The last day of the draft is where you can really get some insight into a team’s valuation. Are they swinging for the fences? What kind of fits are they looking for? Does character really matter? It truly is throwing darts at the wall from multiple angles.
With that in mind: This is the last piece of my attempt at guessing how Elway and the Broncos view this 2020 NFL Draft class. Fit is important to me, and after obsessing over the Broncos’ 2019 defense and watching a lot of Pat Shurmur scheme with the Vikings and Giants, these are the players that I believe best fit the 2020 systems. If a player is not on this board it is either because I do not believe he is a clean fit, or I simply didn’t get to him.
As far as the board itself: you will not find quarterbacks on this board as I typically weigh them in a different manner. Each prospect’s position is based around a combination of how I view him as a player, how I think he fits, how valuable the position he plays is, and weighing upside vs. risk.
If you’ve been reading the previous two boards, you’ll be familiar with the format. If not I strongly recommend checking them out first. For day three I will be talking less about risk because there’s probably an obvious reason a player has slipped this far. Where exceptions may present themselves I’ll mention it. Beyond that the players are described similar to before, with “Fit” how I see them finding a niche early and a “3-year ceiling” that lays out what they could be.
One thing you may notice on the Day 3 board is that I’m beginning to place a little more weight on fit. This is intentional. Opportunity is everything in the NFL and when you don’t have the draft pedigree to stick around while you figure it out, your chances at survival are directly tied to how well you can contribute now. With limited roster spots it’s hard to hold onto a project receiver in hopes that he can turn into a stud three years down the road.
When in doubt, I tried to ask myself one simple question: “Would you take A or B if both are staring you in the face?” If there is any you find yourself with questions on please feel free to ask in the comments, @Cover2Broncos or my Twitter @JoRo_NFL.
Let’s get to it.
Tier 7: Day 3 sliders
Something knocked them out of the tier above, but these players have upside that could make them high quality contributors on the Broncos’ roster.
84. Gabriel Davis - WR16
Fit: Depth receiver, vertical threat (slot fade guy)
3-Year Ceiling: Starting receiver you can win with who combines deep speed with complete route tree.
85. John Hightower - WR17
Fit: Depth receiver, vertical threat (slot fade guy)
3-Year Ceiling: Starting receiver who breaks the ceiling on opposing defenses.
*cough* John Hightower *cough*
— Christopher Hart (@topherhart) April 15, 2020
86. Josiah Scott- CB15/DB23
Fit: Early competition for nickel corner, special teams contributor.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting nickel you can win with who can contribute on boundary.
87. Cam Akers - RB4
Fit: Three down running back with questions about vision/reads and passing game prowess.
3-Year Ceiling: Three down running back who can do it all.
Good morning to everyone but those who do not have Cam Akers as a Top 5 RB in this classpic.twitter.com/OFld1i4wUi
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 22, 2020
88. Isaiah Coulter - WR18
Fit: Depth receiver, vertical threat (slot fade guy)
3-Year Ceiling: Starting wide receiver who is a dangerous splash play threat.
Isaiah Coulter Highlights: pic.twitter.com/uORnsE6Oet
— NYJETS (@NYJET_UP) April 18, 2020
89. Lynn Bowden - WR19/OX3
Fit: Depth receiver who can contribute on special teams.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting receiver who is at his best in the slot with explosive speed and ability after the catch.
90. Terrell Lewis - ED6
Fit: Rotational edge player behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
Risk: Significant injury concerns: elbow and knee.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting edge rusher you can win with who can rush the passer and also drop in space.
91. Shane Lemieux - iOL9
Fit: Day one competition at right guard.
Risk: Blocking on move may never be a strength. Balance? Played LG in college.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right guard you can win with who is at his best drive blocking.
92. Jonah Jackson - iOL10
Fit: Day one competition at right guard
Risk: Scheme fit? Missed time in 2017.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right guard you can win with who is an asset in pass protection.
93. Darrell Taylor - ED7
Fit: Rotational edge player.
Risk: Dinged for work ethic/character? Needs moves. Stacking blocks a question.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting edge rusher who is as good against the run as pass.
