Here's how the Broncos' three third-round picks will fit

DENVER — One starter, one rotational player and one developmental player.

If you take a 35,000-foot view of the three players the Broncos selected in the third round Friday night, that’s what appears to be in line for them as rookies.

But even the one who could have the clearest path to the starting lineup will still have to compete for the job. The one who could be a rotational player might find himself in a role that equal to being a starter. And the one who looks to be more of a long-term project possesses an array of pass-rush moves that could give him an elite skill set if he develops.

CB MICHAEL OJEMUDIA, IOWA, NO. 77

Ojemudia saw plenty of work in zone coverage in Iowa, which should translate well. How quickly he adapts to the speed of the game will determine whether he can earn the No. 3 spot in the cornerback rotation behind projected starters A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan.

“He showed good instincts. He had a good feel for the game. He runs well,” said Broncos coach Vic Fangio. “He’s got some length. Good tackler. I just like the way he played the game in all areas of his job.”

Last year, Ojemudia held opposing quarterbacks to a 55.6 passer rating on plays when he was targeted, according to the data compiled by ProFootballFocus.com. He gave up one touchdown and finished with three interceptions.

At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds and with range that he showed in coverage the last four seasons, Ojemudia could have a future in a hybrid role similar to the one Will Parks had last year, working at safety while moving into the slot to handle coverage on some snaps.

Ojemudia’s competition to be the Broncos’ fifth or sixth defensive back will include De’Vante Bausby, Duke Dawson, Isaac Yiadom, Davontae Harris and Shakial Taylor. His familiarity with zone concepts and his length and range could give him an advantage.

And being a fifth defensive back would effectively make Ojemudia a first-teamer.

CENTER LLOYD CUSHENBERRY III, LSU, NO. 83

General manager John Elway said that the Broncos felt their top priority heading into the third round was a cornerback. But right behind that was center, and when Cushenberry was available six picks after the Broncos added Ojemudia, they pounced.

Cushenberry has a clear path to the starting lineup. The two centers on the Broncos’ roster, Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann, have a combined four starts between them — all for Schlottmann, and all at guard.

It also helps that Cushenberry spent last year in a complex offense at LSU that put the onus on him to handle interior pass rushers in one-on-one situations. That led to some struggles, but he bounced back well and by Senior Bowl week was able to play first-round pick Javon Kinlaw to a stalemate in a slew of pass-protection drills.

“We had to deal with a lot, being in so much five-man [protection],” Cushenberry said, referring to the formations that often left LSU’s linemen without any chipping help from running backs or tight ends. “We had to deal with a lot of different blitzes and had to pick them up on the fly most of the time.

“I know in the NFL it’s not as much five-man pro, so I feel like just having that year in the NFL-style system with [then-offensive coordinator Joe] Brady has helped me a lot.”

“He’s got the license to go in there and compete and win the job if he can, and we’ll see how he develops,” Fangio said. “But we do like his ability, his potential, the play he put on tape at LSU.”

A Dalton Risner-Cushenberry-Graham Glasgow interior offensive line shapes up as the Broncos’ best interior trio since they utilized Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis to flank Matt Paradis in 2015, when the Broncos won Super Bowl 50.

DL McTELVIN AGIM, ARKANSAS, NO. 95

Agim’s strength is in the pass rush; Pro Football Focus calculated that he tallied 18 hurries during his senior season. And while he showed that skill in flashes during his time as Arkansas, it was in January during practices for the East-West Shrine Bowl that he found some more consistency. He did so well that he earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl the following week.

The 309-pounder saw some work at nose tackle at Arkansas, but his size would project to being a 3-technique in the Broncos’ scheme.

Fangio described Agim as “a guy that needs developing,” so this year is likely to be about growing into a larger role.

Agim’s first task is to find a spot on the game-day active roster. Typically the Broncos activate five defensive linemen. Jurrell Casey, Mike Purcell, Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones are the heavy favorites to handle the first four spots in the D-line rotation.

That leaves Agim to battle with DeMarcus Walker, another Day 2 pick (from 2017), Jonathan Harris, Joel Heath, Kyle Peko, Jay-Tee Tiuli and Deyon Sizer for that last jersey on game day.

“He’ll just start of being one of the guys there and we’ll see how he develops and where exactly he could fit in,” Fangio said. “He’s not a complete player at this point, obviously, but we do like some of the tools that he has and the potential that he has.”