5 Late-Round Sleepers the Denver Broncos Should Target in 2015 NFL Draft
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Even after Peyton Manning restructured his contract, the Denver Broncos have been unable to retain key players this offseason. Although Manning may be ready to make one more run at a title, the Broncos need to start building for the future. Roster depth will be critical for Denver to stay in the playoff hunt, so the team needs to find players who can contribute late in the draft. Here are five sleepers the Broncos should target on Day 3.
5. David Parry (DT-Stanford)
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5. David Parry (DT-Stanford)
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With Terrance Knighton headed to the Washington Redskins, the Broncos are without a big man in the middle of the defensive line. There are a few defensive tackles who would be a great fit in Round 1, but David Parry is a name to watch in Round 6 or 7. At 308 pounds, he's not the biggest nose tackle available, but there aren't many 330-pound DTs who have the power Parry does. He may not be a starter, but he should have a long career.
4. Chris Jasperse (C-Marshall)
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4. Chris Jasperse (C-Marshall)
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The Broncos have already replaced offensive lineman Orlando Franklin with Shelley Smith. That leaves the center position as the biggest need on the line. Will Montgomery could still return, but Manny Ramirez is a capable replacement. Either way, the team needs to get younger, and spending a late-round pick on a four-year starter like Chris Jasperse would be wise. After playing at Marshall, he'll fit right in with Denver's pass-heavy offense.
3. Donatella Luckett (WR-Harding)
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3. Donatella Luckett (WR-Harding)
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All of a sudden, the Broncos are lacking receivers. TE Julius Thomas is now in Jacksonville and WR Wes Welker is unlikely to return. 2014 second-round pick Cody Latimer will be expected to play a big role, but he's unproven. Donatella Luckett is a small-school prospect who can play outside, in the slot and on special teams as a returner. The Broncos would select Luckett hoping he can play the role of Welker in a year or two.
2. Kurtis Drummond (CB-Michigan State)
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2. Kurtis Drummond (CB-Michigan State)
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Kurtis Drummond saw his stock drop tremendously this season. His statistics look good, but the fact is he was flat out beat several times this year. He's typically decent in coverage, but he just doesn't have the speed to cover vertical routes. Baylor exposed this multiple times in the Cotton Bowl. He played much better in 2013 when corners Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes were both able to play on an island.
1. Chris Bonner (QB-Colorado State-Pueblo)
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1. Chris Bonner (QB-Colorado State-Pueblo)
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When the Broncos drafted Brock Osweiler in Round 2 back in 2012, he was expected to be the heir apparent to Peyton Manning. Now, he's entering the final year of his contract and has yet to start a game in the NFL. Unless Osweiler's contract is extended before the draft, Denver needs to draft a QB. Chris Bonner, who played his college ball less than two hours away from Denver, is a perfect fit. He would replace Osweiler as Manning's successor.
Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Brock Osweiler was recently offered a $45 million contract by the Denver Broncos, so you would think he'd want to be on his best behavior. Instead, in a new TMZ video, Osweiler, 25, was recently seen pushing a woman while holding a box of (delicious) pizza.
