In what is arguably the best time of the football calendar year, draft season is now fully upon us.
With the 2024 NFL Draft just eight days away, Broncos Country is buzzing with excitement to learn who the newest members of the Denver Broncos will be. This is an important draft for the franchise, as they are in a position to kick-start their rebuild with exciting young talent.
Understandably, the majority of media attention has been spent deciphering what Denver will do at No. 12 overall.
However, it is important to remember that the draft is far bigger than just one round, as the Broncos will need multiple contributors from this class if they hope to turn things around. Luckily, this is one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, as there are plenty of Day 3 prospects who could develop into solid pieces for Denver.
Today, let’s take a look at six under-the-radar draft prospects on the defensive side of the ball that the Denver Broncos could target in the later rounds of the draft.
Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
Measurables: 6’2″; 329 pounds; 4.63 RAS score; 24 years old
2023 Stats: 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one pass defended
Draft Projection: Rounds 3-5
If there is one position group that the Denver Broncos must add to in the draft, it’s the defensive line. Outside of Zach Allen, the D-line has no standout pass rushers and would constantly get pushed back in the run game.
Given this, the Broncos would be smart to add someone with both size and pass-rush upside to this group, and there may not be many better options in the draft than Northern Iowa’s Khristian Boyd.
Positives
- Arguably the perfect size for the nose tackle position
- Big enough, at 329 pounds, to clog up running lanes
- Not too tall, at 6-foot-2, making it is easier for him to maintain leverage
- Is quite explosive for his size.
- Possesses a quick first step that he uses to penetrate gaps as a pass rusher and run defender
- Great upper-body strength that he utilizes in his bull-rush
- 38 bench press reps at the combine
- Plays the game with a violent mindset and high motor
- Alignment versatile, can line up as a 0/1 tech and a 3 tech
Negatives
- Has a noticeable lack of arm length, meaning there is less margin of error when going against bigger centers and guards
- Measured with 31.88-inch arms at his pro day
- Struggles against double teams despite his great size
- Plays the game like a 3-tech despite having the size of a 0/1 tech
- Could benefit from a bigger arsenal of pass rush moves and counters
- Not a great athlete laterally
- Struggled with agility testing at the Combine
Overall: While Texas’s T’Vondre Sweat gets the majority of the love in this class as a nose tackle with pass-rush upside, Khristian Boyd deserves more hype for boasting his potential to be a three-down player. He has a great blend of size and explosiveness and can be a true disruptor as a pass rusher while having the ability to play the run.
However, his lack of length will make it difficult for him to play the game like a true nose tackle and take on double teams. Nevertheless, his upside makes him a worthy target for Denver in the fourth or fifth round. With his play style, he can line up at multiple spots and quickly contribute to the Denve rBroncos’ rotation.
Fabien Lovett, DT, Florida State
Measurables: 6’3”; 316 lbs; 6.87 RAS score; 24 years old
2023 Stats: 22 tackles, one sack, three passes defended
Draft Projection: Rounds 4-5
While it would be a nice luxury to get a defensive tackle with pass-rush upside, a traditional nose tackle that can suffocate running lanes and be stout at the line of scrimmage would do wonders for the Denver Broncos’ defense. For this, Denver should look no further than Fabian Lovett from Florida State, who is one of the best pure run defenders in the entire draft.
Positives
- Extremely wide frame with a thick lower body and a built-upper body
- Has 35.5-inch arms and knows how to use his hands to maintain leverage in gaps
- Absorbs double teams with ease
- Stays disciplined in his gap and helps create rushing opportunities for other interior defenders
- Credited as one of the top leaders of the Seminole defense
Negatives
- Provides little-to-no pass-rush upside, will strictly be a two-down player at the next level
- Has the arm length and power to be a good bull-rusher, but lack of athleticism will always limit him here
- Extremely underwhelming first step
- Stiff-hipped athlete with poor lateral agility and explosiveness,
- Will not have many chase-down tackles from the backside
Overall: Lovett is a prototypical nose tackle with an NFL body that could start for the Broncos right away. He will not impact the stat sheet in many ways, as he is limited as an athlete and pass rusher.
