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Best draft prospects at Broncos’ biggest positions of need

jon heath
·3 min read
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It’s never too early to begin looking ahead to the NFL draft, right? Luke Easterling of Draft Wire recently published his list of the top five players at each position for the 2022 NFL draft.

Here’s a look at those players at Denver’s biggest positions of need: quarterback, right tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, defensive line and cornerback.

Quarterback

(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

The Broncos might target veteran quarterbacks in 2022 instead, but if they choose to draft one, these are the prospects that Easterling has ranked at the top.

1. Kenny Pickett | Pitt

2. Matt Corral | Ole Miss

3. Desmond Ridder | Cincinnati

4. Sam Howell | North Carolina

5. Malik Willis | Liberty

Offensive Tackle

(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Bobby Massie has been solid for the Broncos this season, but he’s scheduled to become a 32-year-old free agent in 2022. Denver needs to add a long-term candidate at the position.

1. Evan Neal | Alabama

2. Ikem Ekwonu | North Carolina State

3. Charles Cross | Mississippi State

4. Trevor Penning | Northern Iowa

5. Jaxson Kirkland | Washington

Inside Linebacker

(AP Photo/George Frey)

Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell and Kenny Young are all scheduled to become free agents in 2022. Even if the Broncos re-sign one or more of those defenders, adding more depth at inside linebacker should be a priority this offseason.

1. Devin Lloyd | Utah

2. Nakobe Dean | Georgia

3. Christian Harris | Alabama

4. Brandon Smith | Penn State

5. Chad Muma | Wyoming

Outside Linebacker

(The Register Guard, USA TODAY Network)

Malik Reed has struggled at times against the run and Bradley Chubb is currently scheduled to become a free agent following the 2022 season. Jonathon Cooper has impressed as a seventh-round pick, but the Broncos will need more depth — and perhaps a new starter — at the position next year.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon

2. Aidan Hutchinson | Michigan

3. George Karlaftis | Purdue

4. David Ojabo | Michigan

5. Cameron Thomas | San Diego State

Defensive Line

(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Mike Purcell and Shelby Harris still have two years left on their contracts, but the Broncos could use more depth both at nose tackle and at defensive end.

1. DeMarvin Leal | Texas A&M

2. Jordan Davis | Georgia

3. Perrion Winfrey | Oklahoma

4. Haskell Garrett | Ohio State

5. Devonte Wyatt | Georgia

Cornerback

(Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)

The Broncos have excellent depth at cornerback this year, but four of the team’s defensive backs are scheduled to become free agents in 2022. Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Nate Hairston and Mike Ford will become free agents in the spring, and the team just lost young cornerback Essang Bassey on the waiver wire this week. Denver will need more CB depth next year.

1. Derek Stingley Jr. | LSU

2. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner | Cincinnati

3. Andrew Booth Jr. | Clemson

4. Kaiir Elam | Florida

5. Roger McCreary | Auburn

(Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

The Broncos currently have 11 picks to use in next year’s draft, including five selections in the first three rounds.

To view the full list of the best prospects for 2022, visit Draft Wire.

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