Tennessee EDGE Darrell Taylor is another #Patriots fit likely on day two. Once he gets going, he's got some juice as a pass rusher and will set your edge against the run.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 17, 2020
Slant rush onto the guard with a nice arm over for the sack. Taylor turns a tight corner too. pic.twitter.com/zaoKFOBzFH
94. McTelvin Agim - DL11
Fit: Rotational interior pass rusher.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting base end in 3-4, interior rusher in nickel/sub who is a pain in opponent’s keister
95. Michael Ojemudia - CB16/DB24
Fit: Depth corner who can contribute on special teams.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting boundary corner you can win with.
96. Jack Driscoll - OT11
Fit: Depth lineman who could fill in at multiple spots.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right tackle you can win with.
97. Hakeem Adeniji - OT12
Fit: Depth lineman with 43 games at left tackle at Kansas.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting tackle you can win with.
98. Antonio Gibson - RB5/OX4
Fit: Depth at running back, special teamer, gadget player.
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down running back who shines in space.
Antonio Gibson with some broken Madden ish. pic.twitter.com/DwX0xNfoDm
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) April 8, 2020
99. Antonio Gandy-Golden WR20
Fit: Depth receiver who can contribute on special teams
Risk: Jumping from pond to the ocean. Needs to add technique/strength/polish across the board.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting WR2 you can win because of and a redzone weapon.
100. Markus Bailey - LB9
Fit: Depth linebacker who can contribute on special teams.
Risk: Significant medical issues: Has torn ACL in each knee once. Hip surgery after 2018 season. Can he come back to previous form?
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down linebacker you can win with, spark-plug leader.
101. Michael Onwenu
Fit: Early competition at right guard
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right guard who looks like a bulldozer at the point of attack.
102. Davion Taylor - LB10
Fit: Depth linebacker who will add speed to special teams.
Risk: Callow.
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down linebacker who can do it all and excel in coverage.
103. James Lynch
Fit: Depth player along the defensive line and special teams contributor.
Risk: His 31 7/8” arms are below 10th percentile which hurts his ability to stack and shed. For a player who wins with his hands, this could be damning in NFL.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting 5-technique in base who can be a disruptive force on passing downs.
Here are some of my favorite players by round in the 2020 NFL Draft:
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 19, 2020
1. Zack Baun: A do-everything pass rusher with good athleticism.
2. Ashytn Davis: Elite athlete who plays with relentless energy
3. James Lynch: Productive, strong and versatile DL who fits a 3-4 or 4-3.
104. Curtis Weaver- ED8
Fit: Rotational edge player behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting edge who excels at rushing the passer.
105. Ben Bredeson
Fit: Early competition at right guard
Risk: His 31 1/8” arms are in the 1st percentile for interior offensive linemen.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right guard who wins in tight quarters.
106. Quintez Cephus
Fit: Depth receiver
Risk: Sexual assault charges that led to expulsion before he was acquitted. 2017 broken right leg.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting slot receiver who brings more than he takes away.
107. Jordyn Brooks
Fit: Depth linebacker who stands out on special teams. Potential heir to Todd Davis?
Risk: Hidden in coverage by defensive coordinator. Block deconstruction. Has had multiple shoulder injuries.
3-Year Ceiling: Rangy 3 down linebacker who can blitz, own the box, and chase down dump off passes.
108. Zack Moss
Fit: RB3 who can take over for Melvin Gordon in case of injury.
Risk: Running style combined with medical history is a bit alarming.
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down running back with silly good contact balance.
ZACK MOSS JOINED MY SHOW TO BREAKDOWN GAME FILM
— Alex Rollins (@AlexRollinsNFL) April 18, 2020
Clip of @presmoss2 detailing how film study helps him make decisions and when to audible out of jet sweeps
Full episode: https://t.co/FKURrZKegc#zackmoss #nfl #nfldraft #DRAFTZACKMOSSROUND1 pic.twitter.com/NfD0rtEOG3
109. Alex Highsmith
Fit: Rotational edge depth.
Risk: Jump from Charlotte’s Web to the NFL.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting edge who thrives on passing downs.
110. Logan Stenberg
Fit: Depth along the interior.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right guard you can win with who looks like a ballroom brawler in the phone booth.
111. Julian Blackmon
Fit: Backup safety, nickel, and special teams contributor.
3-Year Ceiling: Heir to Kareem Jackson you can win with.
112. Collin Johnson
Fit: Depth receiver who can contribute on special teams and in the red zone.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting pass catcher who’s at his best in the red zone and above the rim.
113. Isaiah Hodgins
Fit: Depth receiver who can contribute on special teams and in the red zone.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting receiver who excels at bully ball and really sucks to cover around the goal line.
