Report: Broncos had a pre-draft visit with Notre Dame defensive lineman, Jerry Tillery

According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the Denver Broncos are having a pre-draft visit/workout with former Notre Dame defensive lineman, Jerry Tillery.

He’s a 6’6”, 295lb defensive lineman who is considered one of the more intriguing prospects in the entire draft.

Tillery played a total of four seasons at Notre Dame and turned into one of their best defensive players during that span. During his four-year career at Notre Dame, TIllery totaled 133 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. This past season, Tillery totaled 28 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

Currently, Tillery is recovering from a torn labrum in his shoulder. He played the final games of the season at Notre Dame with this injury as well as participating at the Combine with the injury. That puts his already impressive numbers into perspective.

Tillery is likely to be a mid to late first-round pick who could maybe slide into day two, but that 15 to 40 range is likely where he goes. This means the Broncos would either have to trade up back into the first-round for him or trade back into the later portions of the first-round to get him. I’d assume the trade back option is the more likely scenario here.

Tillery would give the Broncos something they currently do not have on their roster. That is a legit pocket pusher/interior pass rusher. Shelby Harris is great and can do this as well, but doesn’t have the interior pass rush upside that Tillery has. The Broncos haven’t had a player like this ever since Malik Jackson bolted to Jacksonville during free agency a few years back.

I really like TIllery’s upside, especially on a team that has Vic Fangio and Bill Kollar on their defensive coaching staff.