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Denver Broncos: 3 players whose jobs are in trouble after the draft

By Sayre Bedinger

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 28: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 36-21. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 28: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 36-21. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 30: Offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson #68 of the Denver Broncos on the bench during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Broncos defeated the Cardinals 21-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 30: Offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson #68 of the Denver Broncos on the bench during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Broncos defeated the Cardinals 21-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Elijah Wilkinson, OG

The Broncos used their first of two second round picks to take Dalton Risner, a mauling right tackle out of Kansas State. The thought was that Risner would be able to step into the NFL and start at tackle, guard, or center because he’s just that good and that smart of a player.

The Broncos had a need at right guard when Connor McGovern was moved permanently to center following Matt Paradis’ decision to leave in free agency.

When Paradis was hurt last year, it was Elijah Wilkinson who moved into a starting role at right guard and he actually played pretty well.

Playing in 12 games with seven starts, Wilkinson was penciled in as the Broncos’ starting right guard heading into the 2019 NFL Draft with Ron Leary as the team’s projected left guard.

After the draft, the Broncos made it clear that Leary would be moving over to the right guard spot and Risner would be working in as the left guard.

That leaves Wilkinson to vie for a backup guard/tackle swing job.

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