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Denver Broncos 2020 NFL Draft first round targets

By Ian Higgins

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos passes against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos passes against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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2020 NFL Draft Raekwon Davis
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs is tackled by defensive end Raekwon Davis #99 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

At 6’7″, 306 pounds, Raekwon Davis is one of the most physically dominant defensive tackles in the draft with his massive reach and size advantage. This kind of length on the interior defensive line is an invaluable asset against the run and for blocking passing lanes for the quarterback. Davis has shown to be one of the top interior defensive line prospects of the draft class in an injury-marred season at Alabama and can carry that success to Denver in 2020.

During the golden days of the Denver Broncos defense, Von Miller always had an interior lineman who could collapse the pocket as well as be a strong defender in the run. Raekwon Davis fits the bill for the dominant interior player to complete the defensive line. Davis could fit into a number of defensive schemes, but Denver may be able to utilize his skillset best.

NFL quarterbacks love to have a clean pocket to step into for their throws, avoiding edge pressure by letting their tackles wash out over-zealous edge rushers. As time has passed though, the game has evolved to create a breed of interior rushers who can collapse the structure of the pocket and unleash chaos on a quarterback.

New generation quarterbacks have become more adept at avoiding this pressure (ex: Lamar Jackson, DeShaun Watson), but it is invaluable against the old guard and those who don’t possess the same athleticism as those previously mentioned.

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