For the primary time in 4 seasons, the Denver Broncos don’t personal a draft choose within the first half of the primary spherical. When Denver was selecting within the top-15, previewing the NFL draft was simple as the highest prospects within the class have been comparatively recognized.
With the Broncos not happening the clock for the primary time till choose 64, because of the offseason acquisition of franchise quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks, it is anybody’s guess which prospects will likely be on the board when George Paton goes on the clock.
Selecting at slot 64 is not all dangerous, because the Broncos ought to nonetheless have an opportunity to draft a direct contributor. In fact, the percentages of touchdown a real difference-maker that might alter the franchise diminishes the additional a staff selects from No. 1 total.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, Denver’s entrance workplace, which earned the award for the “finest draft class of 2021,” ought to hopefully draft some thrilling expertise. If Denver bides its time and waits till 64 to make a choose, relatively than buying and selling again and accumulating extra capital for 2022 and doubtlessly future drafts, what could be the best-case state of affairs?
The reply would fluctuate from individual to individual and even analyst to analyst. Nevertheless, given the positional worth and influence of particular prospects, few stand out.
Will any of those gamers even be there when Denver is on the clock? Nicely, there’s a cause these prospects are thought of “best-case” in any case.
If any of those 5 prospects are there at choose 64, it might be a great state of affairs for the Broncos.
Once more, the Broncos have each an instantly urgent and long-term want on the edge rusher place. After signing Randy Gregory this offseason to a five-year deal to pair with Bradley Chubb, the Broncos are putting a number of pass-rushing stress on a duo that has not confirmed to be essentially the most sturdy throughout their NFL careers thus far.
Moreover, whereas it might be dandy for Chubb to be wholesome and so good that Denver re-signs him, he is a free agent after 2022, which complicates issues, given how little cap the staff is projected to have subsequent offseason at this present cut-off date.
Ebiketie is a twitchy edge rusher with extraordinarily lengthy arms (34-⅛ inches measured on the Mix) regardless of his extra compact body at 6-foot-2.5 and 250 kilos. He transferred from Temple to play for Penn State this previous season.
Ebiketie has a scorching motor and by no means offers up on his move rush or a play, working a number of strikes in a row to battle his approach into the backfield. His shorter peak and lengthy arms are used to his benefit to out-leverage offensive linemen he’s in fight with whereas speeding the passer.
Advertisement
Ebiketie may by no means be a dominating edge-setter within the run recreation, given his body seems to be near maxed out. Nevertheless, he can use his motor, smarts, and wingspan to assist negate that some however energy will possible by no means be his recreation.
Seemingly one of many gamers being chosen within the first fifteen picks on Day 2, given the depth of this edge class, maybe, his age, as he will likely be a 23-year-old rookie, and lack of measurement may make him fall inside hanging distance for the Broncos.
You possibly can learn the complete Discovering Broncos scouting report on Ebiketie right here.
Denver want’s to discover a long-term resolution on the proper sort out place. The one subject is that the Broncos appear to be getting ready themselves for the fact of a fifth draft in a row with out a premium choose made on an offensive sort out as a result of Paton’s latest feedback on the staff likes a number of tackles which are anticipated to go Spherical 1 or early Spherical. Nevertheless, that is about dream situations for the Broncos at choose 64 so let’s dream a contact.
Seemingly falling down draft boards these days, Raimann is likely to be a risk for the Broncos in Spherical 2 as a result of at 6-foot-6, 305-pounds, and with 32-7/8-inch arm size, he may not be for each staff within the league given his lack of size and sure finest slot in a scheme that emphasizes exterior zone.
Advertisement
The Broncos, nevertheless, are anticipated to embrace the skin zone. Whereas the arm size is a priority, given just one sort out performed significant beginning snaps final 12 months with sub-33-inch arms in Indianapolis’ Brendan Smith, that’s the very cause he is likely to be accessible for Denver after they choose at 64.
Raimann might also fall as a result of he’s considerably new to the place, having transitioned over from the tight finish spot, and will likely be 25 years outdated as a rookie. Nevertheless, it’s fairly obvious to see his former tight-end expertise on tape as he’s a easy mover and a great athlete for the sort out place.
