1. Karl Joseph, West Virginia

Experience: Senior

Height/Weight: 5-10/205

Projected Round: 2-3

2015 Stats: 4 games; 20 tackles; 2 tackles for loss; 5 interceptions; 1 sack; 1 forced fumble

Coming out of West Virginia, Karl Joseph is about as close to a second coming as T.J. Ward as is possible. Not only having a similar stature as Ward (Ward is 5-10/200), Joseph has a very similar playing type as Ward — a punisher.

Just as Ward, Joseph loves contact, is very physical, hits hard and is very tough. There is even a chance that Joseph can develop to be an even better player than Ward because he possesses more all-around abilities. Where Ward and Joseph both are punishing players in the running game, Joseph is also very good in the passing game.

Before tearing his ACL his senior season, Joseph lead the nation with 5 interceptions in just four games. Averaging over one interception per game, even in just a four game span, is all-world. This shows that he is not just a good cover safety, but he is a playmaker with great awareness.

Joseph’s impressive resume goes way deeper than just his impressive four games his senior year. Joseph was a full-time starter his freshman, sophomore and junior season, even being named West Virginia’s defensive player of the year his freshman season when he racked up 104 tackles.

Along with all of that, Joseph is great in the locker room with his leadership skills as a captain of the team. He also possesses an extremely high football IQ that his coaches and teammates rave about.

Teams are still wary about his ACL injury that occurred this past October as well as his below average size. Joseph can play a bit smarter at times to avoid being flagged for illegal hits, just as T.J. Ward, and can improve his open field tackling.

Since the Broncos do not have a major need for great safeties in the draft, taking Joseph in the early rounds may not be worth it as they have more prominent needs to address. However, by adding Joseph the Broncos would not only get a great backup safety for next year, but a potential all-pro starter for many years to come.