10 Defensive Upgrades for Broncos at Pick 12 in 2024 NFL Draft

If the Denver Broncos don't take a quarterback in Round 1, what options are available to upgrade the defense?

As the Denver Broncos start looking to improve the roster, one of the focuses will be finding more consistency on defense. The Broncos had severe issues against the run, ranking 29th in EPA/run, averaging 137.1 rushing yards allowed per game. 

There were also issues with the consistency of their pass rush, lacking a top guy, and most of their pressures coming off the back of blitzing. They ranked  30th in EPA when rushing four players but were in the top half when they rushed more. Their 35% blitz rate was the fifth-highest in the NFL this season. 

While they were solid in the secondary, they can use an option opposite Patrick Surtain. They also could do with solidifying their coverage ability from the linebacker position. No matter where you look on the defense, the Broncos can use a player. They lacked talent, and that was reflected in their hyper-inconsistency this season. 

Jared Verse | Edge | Florida State

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The Broncos need to find a legit top guy in the edge room. Denver has great depth, with second, third, and fourth options already on the team, though two of them are entering the final year of their respective contracts. Could Verse be that top guy?

Verse's explosion off the snap is outstanding, and he does well to convert that into power. He has the short area burst and suddenness to effectively work around blockers. There is a good technique in deconstructing blocks and sound technique with his pass-rush moves.

Despite the burst, explosion, and athleticism, Verse has concerns about his flexibility and change of direction. There also isn't great strength or power to consistently drive through blockers, but there is enough to drop an anchor to set the edge against the run and the ability to shed to make the play.

Verse is an option if the Broncos stick at 12, as he currently sits in the 10-20 range. 

Dallas Turner | Edge | Alabama

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Turner is another potential top guy, widely viewed as the top edge rusher. He's explosive and does well as a pass rusher and run defender. The technique and pass rush plan must be more developed and consistent, but he has the tools to work with.

The explosion is great, but Turner has to figure out how to turn that into power consistently, especially for the NFL. His effectiveness took a significant hit when he worked out of a three-point stance compared to a two-point stance, which will hurt his versatility in NFL teams. You want more violence in the play of edge rushers, which Turner doesn't offer, and can create issues in the NFL.

Turner is viewed as a top-10 prospect, and of course, that can change. He might be there for the Broncos at 12, or they may have to move up a little for him. 

Chop Robinson | Edge | Penn State

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Robinson brings good versatility to work in different stances and up and down the defensive line. He has good explosions and bursts to close space quickly on the ball carrier. 

While Robinson doesn't have ideal athletic traits or power that teams love to see, he wins with sound technique and energy to overwhelm blockers as a pass rusher and run defender.

There isn't an ideal size or length with Robinson, which can make his life a little more difficult in the NFL. He has to work on his hand technique and placement to make his pass-rush attacks more effective and sustain his edge more consistently. 

Without an elite trait and lacking ideal length, Robinson's margin for error is smaller than most of the other edges in the class. He should be there at 12, but the question is whether Denver can move back and still nab him, as his projected range has been 15-25.

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Terrion Arnold | CB | Alabama

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The Broncos still need to cement the cornerback spot opposite Patrick Surtain II. Denver didn't get the needed development out of Damarri Mathis, and Riley Moss hardly saw the field. 

Fabian Moreau did alright, at times, but showed why he is a journeyman corner. The good news is there are plenty of options in the draft.

Arnold is a versatile defensive back who started as a safety before moving to corner. His play has a boom-or-bust element, having allowed four touchdowns with six interceptions and 20 pass break-ups over the last two seasons. 

Arnold is fluid in coverage, has good athleticism, and is aggressive and physical with his play. Being as versatile as he is has hurt his ability to develop in one position fully, but he took significant strides as a boundary corner as the 2023-2024 season went on. 

He also can play in any coverage scheme, but Arnold has to speed up his processor to be more effective when working in zone. Arnold is one of the best corners in the class and is often viewed as better than his teammate. Picking him 12 overall may be high, as his range is 15-25. 

Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson

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Wiggins is a long, lean corner playing the ball extremely well in coverage. He has good eye discipline in the zone, with a quick processor, and can change his direction quickly to close on the ball. 

