Broncos’ draft plans become clearer after combine visits

I came across a really interesting tidbit while digging into Denver’s Combine visits.

Last year, when you compare Denver’s Combine visits by position, it perfectly overlaps with the positions they ended up drafting that year. The Broncos haven’t been exactly subtle the last two years with what their intentions are leading up to the Draft.

Thus, as we wrap up the Combine, taking a look across the position groups Denver met with most can begin to give us a pretty good idea of where they’ll likely lean on Draft Day.

Quick caveat here is that there are still a few of the 30 total Combine meetings that haven’t been reported, so there may be a position or two that gets left out of the conversation as of right now.

So taking a look at the Draft Interest Tracker, which Scotty does an awesome job keeping up to date every year, we can see a pattern emerging with the Broncos’ visits.

This is exactly what Joe Rowles and I dig into this on this week’s episode of Cover 2 Broncos.

Wide Receivers

Denver met with nine receivers, eight of which are all second-day guys at the latest; many will likely be gone in the first round. This seems to be the top priority, but it’ll be interesting to see who falls to them at No. 15.

Offensive Line

The Broncos seem to be hedging their bets if a receiver doesn’t fall by digging into a few of the top tackles in Wills and Wirfs. Aside from those guys, they also met with some interior O-line and guys who could be had with Denver’s seven picks in the first four rounds.

Defensive End

Joe and I discussed on the podcast how it’s interesting that the guys they are looking at on the defensive line seem to bring the most value as penetrating pass rushers, which doesn’t necessarily fit Denver’s current needs on the Dline. But those guys are paired with a guy like DJ Reader, who the Broncos have expressed interest for free agency, it makes a ton of sense.

Running Back

Check out the podcast to hear Joe and I rant about 10 straight minutes about the possibility of Denver burning yet another top three pick on a running back.

If Denver wants to bring in some additional talent to the running back room, I’m fine with a 4th or 5th round selection or a bargain veteran in free agency, but there just are not enough snaps to go around between Denver’s 2018 third-rounder Royce Freeman, 2018 undrafted running back Phillip Lindsay, plus a third back to warrant drafting someone else higher than the fourth round.

Combine the Combine visits (see what I did there) with the reports of who Denver is interested in via free agency, and the news of Wilkinson likely being tendered, and the direction the team is headed this offseason, is becoming clearer.

What were some of your key takeaways from the Combine? Let discuss!