Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio likes big defensive linemen. And there are some big defensive linemen to choose from in the NFL Draft. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post)
Today's question about the Broncos comes from Greg Madic. To submit a question for consideration, send an e-mail to The Denver Post's Jeff Legwold.
Q: Who do you predict will be new Broncos players in this spring's NFL draft?
A: Greg, things have fallen pretty well for the Broncos in the NFL Draft. Their positions of greatest need are also, for the most part, the positions of greatest strength on the draft board.
And that means Denver can be patient, not reach, and still fill several spots on the depth chart while maintaining the always more prudent best-player-available approach.
The Broncos have certainly done legwork already, but they won't begin slotting players in earnest, at least in terms of preparation for the draft weekend, until after the scouting combine and on-campus pro days.
But this draft is deep on the defensive and offensive lines ? certainly two places the Broncos will be looking. They need interior players in both defensive tackles on defense and guards on offense.
At defensive tackle, the Broncos won't likely be picking early enough for Florida's Shariff Floyd or Missouri's Sheldon Richardson. But there are plenty of quality prospects at DT later in the first round and beyond.
And many fit the bigger-is-better philosophy of Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
Alabama's Jesse Williams, who scouts have at about 320 pounds, is one. So is Georgia's John Jenkins, a 355-pounder many teams have slotted as a nose tackle in a 3-4 look. And North Carolina's Sylvester Williams always draws attention.
Among some of the players from smaller programs who will get a look are Missouri Southern's Brandon Williams, a 340-pounder who attracts attention from 3-4 teams; and Montori Hughes from Tennessee-Martin.
Hughes comes with some question marks because he was dismissed from the University of Tennessee for academic issues and other off-the-field woes before transferring to Tennessee-Martin for his final season. He was also wearing a walking boot at the Senior Bowl.
But with Broncos Justin Bannan and Kevin Vickerson poised for free agency, and a free agency class around the league that's not considered strong overall, the Broncos will have to look hard in the draft.
Many teams don't consider guard a position to address in the draft's opening round, but there are players at the position like North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper and Alabama's Chance Wormack who carry some of highest grades among a deep class overall on the offensive line.
But down the board some Kentucky's Larry Warford, Kent State's Brian Winters, Arkansas's Alvin Bailey and Valdosta State's Edmund Kugbila are all worth a long look. The Broncos could also be looking for right tackle prospects if they indeed move Orlando Franklin inside to guard.
The Broncos need some depth in the interior of the offensive line with Chris Kuper a long-term question mark given another ankle surgery and center J.D. Walton coming off ankle surgery.
Philip Blake, a 2012 draft pick who was on injured reserve this season with a thumb injury, is certainly part of the plan to compete at center, but the Broncos will almost certainly come away with at least one guard in the draft class.
Middle linebacker is another position that will get a look as well. The Broncos surrendered some ill-timed rushing yardage to some of the better offenses they faced this past season and Keith Brooking, a late signing in free agency last August, is 37 and an unrestricted free agent.
Early on Alabama's Nico Johnson is viewed by many as an early-down run stopper, but Nick Saban's players traditionally develop quickly, come in ready to compete and he would fit a situational defense like the Broncos that pulls the middle linebacker out in many situations.
Billy Boyko of Lehigh is also a down-the-board player who looks like the could contribute quickly.
Cornerback, running back and wide receiver, specifically a player who play in both the slot and one of the outside positions will be on the wish list as well.
Jeff Legwold: jlegwold@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jeff_legwold
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