2014 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos select linebacker Lamin Barrow 156th overall

After selecting a trio of Big Ten players through the first three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos entered Day 3 of the NFL Draft with four remaining selections. With their fifth round selection, Denver traded down with the Chicago Bears and selected linebacker Lamin Barrow out of LSU.

The Broncos were scheduled to draft 131st but traded down with the Bears out of the fourth round.

As Smyth notes, Denver sent their fourth (131) and a seventh (246) to Chicago in exchange for a fifth (156) this year and in 2015. Denver has two picks remaining.

Entering the draft, NFL.com listed Denver's four needs as cornerback, wide receiver, offensive line, and linebacker. Denver addressed the first three positions through the first three rounds and had only one notable need remaining—middle linebacker.

It's unclear if Denver is planning to move Barrow to middle linebacker.

G.M. John Elway noted on Friday evening that the team has confidence in Nate Irving.

If the team is planning to make Barrow a middle linebacker, he will likely compete with Irving for the starting gig.

Elway noted on Twitter that Barrow can play both inside and outside linebacker positions.

Barrow, 6-1, 237 pounds, earned second-team All-SEC honors last season and was projected by NFL.com as a an "outside linebacker, nickel defender and special-teams contributor."

Was this a smart pick? Will Barrow compete for the starting MLB gig or simply provide depth at the linebacker position? Let us know in the comments below!