With the 77th, 83rd, and 96th overall picks in this year’s draft, the Broncos have more ammunition in the third round than just about anyone.
It’s a good round to have a lot of picks in as well because the plateau of second-round talent is so grand, a bunch of players that would go in Round 2 most years will be looking up at the Broncos at pick 77.
With that in mind, who are some of the biggest steals Denver could come away with?
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU (70th player overall, 9th OT)
The Broncos should be jumping for joy if they’re able to secure Lucas Niang in the third round.
Niang suffered a nasty hip injury that ended his season in October, which should further limit the mobility of a tackle that already struggles in that facet. This could stick Niang at right tackle in the NFL, but he’s still worth a high third-round pick.
He is much better than a third-round pick at tackle has any business being. If the hip checks out, he should be a plug n’ play starter at tackle. He’s strong, buries opposing defenders in the run game and has a nice, steady anchor in pass protection.
Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA (69th player overall, 10th CB)
The Broncos might already feel they’re set in the slot with Bryce Callahan, but Holmes is such a talented player they might not be able to resist.
Holmes was a five-star athlete coming out of high school for a reason, as he was able to stick with any receiver UCLA put him on, which forced him to play inside and outside, where he excelled at both. That versatility would be perfect for the Broncos, who need an outside cornerback now, but will need a slot cornerback in two seasons when Callahan’s contract expires.
What makes Holmes so intriguing is his world-class athleticism paired with his excellent football character, IQ, and work ethic. That work ethic and intelligence was put on display when he graduated from UCLA in just two and a half years. That’s incredibly impressive for a non-student athlete, let alone a player like Holmes.
Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech (57th player overall, 8th CB)
Holmes has a distinct advantage over Amik Robertson in terms of athleticism, but Robertson more than makes up the difference with special instincts and an aggressive, physical demeanor.
Watching Robertson, you would swear he can see two seconds into the future, with how impressive his instincts are and how quick his reaction time is. He’s also a great tackler who jumps at the opportunity to blow up a bubble screen in the backfield or make a tackle on a running back.
The lack of size and top-end speed are serious concerns and will probably keep him in the slot for his career, but Robertson checks every other box, making him well worth a third-round pick.
Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri (51st player overall, 5th DL)
Defensive line isn’t the most pressing need after the Broncos brought back Mike Purcell and Shelby Harris, and traded a seventh-round pick for Jurrell Casey, but Jordan Elliott would be a steal in Round 3.
Elliott is a country-strong, physical freak who controls the offensive line with his ability to anchor against the run game, and shoot upfield against the pass. He needs to develop his pass-rushing abilities quite a bit, but with Dre’Mont Jones, Shelby Harris, and Mike Purcell ahead of him on the depth chart at least for 2020, Elliott would be granted the time to develop those skills.
He’ll be a bonus in the run game from the moment he steps on the field. Few defensive linemen in this class were more disruptive to the run game than Elliott was in 2019.
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame (47th player overall, 8th WR)
Chase Claypool should probably be ranked even higher than 47th, considering he has one of the highest floors of any day two talent, and also has incredible athletic upside.
He almost looks more like a tight end, measuring 6’4” and weighing in at nearly 240 pounds, but he moves like a wide receiver with a 4.42 40-yard dash and one of the best verticals in the draft.
His rare size-speed combination makes him a dreamy fit opposite of Courtland Sutton that would allow Jerry Jeudy to play in the slot, which might just be his best fit at the next level. Claypool also offers the bonus of being an incredibly talented and more-than-willing special teamer, which is more valuable than you think.