However, his position is often the unsung hero of the defensive line, as the ability to absorb double teams and clog running lanes opens up countless opportunities for the defenders around him. He is also given plenty of credit for his leadership on the Florida State defense, which is something Sean Payton has been said to value highly. In the midst of a rebuild, Lovett would be a quality building block for Denver that can be had early on Day 3.
Brennan Jackson, EDGE, Washington State
Measurables: 6’3”; 264 lbs; 8.97 RAS score; 23 years old
2023 Stats: 57 tackles, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble
Draft Projection: Rounds 4-5
As is the case with the defensive tackle position, the Broncos desperately need more size out of their edge rusher group. With Drew Sanders switching from linebacker, the average weight in the Broncos edge group is 243 pounds, as players such as Nik Bonitto and Baron Browning are more pass-rush specialists. Brennan Jackson from Washington State would be a great late-round target who can set the edge and add some mass to the room.
Positives
- Has legitimate size and power
- High motor player, always around the ball and will finish the play even if his initial move doesn’t work
- Knows how to use his hands as a pass rusher and knock offensive linemen off-balance
- Is able to set the edge in the run game and hold strong at the point of contact
Negatives
- Not a twitchy athlete, isnt going to win as a pass rusher with explosiveness
- Limited bend, does not have the body flexibility to get low to the ground without falling
- Does not have outstanding length, which will lead to struggles against longer-armed tackles
- Would benefit from a better pass rush plan with more counters
Overall: Jackson’s size and power profile as an edge rusher makes him a really enticing target for the Broncos on Day 3.
Jackson can be a valuable rotator on running downs, as he showcases the ability to set the edge in the run game and force the runner back inside. He will not ever be super flashy as a pass rusher, as he is more of an effort rusher than a player who wins with pure technique and finesse. However, Broncos’ EDGE Johnathon Cooper was a player who saw immediate reps due to his high motor and ability to contribute on running downs. Jackson could follow a similar career path as a rookie as he works to develop his pass rush moves further.
Myles Cole, EDGE, Texas Tech
Measurables: 6’6”; 278 lbs; 9.96 RAS score; 23 years old
2023 Stats: 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one pass defended
Draft Projection: Rounds 5-7
Similar to Jackson, Myles Cole from Texas Tech is another bigger option at edge rusher that could be had in the later rounds. Like many others on this list, Cole is a sixth-year senior that has loads of untapped potential as he transitions to the next level. He is absolutely massive, at 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds, and has extremely long arms, making him a great fit to add to the Denver Broncos EDGE group.
Positives
- Excellent size and length with a 7-foot-3 wingspan
- Athleticism pops on tape, has a fast get off and the long strides to keep up with players in pursuit
- Does a great job of setting the edge, is able to hold his outside containment and still make plays if the runner cuts inside
- Exactly what Denver should be looking for to pair with their current edge room.
- True disruptor in the run game
Negatives
- Fairly underdeveloped as a pass rusher
- Lacks a pass-rush plan and doesn’t appear to have many counters when his initial move fails
- Can sometimes play too high and get out-leveraged
- Slight tweener-build, as he may be better suited to bulk up and move inside depending on the scheme
- Another older prospect who spent six seasons in college
Overall: Cole is a moldable ball of clay that has the potential to be a great addition to the Denver Broncos defense. He has some of the longest arms ever recorded at the position that he can use to set the edge and be a disruptor in the run game. He would require patience from Broncos Country and the team’s coaching staff, as he still has a long way to go as a pass rusher. However, he has the athleticism and motor to eventually become a key contributor on passing downs.
Not only could Cole’s run defense earn him snaps on early downs, but his disruptive play style would garner attention and open up pass-rush opportunities for other rushers on the team.
Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State
Measurables: 5’11”; 190 lbs; 9.87 RAS score; 22 years old
2023 Stats: 25 tackles, three interceptions (one pick-six), three passes defended
Draft Projection: Rounds 4-6
George Paton mentioned in the Denver Broncos’ pre-draft presser that the team is “always looking for corners.” With the team trading two draft picks to draft Riley Moss in the 2023 Draft, as well as the signing of Levi Wallace, they could very well wait until Day 3 to address the position. In this range, Jarrian Jones is one of the most fun options projected to be available.
Positives
- Good athlete with elite burst once he identifies where he is going
- Had excellent testing numbers with elite ratings in speed and explosiveness
- Versatile player who has the quick feet to play man and the instincts to play zone
- Also has inside/outside versatility.
- He spent most of his career outside and successfully transitioned to the slot in 2023.
- A feisty competitor who is extremely physical in the run game
- A willing tackler, and knows how to read and predict running lanes
- Has a nose for the ball and was a true playmaker in 2023, with three interceptions and a forced fumble.
Negatives
- Lean frame with short arms
- Can struggle against quicker receivers who force him to suddenly change direction, as he does not have the most fluid hips for a corner
- While the processing isn’t bad, he is sometimes late to anticipate routes
- Suffers from a lot of wasted steps in his backpedal
- Did not always show his elite testing speed on tape, as he was beaten vertically several times and could not recover against receivers with longer strides
Overall: Jones’s athleticism, combined with his fiery competitiveness, makes him extremely easy to like on tape. He is exactly the kind of talent the Denver Broncos should be looking for at this point in the draft, as he has the speed and explosiveness to immediately contribute on special teams and the versatility to see defensive snaps if needed.
Jones’s play style can easily result in a Ja’Quan McMillian-type of development arc, as it may take a couple of years for him to catch up to NFL processing in coverage. Nevertheless, there is a lot to like about Jones, and he would be a very solid developmental option for the Broncos later in the draft.
Ryan Watts III, CB/S, Texas
Measurables: 6’3″; 208 lbs; 9.81 RAS score; 22 years old
2023 Stats: 38 tackles, zero interceptions, three passes defended
Draft Projection: Rounds 6-7
With the release of superstar safety Justin Simmons, the Denver Broncos would be wise to add at least one additional body to the group. P.J. Locke and free agent acquisition Brandon Jones are set to be the starters, but there is much uncertainty behind them, as Caden Sterns is coming off his second major injury and both JL Skinner and Dellarin Turner-Yell have yet to prove they are viable options.
Should they turn to the draft for safety help, Texas’s Ryan Watts III athletic profile makes him an intriguing developmental option in the later rounds.
Positives
- Played corner in college, but fits the profile of a safety
- Transitioned to safety at the Shrine Bowl
- Much more comfortable in zone than man
- Nice tall frame with really long arms
- Tested extremely well at the combine and shows off the speed to have dynamic range at safety
- Able to utilize his length to press receivers at the line of scrimmage and make plays on the ball in the air
- Extremely physical player who loves to get down and dirty in the run game, has good tackling technique and hits hard at the point of contact
Negatives
- Instincts and overall fundamentals will need development, as he has not played much safety
- Does not have the footwork or lateral agility to survive in man to man situations against shiftier receivers
- 73% completion percentage against him in 2023
- Prone to getting beat deep, as long speed is below average
Overall: Watts III is a player who would very much require some development and patience with the Denver Broncos coaching staff, as he does not have many live reps at safety.
The truth is that he just does not have the footwork or lateral athleticism to survive at corner. However, given his athletic profile, there is much reason to believe that he has rather high upside if he makes the transition to safety.
His height, length, and athleticism would translate well to the safety position, and his slower 40 time would be less of an issue if he lines up deeper behind the line of scrimmage (For reference, Justin Simmons ran a 4.61 coming out of college). Watts III could contribute right away on special teams and has the upside to eventually become a key member of the secondary in 2-3 years, which is well worth a sixth or seventh-round pick.
