Tag: pre-draft visit

Broncos met with WR Henry Ruggs at NFL combine

The Broncos met with Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs at the NFL combine this week.

The Denver Broncos met with Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs at the NFL combine this week, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.

Ruggs (6-0, 190 pounds) is a speedy receiver who caught 86 passes for 1,487 yards and 18 touchdowns during his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. Ruggs is widely considered one of the top WRs in this year’s draft class and he has been a popular pick for the Broncos in mock drafts.

Ruggs has been mocked to Denver by USA TODAY, Draft Wire and ESPN’s Mel Kiper in recent months. The WR hasn’t put much stock in those mocks, though.

“I don’t pay too much attention to it,” Ruggs said of mock drafts at the combine Tuesday, via KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. “I just feel like [if I] go out and show [well] at the combine and my pro day then the organization has to make their decisions and wherever I end up I have to make myself comfortable and develop that trust with the coaching staff and the players.”

The draft will take place in Las Vegas from April 23-25. The Broncos are projected to have 12 picks, including seven in the first four rounds.

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Broncos spoke with TE Stephen Sullivan at Senior Bowl

The Broncos spoke with LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan after a Senior Bowl practice this week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan after a Senior Bowl practice on Jan. 21, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Campbell considers Sullivan to be the 11th-best tight end in this year’s class.

Sullivan (6-5, 242 pounds) spent time at both tight end and wide receiver with the Tigers. During his three years at LSU, Sullivan caught 46 passes for 712 yards and four touchdowns.

Denver selected tight end Noah Fant in the first round of last year’s draft and will likely add at least one more tight end this offseason. Jake Butt has struggled to stay healthy and Jeff Heuerman hasn’t quite lived up to his third-round draft status in recent seasons.

Campbell predicts that Sullivan will be selected sometime between the fourth and sixth rounds of April’s draft. Denver is projected to have four selections in that part of the draft — Sullivan might be among the mid-round candidates the team is considering.

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Broncos spoke with kicker Rodrigo Blankenship at Senior Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship after a Senior Bowl practice this week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship after a Senior Bowl practice on Jan. 21, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Blankenship is widely considered one of the top kickers in this year’s NFL draft class.

After converting 27-of-33 field goal attempts as a senior, he earned All-SEC first-team honors from the Associated Press in 2019 and won the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker.

During his four years as the Bulldogs’ kicker, Blankenship was a perfect 200-of-200 on extra point attempts and converted 82.5 percent of his field goal attempts (80-of-97), accounting for 440 points.

He kicked in four different bowl games, including the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. Blankenship converted a 51-yard field goal in overtime of that national championship game but Georgia went on to lose to Alabama 26-23.

Last summer, the Broncos signed kicker Taylor Bertolet in the spring but he didn’t even make it through training camp before being cut.

Brandon McManus probably isn’t in danger of losing his job but Denver might bring in some competition this summer. McManus converted 29-of-34 field goal attempts and 25-of-26 extra point attempts in 2019.

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Broncos spoke with WR Quartney Davis at Senior Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Texas A&M wide receiver Quartney Davis after a Senior Bowl practice this week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with Texas A&M wide receiver Quartney Davis after a Senior Bowl practice on Jan. 21, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Campbell considers Davis the 23rd-best wide receiver in this year’s draft class.

Davis (6-2, 200 pounds) caught 54 passes for 616 yards and four touchdowns as a junior in 2019. That was somewhat of a disappointing season after he caught 45 passes for 585 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018. Some scouts probably hoped to see a bigger jump in production last season.

After trading away Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders over the last two years, Denver needs more depth at wide receiver. New offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur may use three WRs frequently. Courtland Sutton is an excellent WR but the Broncos will need more playmakers.

Campbell has predicted that Davis will be selected between the third and fifth rounds of April’s draft. Denver is projected to have six picks in that section of the draft and Campbell might be one of their targets.

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Broncos spoke with OL Cameron Clark at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Charlotte offensive lineman Cameron Clark at an East-West Shrine Bowl practice last week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with Charlotte 49ers offensive lineman Cameron Clark after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice on Jan. 15, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Clark will likely be a late-round candidate or undrafted free agent prospect in April.

