5 DL Sleepers to Upgrade Broncos' Sorry Run Defense

The Denver Broncos badly need to improve against the run and the 2024 NFL draft has a few sleepers who could help.

George County DL McKinnley Jackson in action vs Brandon. Uscp 77e8zjbkkbnvgdbhr40 Original / Jared Thomas / For the Mississippi

The Denver Broncos' defensive line was a disaster last year. Nobody from the unit produced consistently except Zach Allen.

The Broncos couldn’t stop the run, their pass rush was non-existent, and several quality options must be brought in to stop the bleeding. One could argue that the Broncos need defensive line help almost as much as they need to find a quarterback of the future. 

Fortunately, this year’s defensive line class has some talent, with several options expected to be available in the later rounds. Let's examine five sleepers who make a lot of sense for the Broncos.

Marcus Harris | Auburn

Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Marcus Harris (50) breaks through the line during the A-Day spring / Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pros

Bringing good bursts and active hands to the defensive line, Harris is a quality run defender who slips into gaps with a good first step. He flashes a great push-pull technique to throw blockers aside and penetrate the backfield as a disruptor in the running game, as well as a nice swim move.

Leverage comes easy from his powerful base, and he can hold ground against double teams. Harris has a ton of experience, with 36 starts over the past three seasons, and this is evident in his play recognition.

Cons

Harris is undersized and lacks length but has the frame to add more mass and power. Powerful blockers can displace him laterally if he doesn’t get his feet set due to a lack of lateral agility.

Harris is limited as a pass rusher due to a lack of natural bend in his lower half, and he needs to learn how to use his counter moves earlier in the rep to create separation. His footwork is labored on twists and stunts, and he will likely be limited to a two-down player in an even front scheme.

My Grade: Round 5

Erick Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 125

McKinnley Jackson | Texas A&M

Oct 23, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

An explosive nose tackle with pass-rush upside, Jackson has a great first step that allows him to stun blockers combined with his powerful hands. He’s strong as a bull and violent, showing a great base and leg drive in his bull rush.

Balance is a strong suit, and Jackson is rarely on the ground, but he shows good patience and form as a tackler. Teams that run a penetration-style defensive front will love his tape, and he could become a three-down player at the next level.

Cons

Jackson will need to develop his hand-fighting techniques and timing. His arms will stop for too long after initial contact, and he can be late in disengaging from blockers to make plays.

Jackson can get overwhelmed when taking on double teams and lacks the length to be a space eater against the run. His lower body is stiff, and he lacks lateral agility when doing stunts.

My Grade: Round 4

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 132

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Brandon Dorlus | Oregon

Sep 17, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus (3) celebrates after a / Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

A versatile and experienced player with 40 career starts, Dorlus fits multiple schemes. He has enough mass and power to play as a 3-4 defensive lineman (though he may need to add more in the NFL) and enough athleticism and length to play as a 4-3 defensive end as a 7-technique.

Dorlus' motor runs hot, he has active hands, and he constantly looks to make plays in the backfield. The way he ties his footwork to his hands as a pass rusher is beautiful to watch.

Cons

Dorlus has issues matching power with power, and his hand placement could be better. He can get too high coming out of his stance, allowing blockers to move him backward.

Dorlus' base can be too narrow, and he lacks the lateral agility to cross blockers' faces when making countermoves. Inconsistency hurts his tape and production, and he needs to build a better repertoire of pass-rush moves to add to his arsenal.

My Grade: Round 4

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 153

DeWayne Carter | Duke

Sep 3, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers quarterback Chris Reynolds (3) throws / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Leadership and production define Carter as Duke's first three-time team captain. He’s a linear penetrating pass rusher with a good first step and lateral agility off the snap.

Carter uses his length well to disengage from blockers and throw counter moves, including a nifty spin move. His pads stay low, and he can generate a lot of leverage, especially on the outside when going against offensive tackles. 

Cons

Carter is a much better pass rusher than a run defender, and there are issues with snap timing that cause him to get overwhelmed early in the down. His lower half lacks power, and he can get bullied by combo blocks in the running game.

His lack of lateral foot speed against zone runs causes him to get lost behind the play, and blockers can drive him downfield as the play progresses. 

My Grade: Round 5

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 199

Gabe Hall | Baylor

Oct 2, 2021; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Baylor Bears defensive lineman Gabe Hall (95) waits for the / Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Hall has the prototypical size and length to become a solid player at the NFL level, flashing a quality swim move and a good first step. His hands are active enough to help create separation as a pass rusher, and he drives upfield well when he keeps his pad level in check.

While Hall needs a ton of work to become more consistent, Hall has the tools to be a solid depth piece at the next level with better coaching.

Cons

Hall lacks power for a player his size and can get bullied around the field. His run defense is lackluster and inconsistent, and he needs to refine his technical background to take the next step as a player.

Even though Hall has a nice swim move, his hands are slow and laboring, and he struggles to disconnect from blockers. Pad-level inconsistencies on his tape allow blockers to get underneath and drive him backward, and he lacks lateral agility and bend in his lower half when rushing the passer. 

My Grade: Round 7

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 263

Given the Vance Joseph scheme and the holes that need to be filled, Jackson and Carter make a lot of sense for the Broncos in the later rounds. The Broncos need to fill the void left by the departure of Mike Purcell, and they need another 3-5 technique interior defensive lineman that can get after the quarterback.

While Carter struggles against the run, most of those issues are coachable hand techniques he needs to learn to be more consistent. Jackson can ramp up the pass rush along the interior, and his penetrating play style fits perfectly with what Joseph likes to do against the run.

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