The 2014 NFL draft is just over a month away -- 34 days to be exact -- and for many teams, it will present the yearly opportunity to snag what could be the difference between a few more wins or losses. For the Broncos specifically, it could well be the difference between making a second straight trip to the Super Bowl.
But before their front office can ready what looks to be a new and improved roster for the 2014-2015 season, they will first need to attend to three main areas of concern: linebacker, offensive lineman and cornerback. John Elway did accomplish a great deal in this year's free agency by acquiring a trio of Pro-Bowlers in Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward, but with the goal of winning now, he can only hope to tap into the pool of talent one last time before opening day.
Here are three players the Broncos should pursue in the upcoming NFL draft in succeeding order.
1. C.J. Mosley (University of Alabama), inside linebacker, 6-foot-2, 234 lbs
2013-2014 season statistics: 62 solo tackles, 46 assisted tackles, nine tackles for loss
2014 NFL Combine grade: 6.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoep15cF_aU
For the Broncos, C.J. Moseley would without question be their ideal No. 1 pick. Moseley is projected to land midway in the first round, but recent rumors indicate that his stock may be falling due to his questionable turnout at the combine and health issues. This is great news for the Broncos.
Last season, Moseley was one of the most dominant defensive players in the country at Alabama. In addition to his raw athletic ability and discipline on the field, Moseley was also known to be a vocal leader on and off the field. For a Bronco team that is looking to solidify their defense, Moseley could be the long-term answer they have been waiting for.
Ideally, Moseley would pair with Danny Trevathan and a healthy Von Miller to create one of the better linebacker trios in the league. Though the Broncos would likely be fine with Trevathan and Miller at the helm, Moseley would add that extra factor that would put them over the top. Inside linebackers haven't been a strong suit for the Broncos in recent memory, but it can easily be forgiven if Moseley falls to the bottom of the first round.
2. Stanley Jean-Baptiste (University of Nebraska), cornerback, 6-foot-3, 220 lbs
2013-2014 season statistics: four interceptions, 41 tackles, 12 passes broken up
2014 NFL Combine grade: 5.29
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq-FztyrMqQ
With the recent additions of Talib and Ward, the Bronco defense is already better than it was a year ago, especially their secondary. That doesn't however mean, it can't use another cornerback.
This is where Stanley Jean-Baptiste comes in. For a projected third round pick, Jean-Baptiste is a realistic option for the Broncos and it would be hard for them to pass him up for how much value he can bring to Jack Del Rio's defense. Having played press man coverage at Nebraska for three years, Jean-Baptitse is not only a seasoned player heading into the draft, but he is also the perfect fit for the Bronco defense.
Jean-Baptiste may not become a marquee player in the league long-term, but he does bring something to the table in the short-term that the Broncos would love to have: a complete secondary. Coming off an almost perfect year, the Broncos are realistically looking to make subtle changes in this year's draft and few players ring truer in that department than Jean-Baptiste.
3. Billy Turner (North Dakota State University), offensive lineman (left tackle), 6-foot-6, 314 lbs
2013-2014 season statistics: Allowed zero sacks in 15 starts
2014 NFL Combine grade: 5.24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm9_gSO8v6c
The Broncos are down to two offensive guards after free agency. For this reason alone, Billy Turner, who is projected to go late, could go a lot earlier than you think.
One of the biggest concerns for the Broncos heading into next season lies in their offensive line. The Broncos do return veteran Ryan Clady and are expecting 2013 draft selection Vinston Painter to increase his production this next season, but there is still a lot of work to be done if they wish to protect an aging Peyton Manning for the long haul.
Despite playing D-I AA level, Turner presents a high level of upside that people outside of North Dakota State may not see. In addition to being an integral part of three national title teams with the Bison, Turner also participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this past year where he proved himself against the best in the country. Turner may not be a pretty pick, but he is quick on his feet and could provide some much needed stability to a questionable Bronco offensive line.
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