Whether or not it’s on the transfer concentrating on defensive gamers in area within the run recreation or match-and-mirror skill as a move protector, Raimann could be a wonderful get for Denver at 64.
You possibly can learn the complete Discovering Broncos scouting report on Raimann right here.
With the 2022 Broncos possible taking part in much more sub-package as a result of the offense ought to be placing up extra factors and pressuring opponents into extra apparent passing conditions, Paton may look to proceed so as to add versatile items to the defensive again seven. Positive, the Broncos have choices at each extensive nook, slot, field, and deep security on the roster, however within the AFC West, the extra high quality choices at defensive again, the higher.
Advertisement
Enter Pitre, who performed final season as legitimately one of the crucial distinctive slot protection choices in school soccer. Whereas he doesn’t possess a hulking body or size from the place at 5-foot-11, 205 kilos, and 31-inch arm size, he has a nostril for the soccer and was a continuing playmaker in area for the Bears’ protection.
With ample manufacturing on the ball and tackling in area and the backfield, Pitre is a great and bodily participant for the modern-day protection. He’s legitimately nearly as good and bodily in tackling that he is likely to be a greater linebacker than many on this class on prime of his skill and luxury taking part in within the slot and in area.
Groups will not need Pitre taking part in single-high security or exterior the numbers in opposition to elite pass-catchers or athletes, but when a staff needs to stay in additional nickel and dime defensive packages going ahead, he’s the perfect aggressive, and clever playmaker defensive play-callers will covet.
You possibly can learn the complete Discovering Broncos scouting report on Pitre right here.
If Paton can discover a long-term reply at proper sort out within the 2022 draft, even one which isn’t a key contributor on the place in 2022, that may be a win for the staff.
Advertisement
A flexible upside possibility on the place is 21-year-old Smith. The 6-foot-4.5, 325-pound unit with 34-inch arm size is a bodily specimen that possesses among the most pure energy and explosiveness of any participant within the 2022 draft. Taking part in in opposition to Tulsa’s C-USA stage competitors, a few of his reps on tape are unfair in opposition to his opponents, given the completely different caliber of athlete and energy in comparison with his foes.
Smith was so bodily dominating that he was by no means pressured to develop strong and correct methods to win throughout his school profession. This has led to the event of some poor habits on tape. Smith has an extended strategy to go for his method to match his uncooked skill from lunging and getting off-balance, bending his waist, not carrying his palms excessive, and inconsistent hanging when partaking with move rushers.
Because of his technical points, Smith was additionally a penalty machine at Tulsa, committing 16 final 12 months. Luckily for Denver, he wouldn’t must be pressured into motion given the staff’s present choices alongside the offensive line, and his total mixture of athleticism, size, and energy could be price taking a swing on and ready to see how he develops.
If Smith have been accessible at 64, the query for Paton could be “is he price this draft slot?” however relatively “do I belief first-time offensive line coach Butch Barry sufficient to develop this uncooked and attractive expertise?”
You possibly can learn the complete Discovering Broncos scouting report on Smith right here.
Final and most actually not least is Ojabo. After popping out of nowhere this previous season for Michigan after solely logging one sort out earlier than 2021, he exploded this season reverse Aiden Hutchinson for the Large Ten-Champion Wolverines.
At 6-foot-4 and 252 kilos, with 33-1/2-inch arm size, Ojabo seems to be quite a bit like Randy Gregory given his linear body and lengthy arms. Ojabo additionally regarded like Gregory along with his skill to knock the ball out this previous season, creating 5 pressured fumbles final 12 months.
Regardless of being new to the scene final 12 months for Michigan’s protection, Ojabo isn’t younger and will likely be 22 years outdated subsequent season. He’s additionally very a lot a piece in progress as a run defender.
Michigan actively took him off the sphere in apparent speeding conditions, corresponding to in opposition to Georgia within the Faculty Soccer Playoffs. Nonetheless, the bundle of size, fluidity, and burst displayed on Ojabo’s tape makes him worthy of a top-20 choice till he tore his Achilles at Michigan’s professional day this previous month.
