What should the Broncos be looking for at 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl?

It’s my favorite time of year! At the end of this week, I am back on the road for what I call the “All-Star Road Trip.”

My first stop is Las Vegas and the East-West Shrine Bowl. I’ve gone to every Shrine Game since 2007 except for 2021 as the game was cancelled due to COVID. It’s going to be great to be back out there on the practice field taking notes, and for the first time the game is going to be held in Las Vegas.

What is the Shrine Bowl? From their official website: For more than 90 years, some of football’s greatest athletes and coaches have contributed to the tradition of the East-West Shrine Bowl. Players like Gale Sayers, Tom Brady, John Elway, Allan Page, Dick Butkus, Brett Favre, Gino Marchetti and Walter Payton, along with coaches Don Shula, Dick Vermeil, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Jerry Glanville, to name a few, have supported the East-West Shrine Bowl.

I’ve been going since 2007, and I’ve seen great players who are still playing in today’s NFL. Over the years, I remember standout players who would one day play for the Denver Broncos at the Shrine Bowl. Players like Julius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and T.J. Ward have been at this game. I’ve seen San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo at this game. I’ve even watched former San Diego State quarterback and Broncos head coach candidate Kevin O’Connell at this game (the same year I watched some guy named Tyler Polumbus). Needless to say, I could go on and on about the talent that’s been at the Shrine Bowl.

So, what should the Broncos be looking for at this year’s Shrine Bowl? Let’s discuss.

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Late-Round QB

There are plenty of players at the Shrine Bowl who are going to be mid- to late-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. No matter what the Broncos do at the quarterback position this offseason – trade for Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, sign a free agent like Jameis Winston or stick with Drew Lock – they need to look for a late-round quarterback. This player may never be a starter, but every team in the NFL should be looking for quarterbacks late in the draft as developmental prospects.

One of my favorite quarterbacks on the East-West roster this year is Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King. Some in the scouting community think a switch to wide receiver would be best, but King was able to post strong numbers as a passer with the Hurricanes and the Houston Cougars. King has overcome adversity on and off the field, and now he gets a chance to showcase his talent in front of NFL scouts in Las Vegas.

D'Eriq King GETTING IT DONE 😤 @DeriqKing_ @CanesFootball

(via @ESPNCFB)pic.twitter.com/pfCGbBETr9

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 11, 2020

King has skill as a passer, but it’s his skill as a runner that draws some comparisons to Cardinals starter Kyler Murray. I like his ability to pick up extra yards after contact. Even though he’s a quarterback, King runs like a running back and does have toughness when he runs. King can spin to buy time when passing, or he can spin in the open field to gain more yards.

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Depth on the O-Line

The backbone of any team is in the trenches, and the health of the offensive line is a temperature gauge for the rest of the squad. If your offensive line is strong and deep, your team can overcome a lot during the season. While guards are important, I believe finding late-round prospects at the tackle position is where a team can find help.

A tackle I will be watching closely over the weekend is Ryan Van Demark from UCONN. He’s a beast with strength and tenacity for the position. I like the way he stays balanced as a blocker, and Van Demark does not overextend himself when going for a block against a speedier rusher. When facing power rushers, Van Demark can handle himself with power. He also loves to put an extra shot in whenever he can, within the rules of course but just know Van Demark plays with a mean streak which I love.

Thank you UConn Nation for an amazing 4.5 years. More to come… pic.twitter.com/l97LXVNoT8

— Ryan Van Demark (@Ryan_Van_Demark) January 10, 2022

Van Demark could be a fine developmental prospect on the offensive line. Imagine his power, work ethic and athleticism getting honed by an offensive line coach like Mike Munchak. His combination of skill, coupled with Munchak’s coaching, could at least turn Van Demark into a solid swing tackle or even a starter in the NFL.

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Position Switch Players

Players enter the league but sometimes they must change positions to make it in the NFL. The Broncos need to be able to identify these type of players – which they can find at the Shrine Bowl. One of the most versatile players in college football is Hawaii running back/wide receiver/kick returner/Wildcat quarterback Calvin Turner Jr. Not only did he play on offense, but Turner has experience playing defensive back as well. He also was a basketball player and competed at track when he was a prep. Turner is an athlete with speed, vision and ankle-breaking ability.

The Broncos need a player like Turner because he’s a threat to score anytime he touches the ball from anywhere on the field. Today’s game is all about being creative. That’s why you see guys like former wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson making more plays as a running back for the Atlanta Falcons. While he didn’t really pan out as a receiver in his pro career, Patterson brings a ton of value to the field now that he’s playing running back. However, there are still times he can line up at wide receiver – which makes a defense pay attention. Patterson can also be used effectively as a return man. Turner could be this type of player in the NFL.

Calvin Turner Jr could be the ONLY player in CFB history to have 1K in these categories 🤯 @_ctjr

PASS: 1,176 YDS
RUSH: 3,422 YDS
REC: 1,200 YDS
RETURN: 910 YDS

(per @hisportsfans, via @HawaiiFootball)pic.twitter.com/9RYucgWLb9

— Overtime (@overtime) November 3, 2021

Some players are just fun to watch. That’s Turner’s game because of his explosive playmaking ability. The Broncos have playmakers on offense, but having more weapons is never a bad thing. Turner could help on offense, but he could really shine as a return man on special teams. It’s been years since the Broncos have had a returner who is a dangerous threat – and Turner can also be effective on offense as well as a runner or receiver. I hope the Broncos have Turner on their watch list.

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