114. Kevin Dotson
Fit: Backup lineman who could step into a starting job in a real pinch.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting right guard who can beat people up at the point of attack.
115. Harrison Hand
Fit: Depth corner who can play on the boundary.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting boundary cornerback you can win with thanks to his eyes, ball skills, and physicality.
Tier 8: Later round fliers
Some are high ceiling/low floor, some are potential backups, others offer special teams value. They aren’t necessarily in order. At this point in the draft Elway will be throwing darts, and I simply believe these are players that have a decent shot to stick to stick to the Broncos roster.
Parnell Motley
Fit: Depth corner who can contribute on special teams.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting inside/outside corner who can play press.
A.J. Dillon
Fit: Short yardage back
3-Year Ceiling: Poor man’s Travis Henry.
Joe Bachie
Fit: Backup linebacker and special teams contributor.
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down linebacker who you can survive with on passing downs.
Rashard Lawrence
Fit: Depth lineman who could soak up a few snaps early.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting 5-technique in base, starting 3 in nickel you can win with.
Essang Bassey
Fit: Backup cornerback and special teams contributor.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting nickel you could win with. Can win in spite of outside.
Evan Weaver
Fit: Backup backer who can play on special teams
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down linebacker you can survive with on passing downs.
Anthony McFarland
Fit: Backup running back who adds explosiveness
3-Year Ceiling: 3 down back who can embarrass people in space.
Bravvion Roy
Fit: Backup nose tackle.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting nose.
Jacob Phillips
Fit: Backup backer and core special teamer.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting linebacker you can win with.
Kyle Murphy
Fit: Developmental interior lineman.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting lineman you can win despite.
Jon Runyan
Fit: Developmental lineman.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting lineman you can win with.
James Proche
Fit: Slot receiver you can win in spite of.
3-Year Ceiling: Slot receiver you can win with.
Quez Watkins
Fit: Developmental receiver
3-Year Ceiling: Tertiary receiver who brings explosive deep speed to the table.
Binjimen Victor
Fit: Depth receiver.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting boundary receiver you can win in spite of.
Mykal Walker
Fit: Depth linebacker and special teams contributor
3-Year Ceiling: Starting linebacker who offers usage flexibility on passing downs.
Justin Strnad
Fit: Depth linebacker and special teams contributor.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting linebacker you can win in spite of.
Charlie Heck
Fit: Developmental tackle who offers swing upside.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting left tackle who you can survive with against most pass rushers.
Colton McKivitz
Fit: Developmental lineman with utility upside.
3 Year Ceiling: A utility lineman you can survive with thanks to his pass blocking.
Alex Taylor
Fit: Project tackle
3-Year Ceiling: Starting left tackle you can win with thanks to his octopus arms and smooth feet and body control.
Josiah Deguara
Fit: Backup tight end/H-back and special teamer
3-Year Ceiling: H-Back and backup tight end.
Quartney Davis
Fit: Depth receiver who can contribute on special teams.
Risk: Traits over tape.
3-Year Ceiling: Tertiary receiver who’s speed compliments Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant.
Keith Ismael
Fit: Backup center.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting center you can win with.
Zach Shackelford
Fit: Developmental interior lineman.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting center you can win despite.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Fit: Backup running back who can start in a pinch.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting running back you can win with.
Dane Jackson
Fit: Depth corner who has athleticism, mentality, and click and close to survive in a pinch.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting corner you can win with.
Thaddeus Moss
Fit: Backup tight end who can play on special teams.
3-Year Ceiling: Y tight end you can win with.
Brandon Jones
Fit: Developmental DB who has experience at safety and nickel.
Jauan Jennings
Fit: Depth receiver who can contribute on special teams.
Risk: Workouts were disappointing. Significant character questions. Had someone connected tell me he’s been compared to Brandon Marshall both on field and off.
3-Year Ceiling: Brandon Marshall?
Tremayne Anchrum
Fit: Backup lineman
3-Year Ceiling: Starting iOL you can win despite.
Kindle Vildor
Fit: Backup DB who can contribute on special teams.
3-Year Ceiling: Starting corner you can win in spite of.
Josiah Coatney
Fit: Depth lineman who can help on passing downs.
Michael Warren
Fit: Backup running back who can tote the rock in a pinch
3-Year Ceiling: Starting running back you hope to replace.