Wiggins' mirror in off-man coverage is great, and his lower body mechanics are clean and disciplined. His lean frame is going to cause multiple concerns among NFL teams. 

Sometimes, Wiggins struggles to make the tackle in space because he doesn't have a great frame and shouldn't be asked to work in press coverage often. The body mechanics must be cleaned up, as he can play tall in coverage.

While Wiggins isn't viewed as a top guy at the corner, he is in the second group of corners and has had a range of 20-32. 

Cooper DeJean | CB | Iowa

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The play on special teams as a returner has been special during DeJean's time at Iowa. His play at corner has also been great, and his versatility is why he is in the conversation for the top guy at the position. 

There are no questions about DeJean's size or athleticism for the NFL, and his technique, from top to bottom, is super clean when working in zone coverage, as is his discipline. However, there are questions about his best position in the NFL, but there is no reason he shouldn't get a shot at corner to see if he can work there before being moved. 

DeJean wasn't asked to play man coverage often, and the few times he did, it wasn't the best. Wherever he ends up, he would have to develop his mirror and techniques in man coverage, which could push him down for man coverage-heavy teams.

DeJean is one of the top guys, and his range has been 10-20, so he could be an option for the Broncos at 12 overall. 

Jer'Zhan Newton | DL | Illinois

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Zach Allen needs help on the defensive line, and a lot of it. The Broncos need to completely re-work the unit. 

Newton is slightly undersized but works so well as a one-gapping pass rusher. He plays with high energy that's contagious to those around him. While there are concerns with his run defense, he finds ways to shoot gaps to cause disruption.

The lack of size and mass does create more issues in the run game, which is the biggest issue with the Broncos' defensive line, making the Newton fit a little questionable. His energy and eagerness can get him into trouble, drawing penalties for jumping early. 

There are few concerns about Newton's ability to bring interior pass rush ability, but he can struggle to break down blocks against more powerful interior blockers. His draft stop has been all over the place and should solidify over the coming months. He has been as high as the top 15 to as low as in the second round. 

Leonard Taylor III | DL | Miami

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Taylor isn't as highly rated as Newton, but he might be a better fit for the Broncos to work next to Allen. He can hold his own as a run blocker while working through blocks as a pass rusher. Taylor is more of a well-rounded defender compared to Newton, but his stock has been in the 20s so far.

Taylor's size, mass, and length are expected to be within the range teams want from interior defensive linemen. He's a quick processor and should impress during interviews/meetings with teams during the draft process. His technique has a solid base, though work is still needed, and he can deconstruct blocks in both game phases.

There are questions about Taylor's ability to handle double and combo blocks at the NFL level. He also has to have a consistent plan as a pass rusher, as there are issues of him shutting down when his initial attack fails. His change of direction isn't great, leading to problems working laterally against the run. 

Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami

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The status of the Broncos safety room is up in the air. Amid Denver's salary cap overextension, Justin Simmons could be on his way out, P.J. Locke is a free agent, and Caden Sterns is returning from a very concerning injury. With or without Simmons, who's also in the final year of his deal, the need for safety is high.

Kinchens is a highly versatile defender who can play any safety role and even drop into the slot. He has excellent range and can work as a center-field type safety, but he also can come down and work in the box in run support or take on tight ends in coverage. His defense has a physicality that can help set the tone and fire up his teammates.

Overall, Kinchens' discipline needs to be developed. He can get caught up with his movement in zone coverages and lose eye discipline. 

There is a lot of wasted movement, and his drifting in coverage can create cleaner throwing windows than there should be. His testing could put him squarely in the first round. 

Tyler Nubin | S | Minnesota

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Tyler Nubin is a playmaker in the secondary, and the Broncos can use more help there, especially if Simmons isn't back with the team and they lose what he brings there. Nubin has a nose for the ball and good ball skills to make the necessary plays. 

He has good versatility, though his athletic profile isn't great and will limit his range in the NFL. Nubin works well coming downhill against the run, but sometimes, he can trigger a tad late. 

There isn't great recovery athleticism, which makes Nubin's late trigger an even more significant concern. If he can show better athleticism with the testing, he can shoot into the top 25, but for now, he's projected to be drafted in the 30-40 range, mainly due to his ball skills and physicality. 

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