Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Previous previews: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen. Today: Defensive linemen.
Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Signed Malcolm Roach to a two-year deal, signing Angelo Blackson to a one-year deal, did not tender Jonathan Harris.
Under contract: Zach Allen (two years), Matt Henningsen (two years), Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike (two years), D.J. Jones (one year), Rashard Lawrence (one year), Elijah Garcia (one year), Jordan Jackson (one year).
Need scale (1-10): 8. The Broncos struggled against the run in 2023 and have not developed their own interior difference-makers recently. They haven’t taken a defensive lineman in the first two days of the draft since McTelvin Agim in 2020. Uwazurike is still suspended and Henningsen didn’t take a big Year 2 jump in 2023. The market for interior disruptors has exploded. If the Broncos want them, they’re going to have to draft and develop them.
Top five
1. Byron Murphy, Texas: A possibility for the Broncos at No. 12, Murphy doesn’t have ideal size at 6-foot-1 and 297 pounds, but he’s a load. Ran 4.87 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Had five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in his third and final college season.
2. Johnny Newton, Illinois: Newton may still challenge Murphy as the first interior player taken, though he had January surgery to address a Jones fracture in his foot. Newton, like Murphy, isn’t the biggest but he’s a handful at 6-2, 305. Had 22.5 TFLs and 13 sacks over the past two seasons.
3. Kris Jenkins, Michigan: At 6-3 and 299, Jenkins has length and strength and ran 4.91 in the 40 at the combine. Never had huge production (eight TFLs, four sacks in 44 career games) but he’s an asset against the run.
4. Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State: Hall is cut from the Dre’Mont Jones cloth and a Broncos option in the same range of the draft as Jones (third round). He’s 6-3 and 290 and has a big wingspan at better than 81 inches.
5. T’Vondre Sweat, Texas: One of the most interesting players in the class, Sweat is massive at 6-4, 363. The 2023 Outland Trophy winner is unblockable when he’s engaged, but he might be a run down-only player in the NFL. Arrested on suspicion of DWI earlier this month.
Broncos options
The Broncos have eight picks, starting with No. 12 and then No. 76 in the third round. Here are five more options for Denver.
Braden Fiske, Florida State: Started his career at Western Michigan and had a solid sixth year for the Seminoles. Fiske is 6-4 and 292 and ran 4.78 in the 40. Six sacks and nine TFLs at FSU in 2023.
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Brandon Dorlus, Oregon: Like Hall but lighter, Dorlus is a disruptive pass-rusher who might be an interior player or might be more of a 3-4 defensive end. Three-year starter at Oregon was 6-3 and 283 at the Combine.
Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson: A Nigerian native, Orhorhoro is 6-4 and 294 and brings a combination of size and athleticism to the table. Eight TFLs each of the past three seasons and 11.5 sacks over that span.
Maason Smith, LSU: One of several Tigers the Broncos’ new defensive line coach and former LSU assistant Jamar Cain will know well. Smith is just 21 years old, 6-5 and 301 and has an 85-inch wingspan. He’s not a finished product, but upside is substantial.
Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa: A later-round interior option, Boyd didn’t get a combine invite but has drawn significant pre-draft interest from teams. He’s 6-2 and in the 330-pound neighborhood. An older, small-school prospect but one with size, power and experience (49 games at UNI).
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