevy of extra snaps outside. Grade: I (Incomplete)

 Round 3, Pick 95: OT Michael Schofield (Michigan)

Latimer’s playing time was scarce, and then there’s Schofield, who didn’t suit up at all in a total redshirt season, meaning a second straight … Grade: I

 Round 5, Pick 156: LB Lamin Barrow (LSU)

Dressed for all 17 games with one start in the middle and finished with nine total tackles. Will be among the candidates to start inside this season in Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 D. Grade: C

 Round 6, Pick 207: C/G Matt Paradis (Boise State)

See Schofield, Michael. The Broncos are said to like his make-up and intangibles, but he will have to fight to earn a roster spot this summer. Grade: I

 Round 7, Pick 242: LB Corey Nelson (Oklahoma)

Like his fellow rookie LB Barrow, Nelson suited up for all 16 games and finished with 18 total tackles, primarily on special-teams coverage. Not bad at all for a seventh-rounder. Grade: C+

Overall

If not for Roby’s immediate impact, this group would’ve been next to invisible, and the inability of the second- and third-round picks to at least get on the field and show something last season is a little concerning. Latimer, though, has flashed the skills of a play-maker, and we’re going to bank on that shining through in the games that count sooner rather than later. The same goes – to a lesser degree – for Schofield, who will have a chance to challenge for the starting RT job on the Broncos’ reconstructed offensive line. For now, though, that’s all just potential. Talk about grading on a curve, Roby carries this group to a … Grade: C-