Draft season is just around the corner as the NFL turns the page on January and focuses squarely on the Super Bowl. The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams have beaten every opponent standing between them and the Vince Lombardi trophy, earning the right to play for a world title.
Unfortunately the Denver Broncos were not afforded that prestigious honor due to an overall uninspiring finish to the regular season and instead turn their attention to the Senior Bowl, a game that will be highly scouted this year due to the level of talented young men participating.
The Broncos have a number of picks and should be shoring up their team weaknesses in the upcoming draft. Here are a few names they should be keeping an eye on throughout this week and beyond.
Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The Broncos struggled mightily this year to generate significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks and with a division as loaded as the AFC West is, getting after the signal caller is essential.
Kingsley Enagbare is one such player who spent his career giving his opponent fits.
Boasting one of the largest wingspan at his position at the Senior Bowl weigh-ins, he has an exciting blend of length and explosion that he can utilize to beat linemen in the trenches. He has above average first step quickness and a nice array of pass rushing moves, allowing for versatility in his attack.
Enagbare is physically strong and can bull rush blockers into the quarterback’s lap. He has a tendency to be extremely disruptive and Denver needs more players that can create havoc in the backfield.
This is player that could easily spell Dre’Mont Jones as a rotational player and offer many of the same exciting traits. He could also be plugged in on obvious passing downs to harry the opposition.
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The lone Auburn attendee on Senior Bowl week is Roger McCreary but he may be one of the most exciting ones.
McCreary may be one of the more versatile corners in this draft class and that begins with his athleticism. There is a very good chance he will leap up draft boards when combine testing occurs given his natural, God-given ability.
He tends to excel in man coverage but is still able to be an effective playmaker in zone-coverage as well. His is a willing tackler and does so with efficiency.
McCreary isn’t a pure ball-hawk but attacks the ball in the air and is capable of coming down with it. With only six interceptions in his collegiate career he was much more apt to bat a ball down than snare it.
Likely a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, he would be able to immediately plug into the nickel spot that will be vacated by Bryce Callahan and Denver wouldn’t miss a beat. He posesses the ability to play outside as well so if an untimely injury were to occur then his depth would be invaluable.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Garett Bolles is the starting left tackle for the Denver Broncos and will remain so but the debate around grabbing a right tackle prospect in the draft has been hot. Trevor Penning is an absolute legitimate option to fill this need and could do so at a high level.
If you love a mauler in the run game than you will love watching Penning. He has great feet for a player of his size, 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, and is able to get out on the perimeter with relative ease. Toughness is something this guy does not lack and he is regularly putting defenders on the ground.
He anchors extremely well and has massive lower body strength and is impossible to move with a bull rush unless he is not positioned well.
What he lacks is lateral quickness and may struggle with aggressive inside moves and may get caught leaning and grabbing.
He has the potential to be an immediate plug-and-play guy if Bobby Massie is not brought back and can grow with an already young offensive line group.
Boye Mafe, OLB, Minnesota
Boye Mafe is a high-ceiling prospect that the Broncos need to be watching this week at the Senior Bowl.
In Mafe you will see another smooth athlete that has great burst in space. His ability to effectively produce in all areas of the game is impressive and he was asked to do a number of duties in his time at Minnesota whether that be getting after the quarterback or stopping running backs in the backfield. He had 20 tackles for loss in 2021, his best statistical showing by far.
Mafe has sufficient instinct and IQ but will need help honing that on the next level but his effort and tenacity are next-level. His motor never stops and he flies around the field giving maximum output. Expert coaching will be able to direct that energy into efficient play.
The Broncos are facing a number of question marks when it comes to determining the linebackers who will still be on this roster into next season. Mafe offers cheap depth at the position with potentially tremendous pay off. Not only that but he can help on a special teams unit that hasn’t been good for multiple years now.
