Broncos' draft tendencies match up perfectly with talented draft prospect
We don't know much about the Denver Broncos' draft strategy due to the addition of Sean Payton. We do have an idea of some tendencies, however, due to the fact that George Paton has been the general manager since 2021. Paton, like most NFL GMs has been a big fan of athletic prospects in the […]
We don't know much about the Denver Broncos' draft strategy due to the addition of Sean Payton. We do have an idea of some tendencies, however, due to the fact that George Paton has been the general manager since 2021.
Paton, like most NFL GMs has been a big fan of athletic prospects in the past. This is evidenced by his decision to draft high RAS scorers. 2021's first-rounder, Pat Surtain II, had a 9.97 RAS score and 2022's first pick, Nik Bonnito, scored a 9.3 RAS.
It's highly unlikely Payton moves against adding superior athletes, so it's safe to assume the Broncos will follow this blueprint, again, in 2023.
After the Russell Wilson trade, the Broncos do not have a first- nor a second-round pick. Luckily, one of their top needs matches up perfectly with a player who fits the mold of what they like, and he just might be available for their first pick at 67.
The Broncos have a need at cornerback, more specifically boundary CB opposite of Surtain. They cut Ronald Darby this offseason, and while Damarri Mathis had a good rookie year, the depth behind him is scary.
The Broncos just might turn their attention to Julius Brents, a cornerback out of Kansas State.
First off, Brents knocked it out of the park at the combine, amassing a 9.82 RAS score by the end of it. His broad jump was 11'6", which registers in the 99th percentile and his vertical was 41 1/2", which is good for the 96th percentile. His 3-cone of 6.62 was good for 93rd percentile, his 34" arms landed him in the 98th percentile.
Brents is a long-armed boundary corner, who is comfortable getting in receivers' faces. He can play both man and zone coverage well and he can contest almost any throw with his arm-length. And the best part is he is not afraid to tackle.
Brents does play more reactive rather than instinctive, and at his height he is high-waisted; his change of direction ability on tape does not match up with what we saw at the combine. Long speed might be his worst trait, as he ran a 4.53 at the combine, good for 36th percentile. His technique in press needs some refinement, and there are a few moments on film of him giving questionable effort in run support.
But when it comes to where the Broncos are picking and the type of prospect that Brents is, it's easy to see why this pairing makes a lot of sense. If Brents can live up to his athleticism, the Broncos would not only come away with one of the draft's biggest steals – they'd have one of the best cornerback duos for the next half decade.