As a result of torn achilles, Ojabo might miss the whole lot of the 2022 season, which is why he may plausibly fall to Denver at choose 64 — regardless of his expertise. So given Denver’s long-term wants on the edge, no first-round choose in 2022 or 2023, maybe it’s good to suppose long-term and choose somebody like him at 64 even when he doesn’t play subsequent season.
Advertisement
Given how the Broncos’ 2022 roster is all however set and appears actually strong prime to backside, choosing and stashing Ojabo is likely to be a savvy transfer by Paton and the forward-thinking entrance workplace in Dove Valley.
You possibly can learn the complete Discovering Broncos scouting report on Ojabo right here.
What occurs subsequent on the Broncos? Do not miss out on any information and evaluation! Please take a second, signal up for our free e-newsletter, and get breaking Broncos information delivered to your inbox every day!
Lastly, listed below are just a few honorable mentions deserving of a shoutout as prospects at 64. A few of these gamers weren’t chosen for the perfect 5 as a result of it feels unlikely that they’re accessible when Denver is selecting or as a result of different prospects have been deemed extra worthy of highlighting.
Nevertheless, any of the next honorable mentions could be slam dunk picks for Denver at 64.
Children’s Hospital Colorado signed an agreement this week with TriWest Healthcare Alliance to remain in network with Tricare, which will ensure that Children’s medical services for uniformed service members, retirees and their families in Colorado don’t lapse.
The new arrangement, which begins on Jan. 1, comes as Tricare switches third-party companies — from Health Net to TriWest — to administer its healthcare plans. Tricare is overseen by the Defense Health Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense.
In a press release, Children’s Hospital Colorado said the new deal supplants a plan that would have moved it to a non-network participation status with Tricare. Children’s said Tricare reimbursement for children’s hospitals remains “well below the cost of providing care.”
This past spring, Children’s warned that it would have to make cuts to key departments this year because of a change in how Tricare pays for care. The insurer tied the payments to what Medicare would pay for the same services, as Tricare does for services to adults at civilian hospitals.
Advertisement
The U.S. Department of Defense said the change, which was implemented in October 2023, would save the military up to $45 million in taxpayer funds annually, according to the Military Times.
Children’s Hospital Colorado estimated it had lost about $2.1 million a month since the reimbursement change was put in place compared to how Tricare used to pay. The system estimated about 16,000 kids insured by Tricare receive care at Children’s Hospital Colorado facilities, and about one in five children who receive care at the Colorado Springs hospital and clinics have military coverage.
Children’s this week said it will continue conferring with the Department of Defense, and elected officials, to ensure it can maintain high-quality, specialty pediatric care for all kids in Colorado.
“We are grateful for all the individuals and families who have joined us in our efforts over the past 18 months to address these TRICARE cuts,” the hospital said in a statement. “We will continue to share opportunities where your advocacy can help us preserve critical access to healthcare services for military families like yours at Children’s Colorado.”
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.
Cleveland Cavaliers (26-4, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (16-11, fifth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EST
Advertisement
BOTTOM LINE: Cleveland will attempt to keep its five-game win streak alive when the Cavaliers take on Denver.
The Nuggets are 8-4 on their home court. Denver leads the Western Conference with 20.3 fast break points led by Christian Braun averaging 4.8.
The Cavaliers are 9-3 in road games. Cleveland ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference scoring 50.7 points per game in the paint led by Evan Mobley averaging 12.2.
The 119.8 points per game the Nuggets score are 9.6 more points than the Cavaliers give up (110.2). The Cavaliers average 16.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.2 more made shots on average than the 13.9 per game the Nuggets allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.7 steals for the Nuggets.
Advertisement
Mobley is scoring 18.5 points per game and averaging 9.0 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 123.2 points, 45.8 rebounds, 33.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.2 points per game.
Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 120.7 points, 44.8 rebounds, 29.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.5 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: day to day (calf), DaRon Holmes II: out for season (achilles), Vlatko Cancar: out (knee).
Cavaliers: Emoni Bates: out (knee), Isaac Okoro: out (shoulder), Dean Wade: day to day (knee).
Advertisement
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
