Sometimes NFL prospects slip up. As a corollary, sometimes they slide in the NFL Draft. When they do, the Denver Broncos have shown in recent years that they are more than happy to pick them up.
Shane Ray and Bradley Roby immediately come to mind. In 2014, Roby pleaded guilty in Columbus, Ohio to physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A few days before the 2015 NFL Draft, Ray was cited for possession of marijuana.
Assuming they did partake, a little puff, puff was not enough for the Broncos to pass on either of these two prospects, and it paid dividends on the defensive side of the ball.
The 2017 draft could present a similar opportunity for the Broncos. If it does, they should seize it.
Last week, it came out that former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine, submitting a diluted test. Since that revelation, his draft stock has allegedly “dropped dramatically.”
If he’s available at 20, I’m taking Foster if I’m the Denver Broncos. What can I say? I love a good Reuben; and Foster is quite good.
In my opinion, the Broncos need another starting inside linebacker. Brandon Marshall is fine, but I think they need an upgrade over Todd Davis.
Foster is fast, attacks the ball and is a beastly hitter. He has the nastiness that has marked John Elway‘s offseason moves. Last season, the Broncos were exploited, by receiving tight ends. Foster is good in coverage, and could finally fill the hole the Denver defense has had since Danny Trevathan departed for the Chicago Bears.
Foster isn’t the only prospect that could slip to the Broncos at 20 either.
On Monday, it was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Jabril Peppers out of Michigan also failed a drug test at the combine, again for a diluted sample.
Peppers is another intriguing possibility for the Broncos. He’s listed as a safety, which is not a need for the Broncos. He can play corner. Again, not a need. He can also play linebacker, though he’s a little small (212 pounds). He might need to bulk up some, but this might be the guy to cover tight ends for the Broncos.
Peppers’ versatility does not end there either. He can return punts and kicks. He could also be used on offense, as he has experience running and receiving as a Wildcat quarterback.
In a word, Peppers is a playmaker. The Broncos could use another playmaker.
Both Foster and Peppers could conceivably fall to the Broncos. If they do, I would take either in a heartbeat.
Listen, I know the Broncos need a left tackle, but Elway didn’t sound too high on the tackle prospects when he spoke to the media on Monday. I know people are enamored with the thought of the team drafting Christian McCaffrey, I just can’t see him being there at 20 and don’t think the Broncos should surrender a king’s ransom to move up and get him.
In the first round especially, Elway is a “best player available” kind of guy. If either Foster or Peppers are available at 20, they will likely be the best player available. Elway should stick to his guns.
Now, for me, overlooking character concerns isn’t an all-inclusive policy. Personally, I wouldn’t touch Joe Mixon. Along the same lines, in lieu of a recent report that he allegedly hit a woman, Florida’s Caleb Brantley would no longer have a place on my draft board.
In my eyes, Mixon and Brantley’s issues are far different situations than that of Foster and Peppers, or even Ray or Roby’s. Violence against a woman crosses a line for me. A failed drug test, a diluted sample, even a little “wacky tobaccy,” is far easier to forgive.
This is a pivotal draft for the Denver Broncos. Sure, I’d love for the Broncos to do a little more on offense. Teams need to address their weaknesses. That being said, there is value to upgrading your strengths as well. A moment of weakness from both Foster and Peppers may provide the Broncos the opportunity to do just that.