Best players still available on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft
Apr 30, 2022, 8:16 AM
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton made me quite happy on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft. They didn’t have a first-round pick, and their first pick at No. 64 overall was a spot I thought they’d trade up from. I even wrote at DenverFan.com that in order to get a pass-rusher like Nik Bonitto in the second round they would have to move up.
Denver did no such thing, and they were able to stay at the end of the second round and select Bonitto. He was one of my favorite players in this draft, and to get him without moving up was a great occurrence for the Broncos. They followed that up with a third-round pick who could be a starter for them in 2022 when they selected UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich.
Now, entering day three of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Broncos are looking for certain positions to fill and add better depth. There are still some favorites of mine on the board, and players the Broncos should be considering in rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
After two rounds on Friday, Paton indicated he almost traded back into round three.
“We almost traded back in. There are about six players that we really like and we figured one of them will be there when we’re picking. We have two four’s back-to-back, and I think we’ll be okay. I think tomorrow is going to be fun,” Paton said.
Here are five favorites of mine for the Broncos in day three of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Jaylen Watson | CB | Washington State
The secondary should be a focus for the Broncos on day three – Paton said as much at his press conference on Friday night. I fully expect the Broncos to add players at both cornerback and safety to improve the depth and potentially find players who can develop into starters in the future. On Day 3 of the draft, I want at least one skill set that is unique – like length or speed (and if you’re lucky, both). Jaylen Watson has length that others don’t possess and could be a fourth-round pick for the Broncos.
Other options at cornerback: Tariq Woolen (UTSA), Kalon Barnes (Baylor)
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Ty Chandler | RB | North Carolina
The Broncos have plenty of “thunder” in the backfield with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon reprising their 2021 roles. How about a little (or a lot) bit of lightning? Williams came from North Carolina, and his college teammate Ty Chandler would be a fine change-of-pace option for the Broncos, and they could add him in the seventh round. Chandler has plenty of speed and contact balance to his game to use him as a runner, receiver and on special teams.
Other options at running back: Keaontay Ingram (USC), Jerome Ford (Cincinnati)
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Matt Waletzko | OT | North Dakota
Paton wants to address the offensive tackle position at some point. The tackle position dried up quickly in this draft, but there are some small school players who I think would fit the bill for the Broncos. They are running a zone-blocking scheme with West Coast concepts under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett, so I’m looking for players with the prerequisite athleticism for this scheme. Matt Waletzko in the sixth round is a player they could target.
Other options at offensive tackle: Braxton Jones (Southern Utah),
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Tariq Carpenter | S/LB | Georgia Tech
On day three of the draft, teams want to find the most bang for their buck. I think you can do that with players who can play multiple positions. The safety position is being coveted in this draft class with 10 safeties already off the board after three rounds. The Broncos may be able to find a safety who can play linebacker and special teams as well. To me, Tariq Carpenter in the fifth round makes sense.
Other options at safety: Smoke Monday (Auburn), Bubba Bolden (Miami)
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Charleston Rambo | WR | Miami
It may surprise some people, but the Broncos could be in the market for a wide receiver late in this draft. That may be a shock given the breadth of talent at the position, but Denver is looking for a return man who could be a receiver. I like getting receivers who can run routes and make plays after the catch in addition to special teams ability – not just return guys who don’t help on offense. That ability and skill set defines Charleston Rambo from the University of Miami who I have graded as a sixth-round pick.
Other options at wide receiver: Reggie Roberson (SMU), Khalil Shakir (Boise State)
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