How does adding a Watt to the already elite Denver Broncos defense sound Broncos fans? Unfortunately, we’re not talking J.J., we’re talking about his NFL-bound brother T.J., the Wisconsin linebacker who recorded 53 tackles, 11.5 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in his 2016 junior season with the Badgers.
According to NFL.com, T.J. is set to visit John Elway and the Broncos on April 18 after his workouts with the Saints, Dolphins and 49ers. He’s expressed willingness to adopt a new position in the NFL that suits his size more, and has recently been performing position-specific workouts for different NFL teams.
On top of the high-pressure workouts in front of team representatives, T.J. is also undergoing intensely competitive workouts with J.J. in his free time.
“(J.J.)’s completely 100 percent and he’s got no restrictions at all. We’re working out, we’re competing, we find ways to see who jumps higher, who jumps farther, who runs faster, who lifts more,” Watt said. “It’s really fun to finally have an offseason where I’m not coming back and forth from school on the weekends to work out with him.”
The Broncos obviously have interest, but the question is where they would draft him. They own the 20th pick in the upcoming draft, and Watt should still be available. Charlie Casserly of NFL.com has Watt coming off of the board earliest, but he still doesn’t have him being drafted until the 22nd pick by the Miami Dolphins.
In order to take Watt, the Broncos would either have to wait to draft positions of need like offensive tackle and tight end, or they would have to make some moves in order to obtain an additional pick to accommodate T.J. There have been rumblings about the Broncos making a trade involving picks with the Browns, but in that scenario the Broncos would give up their only first-round pick and receive a second and a third-rounder from Cleveland.
There are always unforeseen trades that happen on or near draft day, so the Broncos have some time to position themselves if they are impressed by T.J.