The Denver Broncos have a number of needs that that are going to have to address in the 2017 NFL Draft. After a disappointing season that saw them lose seven of their final 12 games, in a number of heartbreaking ways, this team needs to find a way to bounce back.
Of course, the first problem on everyone’s mind, is how they can shore up their offensive line. After completely rebuilding the offensive line last year at this time, the Broncos are basically back to square one once again. Center Matt Paradis is the only sure thing on the entire front, and that’s only if he is able to return from two hip surgeries. Starting left tackle Russell Okung is gone, starting right tackle Donald Stephenson was abysmal and John Elway went and signed guard Ron Leary and tackle Menelik Watson. Sure, they would have loved to have done more, but there weren’t many options available in free agency. Expect them to take a long look at a few more offensive linemen in the draft.
The Broncos will also be evaluating a number of defensive linemen. With nose tackle Sylvester Williams departing in free agency, and the run defense taking a significant step backward, they could draft any number of defensive players up front. Again, this area was addressed in free agency, as they signed Domata Peko and Zach Kerr; but many feel more is needed.
Yet, there is one spot that could change this team’s fortunes very quickly, and give this team a much different look going into next season.
The Denver Broncos need a playmaker, or more specifically, an offensive playmaker. They need a player that is a threat to make a game-changing play every single time that they touch the football. It isn’t that this offense is completely void of talent, but how many true playmakers do they currently have on the offensive side of the ball?
The honest answer is probably just two.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas may drive fans crazy with his inconsistency, but the crowd at Mile High does still hold its collective breath every time he touches the football. We have seen him grab a bubble screen, break a tackle, and outrun the defense to the end zone more than once. In his seven-year career, he is averaging over 14 yards per catch, and has 52 touchdowns. While the drops, and the struggles to sometimes make even the most routine of plays is frustrating, Thomas is a game changer.
On the other side of the field, is the Broncos other current playmaker. Signed as a free agent in 2014, the rumors were that Emmanuel Sanders wouldn’t be consistent, and that he wasn’t tough enough. Those rumors couldn’t have been more incorrect. Sanders is absolutely fearless when attacking the football, and good luck keeping him off the field due to an injury. In his three seasons in Denver, he has missed just a single game, while racking up over 1,000 yards in each campaign.
Who are the next biggest threats after Thomas and Sanders? The cupboard gets a little thin in the playmaking department after those two. Running backs C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker are hard-nosed runners that look to wear defenses down, but they aren’t exactly big play material (not to mention Anderson’s injury history). You would be hard-pressed to come up with anyone else on this offense, that is capable of striking any significant fear into the heart of opposing defenses.
There are a few players in this year’s NFL Draft that could change the look of the Broncos attack immediately.
Broncos fans are very familiar with Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, who grew up in the Denver area while his father was a franchise favorite. McCaffrey is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, and is just as comfortable taking a handoff as he is catching a pass or returning a kick. McCaffrey isn’t the only playmaker in this draft.
Washington wide receiver John Ross broke the combine record when he ran a 4.22 40-yard dash, and he is more than just a speed guy. Ross is a very capable wide receiver, that is a good route runner, and could be a very dangerous mismatch in the slot. Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel is always a threat to score, as evidenced by the seven touchdowns that he scored in his final season. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is very capable of stretching the field, and would give the Broncos offense another big play weapon.
The Broncos have a number of needs that need to be addressed in this year’s NFL Draft. They need to look for some talent on the offensive line. They need to get some depth in a few positions on their defense.
Yet, the Broncos could really change the look of this team with a single pick. A big-play threat could transform an offensive unit that sorely needs it.