Finding Broncos: 3 Starting CBs to Target After Trade-Down

The Broncos need a partner with Patrick Surtain II, and this is a good class to find one.

Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) celebrates / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

With Patrick Surtain II on one side for the Denver Broncos, they need to find him a partner—someone who can lock down the other side of the field and take the defense to another level. This is a strong corner class, and there are plenty of options throughout the draft. If the Broncos move down from 12 overall, they could look at one of these three to fill that need. So, let’s dive into them and see who would be the best fit. 

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (20) returns an / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Wiggins | Clemson

• Height: 6-foot-1
• Weight: 173 pounds
• Arm Length: 30-1/2 inches
• Hands: 9 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.44

Pros

Wiggins has a reasonable frame and length that can fit additional mass. His backpedal is smooth and athletic with his transitions through different coverages. He has good awareness and sense when working in zone coverage, and his fluid and loose lower half leads to fluid transitions. 

He has good footwork and maintains proper balance through coverage to hang with his assignment. Wiggins does well using the sideline as an extra defender when working outside, which makes life more difficult for receivers. 

There is good recovery athleticism to catch up when he does get shaken in coverage, and he has the speed to carry receivers vertically. He uses the length well to challenge the catch point and shows good ball skills with three interceptions and 14 passes broken up over two years. 

Cons

The technical aspects are there with Wiggins, but he is a liability because of his physicality issues. He won’t bring it against the run and will get bullied by physical receivers throughout their routes. Wiggins is overly passive as a defender, leading to additional yards for the offense. 

He needs to sustain proper position when defending deep shots but will give them space to make the catch. His tackling technique is unreliable, as is his effort when making a tackle. Whenever physicality is needed, Wiggins always falls short in college. 

Fit With Broncos

If the Broncos are playing a lot of off-zone coverage, then Wiggins fits the coverage scheme. However, that has to be the coverage scheme for him to work. Then you have to be willing to deal with the issues of his effort and lack of physicality, which doesn’t match with the Broncos' defensive mindset. 

Big Board Position: No. 30 overall.

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Nov 18, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive back T.J. Tampa (2) looks to tackle / Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Tampa | Iowa State

• Height: 6-foot-1
• Weight: 189 pounds
• Arm Length: 32-1/8 inches
• Hands: 9-5/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 6.34

Pros

Tampa is a tall corner with good arm length, and there is no doubt about his physicality on defense. He offers a strong press, with good technique, to re-route receivers off the snap. His overall technique needs to be developed and improved, but he has an excellent foundation to continue building. 

The physicality is there in every phase and aspect. He is physical at the catch point, through coverage, at the point of attack, as a blitzer, and working through blocks to get involved in the run. His football instincts are great, and receivers have a hard time getting him to bite on route fakes or from offenses getting him to bite on play-action or trick plays. 

There is a good closing burst to catch up from behind or to close on the catch point, with the length to disrupt the catch. He has enough to play in any coverage scheme on the boundary and be successful. 

Cons

Some lower body issues can create hiccups with his transitions. While he has the burst to make up for it, it would be better to clean up those issues for the NFL. He may not be a receiver who can carry receivers vertically as he doesn’t have great long speed and can fall behind vertically. 

Despite his physicality, his tackling technique is inconsistent and he can fall off his attempts. Quick and shifty receivers can lose him in coverage due to his transition issues and make a big play. This is also an issue if the ball carrier gets to teh second level and has to make a play in space. 

Fit With Broncos

T.J. Tampa would be a good fit for what the Broncos do and what they need on defense. He has the scheme versatility to work, and there are no questions about his physicality. While there may be some issues early, pairing him with Surtain can help Tampa develop by having such a clean mechanical and technical corner under which to learn. 

Big Board Position: No. 43 overall.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) tackles / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Kool-Aid McKinstry | Alabama

• Height: 5-foot11.5
• Weight: 199 pounds
• Arm Length: 32 inches
• Hands: 8-1/2 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 7.55

Pros

McKinstry has a high football IQ and has some clean technique when working in press coverage. There is good experience under his belt, and he is entering the NFL as a well-developed player. He is a good enough athlete for the NFL and sustains good balance. With his football IQ, he does well when mirroring receivers through man coverage. 

He excels when defending certain routes and works his way back to the ball on those routes better than many receivers. His football IQ shows with how he reads receivers and picks up on tells through their routes, which helps keep him in phase. 

His quick acceleration and excellent burst help him recover and consistently attack the catch point. His play has calmness, poise, and patience, especially when timing his jumps on routes. 

Cons

The burst and acceleration are great, but he doesn’t have ideal long speed, which can create issues carrying receivers down the field. When tasked with being a run defender, McKinstry won’t always engage and instead be content fading away from the play. That mentality will need to go out the window at the NFL level. 

He can be caught taking it easy in coverage, allowing a big play, and failing to bring down ball carriers due to some questionable effort as a tackler. There are also medical concerns with him, one of which was discovered at the combine and has sidelined him throughout the draft process. His scheme fits are limited to press-man. 

Fit With Broncos

If the Broncos want to play to Surtain’s strengths, press-man coverage is the route they want to go. That would be an excellent fit for McKinstry, but the lack of scheme versatility could create issues. The Broncos want to play press-man but had to play more zone in  2023 due to heavy dosing of blitzing due to being unable to win with four up front. 

Big Board Position: No. 86 overall.

Better Fit for Broncos

The best fit depends on what the Broncos end up running with their coverage scheme. An off-zone heavy scheme means Wiggins, but the lack of physicality isn’t ideal for any scheme. Then, if they want to play press-man, McKinstry is a fine fit, but he has similar issues against the run as Wiggins does. T.J. Tampa is the most versatile of the bunch but also needs the most development. 

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