Pre-Combine First Round Draft Board

Draft season is heating up, and since there’s little else to discuss I’ve decided to share my Pre-Combine First Round Draft Board for the Broncos. I must emphasize it is VERY early in the draft preparation process, so many of the names I provide today will likely drop off the first round board by April 28th, and many new names will be added. In addition to the Scouting Combine there will be countless individual workouts and pre-draft visits that will impact prospects’ grades before the draft. Moreover, teams will use Free Agency to fill many of their immediate needs, which will also have a huge impact on their respective draft boards.

Obviously there’s a lot of guesswork involved here. This list might contain the name of the Broncos’ first selection in this year’s draft, but it’s also sure to include several names that we will look back and laugh at a couple months down the road. Some of these truants will find home, and a wish to hold onto, but others will be swept out through the crack beneath the door.

As always, I’ve identified and prioritized the Broncos’ various needs and then cross checked them against prospects at those positions to give you a few names to watch for at the Combine. I’ve left out many names that project as early first round picks, assuming at this point the Broncos will stay put and draft with their natural pick, #31.

WARNING: Shameless speculation to follow

1^st Round Prioritization:

Name	Position	Height	Weight	School	Remarks	Scouting Report
Jack Conklin	T	606	318	Michigan State	Could be a quality starter immediately at RT; Makes up for minor physical limitation with sound technique	Report
Taylor Decker	T	607	315	Ohio State	Strong and tough; He’ll be a fixture at RT for years	Report
Austin Johnson	NT	604	324	Penn State	Exceptional size and strength; Great production inside; Bad hand usage; Lets blockers into his frame; Doesn’t quit against double teams	Report
Sheldon Rankins	3-4 DE/NT	602	303	Louisville	Elite foot quickness; Powerful, violent hands; Short for a 5-tech; Small stature could cause him to fall	Report
Kevin Dodd	3-4 DE/OLB	605	280	Clemson	Big frame; Relentless competitor; Gets off blocks quickly; Productive pass rusher; Only one productive season	Report
Andrew Billings	NT/DE	602	300	Baylor	Elite power and weight-lifting background; Great burst for a big man; Struggles to change direction; Raw pass rusher; Only 21 years old	Report
Darron Lee	ILB	602	235	Ohio State	Quick to diagnose; Loose hips and quick feet; Rangy playmaker; Plus in man coverage; Lean for LB; Too many arm tackles; Misses tackles	Report
Cody Whitehair	G	604	309	Kansas State	4-year starter; Team captain; Short arms but big hands; Exceptional body control and core strength; “Safe” pick; All-Pro ceiling	Report
Shon Coleman	T	606	313	Auburn	Long and nasty; Inconsistent footwork; will turn 25 after missing two years with leukemia	Report
Jarran Reed	NT/DE	604	313	Alabama	Good frame; Elite run defender; No pass rush; Lacks foot quickness for one gap scheme	Report
Jonathan Bullard	3-4 DE	603	277	Florida	Quick and instinctive; Good initial pad level but gets taller as play progresses; Tends to sit on blocks if initial move fails	Report
Darian Thompson	FS	602	210	Boise State	Ballhawk; Physical, solid tackler; Lacks instincts and awareness in coverage; Undisciplined; Allowed several deep TDs	Report
Derrick Henry	RB	603	242	Alabama	Huge RB; Rare speed for size; Makes tacklers miss but doesn’t break them; Heavy workload; Tall, long-strider	Report
Ryan Kelly	C	604	297	Alabama	Great leader; 3-year starter at Alabama; Can challenge for a starting position right away	Report
Paxton Lynch	QB	607	245	Memphis	Big, athletic; Can escape pressure and extend plays; Misses too many reads/open WRs; Slow through progressions	Report

Again, this list is fluid, but I thought it would be fun to have some names to look for during the Underwear Olympics in Indianapolis next week.

Go Broncos.