3 Reese’s Senior Bowl defensive prospects the Broncos should target

The 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl is underway this week in Mobile, Alabama. Like the East-West Shrine Game, I’ve covered the Senior Bowl for 11 years in a row. It’s the biggest stop on what I call my “All-Star Road Trip,” mainly because of the elite-level talent that regularly is featured in this game.

The Denver Broncos are always represented well at this game. In fact, general manager John Elway was seen prominently near the 50-yard line for each of the first two practices. While other executives may sit in the stands or the press box (or skip the game), Elway is front and center getting a first-hand look at the college talent on display.

This is an incredibly deep and talented draft class at certain positions, and the Broncos will be continuing to search for better talent on defense. The best senior prospects are here in Mobile, and there are more than a few defensive players the Broncos should be considering from this game.

In 2011, it was linebacker Von Miller who became the talk of the Senior Bowl. The Broncos watched him dominate here, and they made him the second-overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Miller earned the Super Bowl 50 MVP award last season and is a superstar in this league, but his pre-draft journey began at this game.

Here are three defensive players the Broncos should target from the Senior Bowl:

Carlos Watkins, defensive tackle, Clemson

The Broncos need to find more talent on the defensive line, inside at tackle specifically. They were fourth in the NFL in total defense in 2016, giving up an average of only 316.1 yards per game. However, the rush defense was one of the weakest in the NFL, ranking 28th and giving up an average of 130.3 rushing yards per game.

Clearly, Denver needs to do a better job inside.

Clemson defensive tackle Carlos Watkins was an immediate standout at the weigh-in on Tuesday. Measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds, Watkins looked like he was put together well and didn’t have bad weight. It even looked like he could add more muscle and definition to his upper body.

Watkins can get off the line quickly, and he can constantly take on more than one blocker. He can “stack and shed” blockers to get to the play quickly. Watkins is huge, but he moves well laterally and has a nose for the football.

The Broncos need to fix their rush defense first and foremost. Adding a big body like Watkins would certainly help the team stuff the run in 2017 and beyond.

Tarell Basham, defensive end, Ohio

His name alone says it all.

At 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, Tarell Basham flashes impressive power on film. He knows how to use leverage when battling offensive linemen, and Basham has a non-stop motor that allows him to wear down opponents as the game goes on.

Basham is arguably the best and most consistent pass rusher here in Mobile. He wins with power most often, and he was able to take advantage in one-on-one drills. Basham has strong leg drive and has shown the ability to push his opponent back into the passer.

The Broncos will likely continue to use a 3-4 defense like the one Wade Phillips implemented when he showed up in 2015. That alignment may not work best for Basham, as he’s seen mainly as a 4-3 defensive end. He does have the room on his frame to add more size if he wants to bulk up and play on the line in a scheme like the one Denver will run.

Jordan Willis, defensive end, Kansas State

You can never have too many pass rushers, and that’s a position the Broncos could add to in the 2017 NFL draft. The team did a similar thing in 2015 when they moved up in the first round to select Shane Ray out of Missouri. They didn’t need to add another outside linebacker, but they felt Ray was too good to pass up.

Jordan Willis is a player turning heads at the Senior Bowl. He had two strong seasons in a row at Kansas State, and he was able to generate pressure with strength and a variety of moves.

In one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl, Willis is showing a strong push and the hand-fighting ability that will serve him well in the pros.

In addition to his pass rushing ability, Willis can be counted on as a run defender. Some question whether or not this college defensive end can stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

Noted draft/NFL expert Pat Kirwan recently compared Willis to San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa. That’s high praise for the Wildcats prospect, and if he continues to impress in the draft season, we could see him go off the board in the first round.

Honorable mention

Nate Gerry plays with a lot of attitude. The Nebraska safety is known as a hard-hitting player who can intimidate opponents with his physical playing style.

With multiple infractions and suspensions for the Cornhuskers, Gerry is working to improve his image now that he’s bound for the pros.

Marquez White, a cornerback from Florida State, has the skill set to make plays at the pro level. He’s known as a sound tackler and is a player who can diagnose things quickly as the play breaks down in front of him.

He is not the biggest corner, but he’s willing to play close to the line in run defense.

 

 

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