Lammey: 3 offensive weapons for Broncos to watch at the combine
Feb 27, 2018, 8:06 PM | Updated: 8:12 pm
Editor’s note: The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine takes place this week in Indianapolis, and several players have much to gain (or lose) during this process. Fan Football Insider Cecil Lammey will be on the ground at Lucas Oil Stadium to share the latest from Indy.
The Denver Broncos offense is one of the worst in the NFL.
Peyton Manning isn’t walking through that door to throw 55 touchdowns, and even if the Broncos land Kirk Cousins, they still need quality talent (and depth) on offense.
With Bill Musgrave coordinating the offense, Denver can have a versatile offense with spread concepts, which are becoming the norm in the league. This team needs help on the offensive line, the running back position, the wide receiver position, and at tight end.
Basically, the offense needs a complete rebuild. A few “quick fix” players will be found in free agency, but long-term answers can be found in the draft.
Denver needs to find better talent through the draft on both sides of the ball, so here are three offensive players the Broncos should be monitoring this week at the combine:
Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
The rushing attack for the Broncos is likely to look much different in 2018. The team should emphasize big-play ability in any back they add in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Ronald Jones II (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
This is a great class of running backs coming into the league, and Ron Jones from USC is one of the most explosive players in this group.
Nicknamed “RoJo,” Jones is a clone of Jamaal Charles. While the Broncos are likely to move on from Charles after only one season, they could get a younger version of him with Jones.
Jones has a game built on speed — and Jones can get to top speed in a hurry — something that should be highlighted at the combine this week.
D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Recent reports indicate the Broncos may keep both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders this offseason. In order to attract a quarterback, potentially Kirk Cousins, Denver needs to make sure they have quality weapons at which to throw.
In addition to keeping weapons at wide receiver, the Broncos need to add quality, young talent at the position, which is why they should consider Maryland’s D.J. Moore in the second round.
Moore basically turns into a running back after the catch. Measuring in at 5-foot-10, Moore is a quick-twitch athlete with the agility that makes him difficult to jam at the line.
If Sanders and Thomas are both retained for 2018, the Broncos could use Moore as a slot receiver — a weapon they haven’t had since the days of Wes Welker.
Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Small school prospects can have big-time ability, which is something the combine will showcase.
South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert was supposed to compete in the Senior Bowl earlier this year, but a hamstring injury on the first day of practice knocked him out for the week.
Some in the scouting community compare Goedert’s skill set to that of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Like Kelce, Goedert can get down the seam and create mismatches against defenders not equipped to stay with him downfield. Seen as a second-round pick, the Broncos need to consider Goedert in the draft.
He’s a smart player and doesn’t waste a lot of time getting off the line of scrimmage. Not only can he make big plays down the seam, Goedert has the concentration to be a consistent target on underneath routes.
Last year, Denver selected Jake Butt out of Michigan in the fifth round. He’s got Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota Vikings) upside if healthy, but he missed his rookie season while recovering from a knee injury suffered in the Wolverines bowl game.
It will be great if Butt is healthy again, but the Broncos can’t simply rely on the fact he’s going to be healthy.
Drafting a player like Goedert just makes for a stronger offense, and if Butt plays up to his potential then Denver will have two great assets at the position.
