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In our last position rankings, we graded every position group in the 2018 NFL Draft. After ranking the top-200 prospects in the entire draft in our final big board update, we’re also updating each position group with a brief description.
You’ll still find the grades for each position as well, plus a link for our full breakdown of each of the Denver Broncos need areas in the descriptions below.
Let’s dig in.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Grade: B+
This is a really deep quarterback class at the top, with six potential selections in the first round—which would match John Elway’s historic 1983 draft. For that to happen, there will admittedly have to be a few reaches, which could very easily occur, given that the depth of this class after the top six is quite poor.
We graded every trait for the top six QBs here and previewed the class here.
1. Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
3. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
5. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
6. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
7. Logan Woodside, QB, Toledo
8. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
9. Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
10. Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
Names to know:
Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
Kurt Benkert, QB, Virginia
Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis
J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
Nic Shimonek, QB, Texas Tech
RUNNING BACKS
Grade: A
It might not be at the level of the 2017 class of running backs, which was truly special, but it’s really not that far off. The top four feel like good bets to go in the top 40 picks, while the top seven seem like safe bets to go in the second round or higher.
The depth here is off the charts as well, as there are 20 RBs in our top 200.
We previewed the class here.
1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
2. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
3. Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
4. Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
5. Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
6. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
7. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
8. Mark Walton, RB, Miami
9. Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
10. Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
Names to know:
Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa
Nyheim Hines, RB/KR, North Carolina State
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
Ito Smith, RB, Southern Mississippi
WIDE RECEIVERS
Grade: C
We were spoiled the past few years with some really spectacular wideout groups; not so much this year. The issue is primarily at the top, where there aren’t any clear-cut future No. 1 NFL receivers. That really knocks the class.
There are, however, several future starters who could make their mark and have some enticing upside. Everyone in the top 10 profiles to go in the top three rounds, and given the thirst for receivers in the NFL, some are bound to get overdrafted.
We previewed the best options for the Broncos here.
1. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
2. D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
3. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
4. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
5. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
6. D.J. Chark, WR/KR, LSU
7. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
8. Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State
9. Simmie Cobbs Jr., WR, Indiana
10. Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
Names to know:
Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA
Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State
Tre’Quan Smith, WR, UCF
Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
TIGHT ENDS
Grade: D+
This tight end group is one of the weakest of the entire draft and was really hurt by some early entries a year ago—which was a spectacular class at the position.
At the top, only Goedert is worthy of a top-50 selection, and the depth of the class is dreadful, which is why the grade is so low. However, the top five at the position are promising and could be turned into average starters at some point in their careers.
We previewed the best options for the Broncos at TE here, focusing specifically on those top five guys. Thomas and Akins are intriguing in the bottom half of our rankings and impressed at the Senior Bowl. They could be underrated gems in a really shallow group.
1. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
2. Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
3. Jaylen Samuels, H-back, North Carolina State
4. Mark Andrews, WR/TE, Oklahoma
5. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
6. Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
7. Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
8. Jordan Akins, TE, UCF
9. Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan
10. Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford
Names to know:
Christopher Herndon IV, TE, Miami
Will Dissly, TE, Washington
Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
Marcus Baugh, TE, Ohio State
Jordan Thomas, TE, Mississippi State
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Grade: C
This is another underwhelming class, though the depth isn’t bad. There are just lots of knocks on the top guys, who are almost guaranteed to be over-drafted. Williams is the most intriguing here, as he might be undervalued after a down year where he was affected by injuries.
After the top four, the depth is nice, with 14 OTs ranked in our top 200.
We previewed the position here.
1. Connor Williams, OT, Texas
2. Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
3. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
4. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
5. Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
6. Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
7. Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia
8. Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
9. Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
10. Brian O’Neil, OT, Pittsburgh
Names to know:
Will Richardson, RT, NC State
Geron Christian, OT, Louisville
Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU
Greg Senat, RT, Wagner
Dalton Risner, RT, Kansas State
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Grade: A-
This is a really extraordinary class with six potential first-round picks. Everyone in top 10 has the talent to become a starter in the pros, and 15 are ranked in our top 200, most of which in the top 150.
Check out our preview of the best options at the position for the Broncos here.
1. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
2. James Daniels, OC, Iowa
3. Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
4. Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
5. Billy Price, OC/G, Ohio State
6. Frank Ragnow, OC/G, Arkansas
7. Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
8. Austin Corbett, OT/C, Nevada
9. Colby Gossett, OG, Appalachian State
10. Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
Names to know:
Mason Cole, OT/C, Michigan
Bradley Bozeman, OC, Alabama
Coleman Shelton, OC, Washington
K.C. McDermott, OT/G, Miami
Sean Welsh, OG, Iowa
DEFENSE
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Grade: B+
This is a fun class with lots of depth, with 21 prospects in our top 200. It’s not spectacular at the top, as everyone has some minor question marks. The group falls off a bit after the first four, which is why the grade isn’t higher here.
