Broncos 2014 Draft Picks

The Broncos selected six new players during the 2014 NFL Draft. With a roster full of veterans and key players, the Broncos needed to address only a few positions in this draft. It seems like the Broncos addressed those positional needs after the weekend concluded. Here are the six draft picks Denver selected and my analysis of where they fit on this team going forward into next season.

1st Round- #31 overall: Bradley Roby-CB (Ohio State)

-The Broncos really needed to grab a corner in the early rounds, and Roby is a talented player who fell to them at #31. This is a good pick for the Broncos and Roby will step in as the #3 corner behind Aqib Talib and Chris Harris and ahead of Kayvon Webster. It sounds like Roby will even get to play some outside corner while Harris plays the slot in nickel situations.

2^nd Round- #56 overall: Cody Latimer-WR (Indiana)

-The Broncos needed to get another receiver in the first three rounds of the draft, and they selected Latimer, who was rocketing up the mock draft boards. Latimer is a big, physical receiver, and he could potentially replace Eric Decker. With Wes Welker one hit away from another severe concussion, the Broncos needed another receiver to go with Demaryius Thomas and the newly signed Emmanuel Sanders. Latimer should be able to work his way into the receiver rotation by midseason.

3^rd Round-#95 overall: Michael Schofield-OT (Michigan)

-The Broncos lost Zane Beadles to free agency, and they plan to move Orlando Franklin inside to guard to replace Beadles. By drafting Schofield, the Broncos get a guy who started at RT for Michigan but has the ability to move inside to guard as well. Having flexibility with your lineman is a huge advantage for a team. If all goes well, Schofield can come in a win the LG job outright by next year.

5^th Round-#156 overall: Lamin Barrow-LB (LSU)

-The Broncos traded out of the 4^th round with the Bears. They have always seemed to forget about the ILB position every offseason. They have gone the veteran free agent route the last two years with Keith Brooking and Paris Lenon. Nate Irving will get a shot to start this year, but watch out for Barrow. This could be a sleeper pick. If anything, Barrow should be able to contribute on special teams this season.

6^th Round-#207 overall: Matt Paradis-C (Boise St)

-Denver needs some depth at center, and a guy like Paradis can provide that. If Paradis can’t beat out Will Montgomery for the backup spot, then he will be a practice-squad player for 2014.

7^th Round-#242 overall: Corey Nelson-LB (Oklahoma)

-Nelson will provide more depth and competition at linebacker. If things go well for Nelson, he could crack the 53-man roster as a special teams player. If not, then maybe he makes the practice-squad. The worst case scenario for him is that he gets cut, which could happen to a 7^th round pick.