Cecil Lammey highlights draft fits for the Broncos at QB, RB and WR
Apr 1, 2022, 5:01 PM
This week, Cecil Lammey began his position-by-position breakdowns of the class of 2022. The series will lead all the way up to the NFL Draft and is a must-read every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He offers a look at the market as a whole, offers his list of sleepers and provides recommendations on who would be a good fit for the Broncos.
This week, Cecil kicked things off in a big way. He focused on quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.
The Broncos may seem set at those positions. After all, they have Russell Wilson, Javonte Williams, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy currently filling those roles. But there’s always a need for depth. There’s always a reason to keep an eye on the future.
Who did Cecil think would make sense in orange and blue. Here’s a breakdown:
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Quarterbacks
Skylar Thompson of Kansas State is the player the Broncos should target on day three of the NFL Draft. The Broncos offense is going to be built around Wilson, and I think Thompson’s game does match up to the veteran quarterback to a certain degree.
Thompson is a true dual-threat quarterback. Only Willis could be in that category as well this year because most passers (Pickett, Corral, etc) are good-to-very-good as runners. Willis is great. Thompson is great. Any team that embraces his rushing ability, like Hackett’s offense should embrace Wilson’s rushing ability, could get a fine quarterback in Thompson.
I like his ability to run the ball, but there are times when Thompson is too quick to abandon the designed play because he likes to take off to run. It’s a great weapon for him in his toolbox, but there are times when better pocket patience is needed. This is why Thompson will be a day-three pick.
Don’t look at his modest numbers and overlook his game – and how Thompson fits what the NFL wants to do at quarterback. Thompson is not going to fit every system, and he’s not going to challenge for a starting job for a few years at least. With Wilson here for five to seven years (at least), the Broncos could develop then trade a guy like Thompson to a quarterback needy team.
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Running Backs
There are a couple of different “fits” that I think would be best for the Broncos. Most are trying to find the Broncos a change-of-pace back, and I get that. Fans want to see a “thunder and lightning” backfield with Javonte Williams and a rookie. I’m not against that, but I don’t think that’s the only choice for the Broncos at the running back position. I think the team could use a banger behind Williams, even as a No. 3 back behind Mike Boone (who already is a fine change-of-pace back).
Kyren Williams (Notre Dame) has drawn some comparisons to James White (Patriots) by some in the scouting community. He certainly has the receiving ability of White, but I think Williams is a better runner. A Williams-and-Williams backfield for the Broncos (sounds like a law firm) would give them the best of both worlds. In fact, the Notre Dame back is such a receiving threat that he could line up in the slot while Javonte Williams is in the backfield.
I must put Rachaad White from Arizona State in this section. Again, this is a talent-laden group of backs even though we may not see one picked on day 1 of the draft. White is a back who could go off the board before the Broncos first pick at No. 64 overall, but I have to include him here because I appreciate his game so much. White has build-up speed and knows how to use jump cuts to make defenders miss. He is a patient runner and a dangerous receiver who has the body control to adjust to what a defense throws at him as the play is unfolding.
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Wide Receivers
The Broncos have a ton of talent at the wide receiver position. This means they don’t need to look for talent at the position early in the draft, and some would make the argument they don’t need to draft a wide receiver at all.
Stanley Berryhill III was a standout player at the University of Arizona. I saw him at the practices for the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this year and came away impressed. He backed up what he showed on film, and that was mainly the consistency as a primary target.
Berryhill sets up his routes nicely, and he doesn’t waste time at the beginning of his route. I love his footwork, and he’s got incredible foot frequency which allows him to take a hit and keep his balance to continue running after the catch. He can score from anywhere on the field, and Berryhill is one of the best special teams players in this class. Adding receiver depth and at least getting a quality return man would be a great plan for the receiver rich Broncos.
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Check out DenverFan.com next week, as Cecil breaks down tight ends (Tuesday), centers (Wednesday) and guards (Thursdsay).