This is the only position group with the safeties that we didn’t preview, as it doesn’t feel like a pressing need for Denver. However, if the Broncos were to trade down, both Vea and Bryan might be intriguing picks.
Taking advantage of the depth of the class in the later rounds would be wise.
1. Vita Vea, DT, Washington
2. Taven Bryan, DL, Florida
3. Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
4. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
5. Tim Settle, NT, Virginia Tech
6. Harrison Phillips, DL, Stanford
7. Rasheem Green, DL, USC
8. Justin Jones, DT, North Carolina State
9. Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
10. Andrew Brown, DL, Virginia
Names to know:
Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State
Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia
Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Kentavius Street, DL, North Carolina State
Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio State
EDGE RUSHERS
Grade: B
The depth here is outstanding with 25 edge rushers in our top 200. Given how the Broncos are trying to add depth to the position, this would be a group to tap into, even if they wait until day three.
For a premium position, there’s a lot of uncertainty, as too many of the edge rushers are gambles on upside rather than sure-fire contributors early in their NFL careers.
We previewed the class here.
1. Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
2. Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
3. Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
4. Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
5. Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State
6. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB/EDGE, Oklahoma
7. Lorenzo Carter, EDGE, Georgia
8. Hercules Mata’afa, EDGE, Washington State
9. Jeff Holland, EDGE, Auburn
10. Josh Sweat, EDGE, Florida State
Names to know:
Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Kansas
Trevon Young, EDGE, Louisville
Breeland Speaks, DE, Ole Miss
Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, EDGE, Toledo
Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest
OFF-BALL LINEBACKERS
Grade: A-
Man, are the positions in the front seven of this draft deep, as the linebackers account for another 21 prospects in our top 200. The top four are really talented, too, and should be taken in the first round, while the top seven or so are bound to go in the first two rounds.
When you combine talent at the top like that and have that type of depth, it makes for a pretty special class.
The Broncos sound very interested in upgrading their interior linebacking core and adding athleticism to the position. This group is bound to have lots of options for Denver to do so; we previewed the class here.
1. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
2. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
3. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
4. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
5. Matthew Thomas, LB, Florida State
6. Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC
7. Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
8. Genard Avery, ILB, Memphis
9. Fred Warner, LB, Brigham Young
10. Mike McCray, LB, Michigan
Names to know:
Jerome Baker, WLB, Ohio State
Dorian O’Daniel, LB, Clemson
Shaquem Griffin, WLB, UCF
Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa
Skai Moore, WLB, South Carolina
CORNERBACKS
Grade: A+
This is the headliner class of the 2018 draft, with tons of talent at the top and lots of depth. It’s been interesting to see the shift in college football, as a few years ago the college ranks were producing tons of receivers, now the corners have been the richer position, which is a natural counter to handling all those wideouts.
The depth here is real, with 23 players in our top 200 and the top seven should all warrant picks in the top 50. There are lots of immediate starters and plenty of potential subpackage players to be had.
Simply put, if you take a cornerback in this year’s draft, regardless of what round you do so, you’re bound to be happy with the selection.
Here’s our preview of the class, with the best options for the Broncos.
1. Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
2. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
3. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
4. Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
5. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
6. Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
7. Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
8. Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
9. Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
10. Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama
Names to know:
Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
Holton Hill, CB, Texas
Deatrick Nichols Jr., CB, South Florida
Kevin Tolliver II, CB, LSU
M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina
SAFETIES
Grade: C+
Some feel this class of safeties is even better than the cornerbacks, that seems rich to me. The nice thing about this group is that there are lots of versatile safeties. The type of versatility that should really appeal to the NFL, with kids who can play in the box or even be shifted out to cover the slot. Finding defenders who can do both is at a real premium in today’s NFL.
The one knock is that there isn’t great depth, and outside of the top two, there aren’t too many elite talents who are guaranteed to be starters on a play-by-play basis.
The Broncos already have a versatile safety in Justin Simmons and just added another in Su’a Cravens, which is why we didn’t preview the class, but it’s an intriguing group.
1. Derwin James, DB, Florida State
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS/CB, Alabama
3. Ronnie Harrison, SS, Alabama
4. Jessie Bates, FS, Wake Forest
5. Justin Reid, S, Stanford
6. Marcus Allen, FS, Penn State
7. Kyzir White, S, West Virginia
8. Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech
9. DeShon Elliott, S, Texas
10. Dane Cruikshank, S, Arizona
Names to know:
Quin Blanding, FS, Virginia
Armani Watts, FS, Texas A&M
Van Smith, S, Clemson
Godwin Igwebuike, FS, Northwestern
Jordan Whitehead, FS, Pittsburgh