The Denver Broncos are picking at No. 12 in the 2024 NFL Draft and have some difficult decisions to make on the direction they would like to go for the future. While we still don't know what they will do, it is safe to say they still need to target defensive prospects throughout the draft. Their defense was terrible last season, and grabbing some young cornerstone defenders would help them out a lot in the future.
This year, the Broncos have plenty of draft picks, even after day one, to improve their roster. This draft is full of great defensive players and is stacked at several positions. The Broncos will make their money on day two. Last year we saw them draft Riley Moss and Drew Sanders in the third round. This year we could also see them draft some great defensive prospects that will be able to contribute much earlier.
Pro Football Focus has identified the perfect fit for the Broncos on day two of the 2024 draft: UCLA edge rusher Gabriel Murphy.
According to our big board, Murphy is the 110th overall prospect and the 13th-best edge rusher in the draft. Last season, he played across from UCLA teammate and potential top-ten pick Laiatu Latu, so some of these numbers were a bit skewed. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses;
STRENGTHS
- Slasher with outstanding upper body twitch
- Teleports across gaps & creates immediate leverage
- Quick hands & accurate strikes as a pass rusher
- Full bag of hand moves to win the edge or cross the blocker's face
- Uses a swim move to slither past down blocks
- Defeats the outside hand with a well-timed cross-chop
- Explosive 1st step, above average closing speed
WEAKNESSES
- Undersized with extremely short arms
- Lacks hip flexibility to finish speed rushes at tight angles
- UCLA's defense provided favorable 1-on-1 matchups. Most extra attention was devoted to Laiatu Latu
- Unbalanced tackler. Struggles to reset his pursuit angle
- Average performance at the Shrine Bowl
The Broncos can go so many different directions in this draft, but picking Murphy wouldn't be a bad idea.
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