Is it time for Denver to take a wide receiver in the first round - or maybe an o-lineman?

Good morning, Broncos Country!

The NFL Combine is underway and last night’s 40 times from the wide receivers were quite the showcase.

As expected, Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III clocked in as the fastest so far with a blazing 4.28 - likely meaning he’ll contend for a top spot in the first round of the draft two months from now. But there were also five players under 4.4, including Baylor’s Denzel Mims who got a 4.37, and a slew of super-speedsters coming in just over 4.4 like Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy at 4.45 and TCU’s Jalen Reagor at 4.47 seconds.

So the speed has been established.

And it wasn’t just speed. This group can jump too.

The question is - do the Broncos want one of them?

Based on their numerous interviews with wide receivers this week in Indianapolis, it appears probably so. Every team is looking for their Tyreek Hill now, and that includes the Broncos.

Courtland Sutton evolved into a WR1 rather quickly in his second season, but Denver needs a real roadrunner to beat the secondary and get deep fast enough for the bullet Drew Lock can unload.

Luckily for Denver, there are a lot of wide receivers to choose from - and more than a few still there when the Broncos pick at No. 15.

On our Something Something Broncos podcast this week, Tim, Jess and I discussed this likelihood of Broncos taking a wide receiver with their first pick.

Tim is sure they will and has his heart set on Ruggs coming to the mile high city. Unfortunately, Ruggs just burst into a top 5 pick, which the Broncos are unlikely to trade up to go after. But Je

I went a little rogue on the podcast and suggested that because of the deep wideout class, there’s a chance John Elway goes offensive line in the first round. Guys like Jedrick Wills from Alabama or possibly Tristan Wirfs from Iowa?

It isn’t sexy, I know, and Elway didn’t do so great the last time he picked a tackle in the first round, but given his success with Dalton Risner last year, the GM may be more confident in his ability to fortify the offensive line with some high-quality draft picks.

My argument for this move is that unless one of the Broncos’ favorite receivers is still on the board, picking offensive line talent in the first round and getting one of the wide receivers from a stacked class in the second round is likely more value overall.

Either way, it seems likely Elway will go with offense in his first-round pick as he’s hoping to bolster the defense through free agency. And building a strong but young offensive corps that can develop together and play together for years could be Elway’s best Plan A in years.

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