Clark (6-5, 294 pounds) was a three-year starter for the 49ers and was named the team’s Offensive MVP in 2017. The two-time team captain played in 49 games, a school record. Clark earned First Team All-Conference USA honors as a senior in 2019.

Clark spent most of his time at tackle at Charlotte but he might be a candidate to move inside to guard in the NFL. With the future of Ron Leary uncertain, Denver could use more depth at guard. The Broncos could also use more depth at tackle because of Ja’Wuan James‘ injury concerns.

Denver is projected to have five selections in the final three rounds of the draft — Clark might be among the late-round candidates the team is considering. The draft will be held in Las Vegas from April 23–25.

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Broncos spoke with DL Michael Danna at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Michigan defensive lineman Michael Danna after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice last week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with Michigan defensive lineman Michael Danna after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice on Jan. 14, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

After three standout years at Central Michigan, Danna (6-2, 261 pounds) transferred to Michigan before his senior season in 2019. During his time with the Chippewas, Danna totaled 151 tackles — including 27.5 tackles for losses — and 15 sacks, including a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2018.

As a senior with the Wolverines, Danna recorded 38 tackles and three sacks. He also forced one fumble. Danna was a defensive end in college but he could likely transition to being a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.

Bradley Chubb and Von Miller will both return for the 2020 season but Denver will need more depth behind them. Danna, who is projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent prospect, could be among the players the Broncos are considering for more depth at outside linebacker.

The draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 23–25.

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Broncos spoke with guard Cordel Iwuagwu at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos spoke with guard Cordel Iwuagwu at the East-West Shrine Bowl last week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with TCU guard Cordel Iwuagwu after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice on Jan. 13, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Iwuagwu is the 28th-best guard in this year’s class, according to DraftCountdown.com.

Given his ranking among players at his position, Iwuagwa is probably a late-round draft prospect. The Broncos are projected to have five selections in the final three rounds of the draft — Iwuagwu might be among their late-round targets.

Iwuagwu (6-3, 311 pounds) was a left guard for the Horned Frogs and started 18-straight games from 2017-2018 before suffering an injury. He has battled injuries throughout his college career but managed to stay on the field for all 12 contests as a senior in 2019.

Denver could save close to $8.5 million by moving on from Ron Leary this offseason, a move that wouldn’t be surprising. Iwuagwu would be unlikely to replace Leary in the starting lineup but he could provide depth at guard.

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Broncos spoke with DB Elijah Riley at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Army defensive back Elijah Riley at the East-West Shrine Bowl last week.

The Broncos spoke with Army defensive back Elijah Riley after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice on Jan. 13, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Riley is projected to be a late-round pick in this year’s NFL draft.

Riley (6-0, 205 pounds) spent time at both cornerback and safety during his four seasons with the Black Knights. He totaled 201 tackles — including 17.5 tackles for losses — 6.5 sacks and seven interceptions in college. Riley also broke up 21 passes, returned a fumble for a touchdown and forced three fumbles for Army’s defense.

Denver cornerback Chris Harris set to become an unrestricted free agent in March and the Broncos will undoubtedly add several cornerbacks to the roster this offseason. Even if Harris is re-signed, Denver will need more depth.

Riley could be a key special teams player and versatile rotational defensive back on defense. The Broncos are projected to have final selections in the final three rounds of the draft.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver select a player like Riley to add competition at cornerback this summer.

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Broncos spoke with QB Kevin Davidson at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos were spotted talking with quarterback Kevin Davidson at the East-West Shrine Bowl last week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with Princeton quarterback Kevin Davidson after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice on Jan. 13, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. He is expected to be a late-round prospect or undrafted free agent candidate in April.

Davidson (6-4, 225 pounds) completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,569 yards with 20 touchdowns against six interceptions in 10 games as a senior. He went 6-of-11 passing for 51 yards in the East’s 31-27 win over the West squad on Saturday afternoon.

If the Broncos choose not to bring back Joe Flacco this offseason, Denver will likely sign a veteran free agent to serve as Drew Lock‘s backup. A younger, third-string quarterback will likely get a spot on the practice squad. Brandon Allen, 27, will become a free agent in March.

Brett Rypien seems to be the favorite to serve as the Broncos’ third-string QB in 2020 but the team will probably bring in some camp competition. Davidson may be among the candidates for the QB3 job.

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