The best available prospects for the Denver Broncos in day two of the draft

After the pick of Bradley Chubb, now the real fun begins, as the Denver Broncos have three more picks on the second day of the draft, all of which are in the top 100, meaning they should find future starters.

With the Broncos next pick only seven selections away, there’ll be some first-round level talents still available, here’s a preview of the best remaining players in the draft. 

For more options, check out our position rankings and position previews, which you can all find in our draft central page.

Some special backs remain

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn

Especially at the top of day two, being able to reach either Guice or Jones would be a really incredible get for the Broncos. Guice has some Marshawn Lynch-type qualities, in that he runs hard up the middle, has great quickness to the second level, and is a home-run threat as well. Selecting him would be a steal. 

Jones is more of a Jamaal Charles-type, who could be a game changer as a speed back in the NFL. Chubb or Johnson are more bell-cow runners.

The Broncos have a big need at running back and will be in a great position to take someone who can be an immediate contributor. 

The RB class is so deep, though, that the Broncos might opt to wait until the third round, where players like Kalen Ballage could still be available. 

Road graders in the trenches

Connor Williams, OT/G, Texas

Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP

James Daniels, OC, Iowa

There was a run on offensive lineman at the bottom half of the first round, but some very talented O-line prospects remain. Everyone on this list should go pretty early in round two, but any one of them would allow the Denver offense to breath a little easier in 2018.

Especially Hernandez seems to be a favorite of the Broncos. He’d bring nastiness to the line and deceptive athleticism that allows him to be a bull in the trenches, qualities that would be huge to have for Denver’s run game.

The more athletic Williams or Daniels profile nicely as well in Denver. Especially Williams, with his ability to play tackle or be a really athletic guard, would be a potential steal at that point of the draft.

Adding to the defense

Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

The Broncos are looking for inside linebackers, but there aren’t many great value picks right now on the board. There are, however, some really nice cornerbacks remaining, with Oliver and Jackson being the at the top of that list.

Both have the size and similar ball skills to replace Aqib Talib in the Broncos defense and restore an elite three-man corner rotation. It’s likely not the top priority for the team, as they like Tramaine Brock, but this could be too good of value to pass up.

Donte Jackson of LSU could be an under-the-radar pick at the position. Jackson is a burner, but he’s small and would be more of a slot corner. John Elway and company have shown in the past that they like drafting speed at the position, and Jackson certainly would fit.

Picking a corner would also mean the team doubles up on the defensive side of the ball, which would be a big upset.

Receiver help

D.J. Chark, WR/KR, LSU

Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

All the above-mentioned positions present better value than the receiver group. Though, with the WRs dropping a bit, there are still some pretty good players remaining here. All three wideouts on this list have great speed, could play in the slot, and be special teams contributors.

The problem is selecting Chark or Kirk might be a bit redundant with Carlos Henderson, who Denver took in day two only last year. Miller is more of a true slot wideout, with some nice ball skills and quickness. It’ll be telling what the organization thinks of Henderson if they do select one of these players.

In round three, the quality will drop off a bit, but there’ll still be some intriguing players for Denver. The most interesting names to keep an eye might be Dante Pettis or Daurice Fountain, the small school product from Northern Iowa. Both would be good selections with the second of the Broncos two third-round picks.

A couple dark horses

Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

After round one where they chose not to pull the trigger on Josh Rosen or Josh Allen, you’d think the Broncos aren’t dead-set on drafting a quarterback. However, Mason Rudolph has massive potential, too, though he’ll need some development. It would be surprising, but don’t count out the possibility of Denver selecting him.

After adding an outstanding outside pass rusher in Chubb, maybe Denver’s not done adding to their pass rushing arsenal. Hurst has the goods to be solid against the run and create penetration up the middle, restoring the front-three to being scary. His length isn’t ideal for the Broncos three-man front, but he’d be a nice pick that could really upgrade the line.

Less unexpected might be a tight end, and Goedert is a great talent who’s still available on day two. He could create a nice duo at the position with Jake Butt, while also offering some insurance for Butt’s injury return. If both work out, you could play a lot of two tight end sets, making it easier to play heavy sets on offense and run the ball out of them, exactly what Denver’s trying to do.