Denver Broncos: Assessing top draft needs at first quarter

The Denver Broncos have one of the deepest, most well-rounded rosters in the NFL. Where might they look to upgrade in the 2017 NFL Draft?

Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Broncos won 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The scouting department for the Denver Broncos is busy looking at the top prospects eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft, and so are we. While the Broncos are in the thick of a Super Bowl title defense on the field, there’s always prep work being done off the field.

Plus, talking about the draft is just always fun.

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One of the reasons it’s so much fun talking about the draft right now is because the Broncos’ roster is looking fantastic. There’s been a great amount of work done by John Elway and the front office to secure some of the team’s top players defensively for the foreseeable future, and the offense looks to be on the right track.

What’s great about evaluating the future needs of this Broncos team is the fact that there is not only one but possibly two franchise caliber quarterbacks on the roster. Trevor Siemian has shown positive trajectory in his first three starts, and Paxton Lynch showed tools in the preseason that make me think he has a bright, bright future in this league.

So where are the Broncos’ top needs? There don’t seem to be a ton of answers here because the Broncos are so strong as a whole, but there are areas due to future contract situations as well as some places the Broncos could look to upgrade on what they already have. Here are — in no particular order — what I believe to be the Broncos’ top needs moving forward…

Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; North Texas Mean Green running back Jeffrey Wilson (26) runs with the ball as Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Brantley (57) defends during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Defensive Line

The Broncos’ defensive line has not been as strong against the run to start this season as we have seen in recent years. The loss of Malik Jackson and Vance Walker certainly have something to do with that, especially Walker, who was arguably the team’s top run defender a season ago.

While Walker could certainly return to the team after this season and return even stronger than before, the defensive line is a place I could see the Broncos looking to upgrade early on in the draft, as they did this past season with Adam Gotsis in the second round.

Derek Wolfe is under long-term contract, Gotsis has upside as a second round draft choice, and Jared Crick will be around for at least another season. The Broncos have a decision to make in regards to nose tackle Sylvester Williams, a first round pick in 2013.

So far, Elway has retained both of his top selections coming up on expiring deals (Von Miller, Derek Wolfe) and Williams would be the next in line. The team didn’t pick up his 2017 option, so it’ll either be a long-term deal or a change of scenery for him.

Because of the potential moving parts, specifically at nose tackle, the Broncos could look to dip into this year’s crop of defensive linemen.

Florida’s Caleb Brantley is a quick nose tackle with a great frame that could fit Wade Phillips’ scheme very well.

Sep 12, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tight End

At this point next season, Virgil Green will be in the final year of a three-year deal he signed last March. Jeff Heuerman — to this point — has been mostly an unknown.

While the Broncos certainly like the potential they have with Green and Heuerman, this is an area that if a top flight player like an O.J. Howard of Alabama is available in the first round, you might think long and hard about selecting him.

Jake Butt of Michigan is another player that has proven himself a dynamic threat at the position, and could potentially be available in the first or second round for the Broncos.

One way or another, I think the Broncos will look to upgrade this position in the offseason. Virgil Green is a valuable player for this team and Heuerman has potential, but there’s going to be some really good players available in this class and the Broncos should look to take advantage of that depth.

Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers Nate Gerry (25) celebrates during the final moments of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Safety

The Denver Broncos employ a number of three safety formations in this defensive scheme, so re-signing Darian Stewart could be the top priority this offseason. The team drafted Justin Simmons in the third round out of Boston College, and he’s played just two of the three games this season due to a wrist injury.

Simmons has a ton of talent, and as he develops, I think he’ll be a really good player for this team. T.J. Ward is around for another year if the Broncos want him, and we have no reason to believe they don’t, but next year will be a contract year for him and we’ll have to see what the Broncos opt to do with him at that point.

I like Will Parks’ potential in this defense as well, but I can’t ignore the potential that Nebraska safety Nate Gerry has within this defense. Gerry was an instant hit for the Huskers’ defense, starting out his career at linebacker and making the switch to safety.

He hits hard, covers a lot of ground, and is rarely out of position. He’s a fantastic athlete that would fit in really well with this Denver Broncos’ defense, and could be available in the middle rounds.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung (73) during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4. Offensive Line

The Broncos have a big decision to make this offseason with what they are going to do with Russell Okung, who has proven one of the best bargains in free agency this season. Okung is essentially playing on a one-year contract with a team option for another four-year deal if they feel confident he can be an asset moving forward.

If the Broncos decide to keep Okung, he will cost just under $12 million against the cap starting next season, and while that seems like a high price to pay, this is still an elite player under the age of 30 at a premiere position. Paying market value isn’t something the Broncos will think twice about, especially after what they went through in 2015.

The offensive line actually has some pretty good depth right now, thanks to the addition of Donald Stephenson at the right tackle spot. The Broncos are counting on Ty Sambrailo to develop into a starter-quality player, but he’s struggling early on.

You can never have enough good offensive line depth, so I could see the Broncos looking to upgrade in the mid-late rounds. This need is largely dependent upon whether or not they keep Russell Okung, and I think — hope — they will.

Oct 1, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) returns a punt against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

5. Cornerback

This is an interesting position of ‘need’ because the Broncos have the best group of cornerbacks in the NFL.

Aqib Talib has been an incredibly valuable player to this team on the field, but there are still concerns with him off the field. He had an incident over the offseason getting shot and no one really knows what happened with that story. He has a history of trouble with the league, and will be 31 next season.

His cap hit increases from under $10 million to $12 million, and the Broncos have a tough decision to make with some other players coming up for new contracts whether they will keep Talib and take the cap hit, or release him and save $10 million against the cap.