Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Previous previews: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen and defensive linemen. Today: edge rushers
Broncos’ in-house moves: none
Under contract: Nik Bonitto (two years), Jonathon Cooper (one year), Baron Browning (one year), Thomas Incoom (two years), Ronnie Perkins (one year) and Durell Nchami (two years)
Need scale: 8. Bonitto and Cooper made impressive strides in 2023, combining for 16.5 sacks. But Cooper and Browning will be unrestricted free agents in 2025 and Denver hasn’t had a dominant pass rusher since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. If the Broncos can’t land a quarterback in the first round, they might bolster their pass rush.
Top five
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama: Turner could be the first edge rusher off the board. In 2023, the Florida native had 53 tackles, 10 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He’s an explosive player who can overwhelm offensive linemen with his speed. At the scouting combine in March, Turner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds.
2. Laiatu Latu, UCLA: Latu’s medical history — a neck injury at Washington nearly derailed his career — might be concerning, but he has all the traits to make an immediate impact. Latu recorded 23.5 sacks and five forced fumbles over the last two seasons at UCLA.
3. Jared Verse, Florida State: Verse spent the last two years at Florida State after transferring from Albany. He was named first-team All-ACC in back-to-back seasons. During his final year with the Seminoles, he had nine sacks.
4. Chop Robinson, Penn State: Robinson’s sack numbers in college are not overwhelming. He had 11.5 sacks in three years (one season at Maryland and two at Penn State). However, his elite athleticism, speed and power make him a first-round talent.
5. Darius Robinson, Missouri: The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder has the length and versatility teams covet. He can put his hands in the dirt as an interior defender or line up as an outside linebacker. Robinson totaled 29 tackles (14 for loss) and 8.5 sacks in 2023. He could be a late first or early second-round pick.
Other Broncos options
The Broncos have eight picks total but no second-rounder. A look at options spanning Round 1 to the back of the draft.
1. Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: Kamara was a sack machine for the Rams. He recorded 29.5 career sacks in five seasons, including 13 in 2023. He is a violent pass rusher who plays with power and aggression. Kamara could go as early as the second round.
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2. Javon Solomon, Troy: Solomon could be a rotational defender with the potential of becoming a starter. Solomon was named to the All-Sun Belt first team after finishing first in the nation in sacks (16) and ninth in tackles for loss (18).
3. Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan: Kneeland, who played tight end in high school, registered a career-high 57 tackles (7.5 tackles for loss), 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and eight quarterback hurries last fall.
4. Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian: Hunt, a safety-turned-edge rusher, is a developmental prospect with upside. During Hunt’s two-year stint at Houston Christian, he had 58 tackles (20.5 for loss) and 13.5 sacks. He has tremendous speed to close in on quarterbacks, while his defensive back background is beneficial in coverage.
5. Gabriel Murphy, UCLA: Murphy spent three seasons at North Texas before transferring to UCLA, where he totaled 76 tackles (20 for loss), 9.5 sacks and three passes defended. In 2023, he was named honorable mention All-Pac 12 with eight sacks and 38 tackles in 13 starts.
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