Five options for the Denver Broncos in the first round

 

It’s hard to imagine that after winning a Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos would require so much help in the offseason, and yet, here we are.

Vice president of football operations John Elway has already addressed the elephant in the room with the signing of pro-bowl offensive lineman Russell Okung, but, there is so much more that needs to be done to get back Denver to the promise land in 2016. Looking back at the players that decided to jump ship after Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset is staggering: Brock Osweiler, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan, and David Bruton just to name a few.

Now, I understand free agency and why players would want to leave the comfort of their homes to chase the all mighty dollar; it’s human nature to get paid as much as humanly possible. A month has come and gone with Denver losing more than its gaining in the free agency game.

That’s where the 2016 NFL draft comes into play. Young kids with raw talent willing to play for anybody who will let them see the field. April 28th is right around the corner it might be the best opportunity to find that diamond in the rough. Here are five potential players Denver could take in the first round to help fill these voids.

QB Connor Cook: Michigan State University

Let’s just go ahead and get this out of the way; Denver needs a quarterback.

Connor Cook is a four-year senior who played in the pro-style offense at MSU and has thrived in the pocket, ability that head coach Gary Kubiak adores. Standing at 6’4” and being compared to a former Spartan, Kirk Cousins, Cook should be on the board at 31 when Roger Goodell calls Denver to the lectern.

Throwing for just under 10,000 total yards with a 71-22 TD-INT ratio with his time as a Spartan, Cook would be a great fit for the Mile High crew come training camp. He might not be the best choice, but he will be the safest choice.

RB Kenneth Dixon: Louisiana Tech

With all the big names at running back being thrown around such as Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry, senior power runner Kenneth Dixon will be there at 31, heck, he might be there at 63.

Dixon declared himself eligible for this year’s draft after accomplishing something extraordinary; leaving college as the NCAA career touchdown leader. Dixon also ended his time as a Bulldog 4483 rushing yards and 969 receiving yards.

At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds, this duel-threat would fit right in with the likes of C.J. Anderson.

ILB Kentrell Brothers: University of Missouri

I am a huge believer in brotherhood and continuity in the locker room; it’s where championships are formed. What better place for Kentrell Brothers to end up than with his former teammate and friend Shane Ray?

Brothers is a 6-foot, 245-pound inside linebacker who has the talent and charisma to play all over the field, registering double-digit tackles in 11 of the 12 games in 2015. The most impressive of all, Brothers led the nation in tackles per game with 12.7.

Moving from at 4-3 to a 3-4 could prove to be problematic but with the help of Wade Phillips, Brothers could shine.

DE Kevin Dodd: Clemson

Everybody is talking about the talent of Shaq Lawson and his ability to rush the passer, but nobody seems to be talking about the second best defensive end on that impressive Tiger line, Kevin Dodd.

Dodd was second on the team with 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 total sacks in 2015, trailing only Lawson. A standout end with the sheer talent to thrive on arguably the best D-line in Football, having this 6-foot-5, 280-pound junior learn from such players as Von Miller and future hall of famer DeMarcus Ware could make Dodd the steal of the draft if taken at 31. Dodd himself has said he is “physically and mentally ready for the next challenge.”

S Jalen Mills: Louisiana State University

LSU seems to breed defensive backs that shine in today’s NFL, in fact, they have had a defensive back drafted in eight of the past nine years; senior Jalen Mills will make that nine of 10.

Starting in all 39 games he played for the Tigers, Mills is a lean, fast safety who can play nickel and help on special teams when needed. Leading LSU in tackles in 2015, Mills will fit right into a Wade Phillips defense and could improve help the “no fly zone” immediately.

Running a 4.6 40-yard dash and having an astonishing 37-inch vertical leap, Mills is the perfect replacement for Shiloh Keo as a depth piece in the safety corps.