Four players the Denver Broncos will be watching at the NFL Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week! The top college players in the country will undergo the biggest job interview of their lives at the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.

Every team in the NFL will be here with scouts, coaches, and medical staff ready to examine the players they want in the draft.

Here are four players the Broncos will be monitoring at the Combine.

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Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State

The best running back in this class is Ashton Jeanty from Boise State, and he is considered a top-five player in this class regardless of position. Reports came in Monday that like Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Jeanty will not work out at the Combine. Instead, the potential superstar back will focus on the medical tests and team interviews.

Denver’s need at running back is clear. They should move on from free agent Javonte Williams this offseason, and tney do not have a player on the roster that can be what head coach Sean Payton wants the most – an elite receiver that plays running back. Audric Estime is a power back, and Jaleel McLaughlin is more of a change-of-pace back. Simply put, they need someone to take over the backfield.

Jeanty reminds some in the scouting community of Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Like Barkley, Jeanty can make defenders miss in the open field and has the ability to rip off big plays frequently. He’s a fantastic receiver who can be moved around the formation, just like Payton wants in a ‘joker’ on offense. Even though he’s not going through drills, Jeanty will certainly be a player the Broncos interview and medically check. Getting him at no.20 overall in the first round would be a Godsend for this team.

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Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan

Many recent mock drafts have the Broncos selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in the first round. While Penn State’s Tyler Warren may be considered the best tight end in this class because of his versatility, Loveland may be seen as the best pure tight end.

If there’s a position the Broncos need perhaps more than others, it’s tight end. Just like last year, the Broncos need more pass-catching help at the position. To help Bo Nix on offense, having a security blanket tight end would help greatly. It’s a position Payton has highlighted the need for, and one they could really seal in the first round.

Loveland has fantastic receiving ability. He’s a big-bodied player who knows how to use his frame to box out smaller defenders. In addition to the mere use of his frame, Loveland can move in the open field. While not a true burner, on film Loveland does show the ability to consistently get separation in his routes. After the catch, Loveland can use his size and speed to rack up the yardage. Don’t read too much into the Combine drills, but Loveland should test quite well.

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Kenneth Grant | DT | Michigan

This might be the best defensive tackle class in NFL Draft history. Teams in need of big, strong players in the middle of the line will be pleased with the choices they have. Michigan will have two defensive tackles go off the board in the first round, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. With Graham being a near-lock for the top-10, it depends on how impressive Grant is during the pre-draft process.

The Broncos need help stuffing the run, and they will most likely be drafting a defensive tackle at some point in the draft. With the depth of this class, they could wait – like what their plan could be a tight end or running back, but if Grant ranks high on their board and falls to them in the first round, he might be the pick.

Grant is a favorite among the scouting community. His physical skill is off the charts, and the word ‘freak’ has been tossed around when bringing him up in conversation. Grant is powerful and undeniable with incredible strength. He gets off the snap quickly, and he does a good job pursuing plays that go away from him.

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Tez Johnson | WR | Oregon

With Nix at quarterback, it’s easy to predict the team being interested in his brother – Tez Johnson from Oregon. Not only are they former teammates, but their bond extends to the Nix family as they adopted Johnson years ago.

Even though Payton likes the young wide receiver talent already on the roster, to get a player like Johnson would only make them more explosive. Unlike others on this list, Johnson is not going to go off the board in the first round. How could Johnson fit in with guys like Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, or DeVaughn Vele? It could be a good problem to have for the Broncos.

Johnson is listed at 156 pounds, and it doesn’t look like there’s much more room for muscle on his frame. Even though he’s incredibly small, Johnson is lightning quick and can get open against off coverage – which defenders play against him as they respect his speed. Johnson is more than just a feel-good story, he’s the type of player who can make the most of a small amount of snaps. Johnson is working his way up draft boards, and with a great performance at the Combine he could work his way into the second round.

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