2020 NFL Draft: Grades for each of the Denver Broncos selections
By Jason Truitt
Scouting Report. Penn State. 806. Pick Analysis. WR. KJ Hamler. 46. player
Right when you think the Denver Broncos are done bolstering their receiving core, Elway slaps our faces with this. At first, I really didn’t like the pick, but then I quickly realized that this rapid field-stretcher is the missing slot piece to making the Broncos offensive unit massively competitive in an AFC West division. Because let’s be honest, their defense is not going to stop the Chiefs offense twice a year, so they might as well try to keep up with them.
K.J. Hamler is a solid deep-ball option with a superior ability to get vertical. He also specializes in getting the ball behind the line and making a play with his legs. He’s slippery through the zones and obtains ideal ball tracking and adjustment skills. Creates separation with aid from his splendid route-running ability. Kamler’s hands in and out of traffic do remain a concern though.
So why is my grade a B- for this pick? The reason is that there were top offensive tackle prospects such as Josh Jones and Lucas Niang on the board that they could’ve plugged behind-or ahead-of a struggling Garrett Bolles. The wide receiver class was deep and they could’ve waited for a round or two to take one after just snagging Jerry Jeudy. Regardless, this was a solid selection for the Denver Broncos that could pay dividends real soon.
GRADE: B-
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. 77. player. Iowa. Michael Ojemudia. 878
This was perhaps my least favorite selection for the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft. There was a multitude of different and better fitting defensive backs they could’ve gone with here.
Michael Ojemudia is very one-dimensional. He dominates in zone coverage, in man to man…not so much. He is highly scheme-specific and his greatest opportunity to see the field would be at the nickel for the Denver Broncos. However, he will come in to compete against Isaac Yiadom and Bryce Callahan for the outside corner job opposite of A.J Bouye.
On the positive side, he’s superb at what he does. He shows rapid instincts on tape and can easily fool the quarterback for a turnover. He’s great at tackling, isn’t afraid to shoot downhill in space and secure the carrier at the point of attack with assistance from his 4.4 speed. Ojemudia would fit best on short-yard situations for Denver as a run support guy.
GRADE: C
LSU. Lloyd Cushenberry III. 83. player. C. 817. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
This was hands down the best pick for the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft. They did not only give the trenches a much-needed upgrade but got extreme value doing it. Lloyd Cushenberry from LSU obtains first-round talent and came in projected as one of the best interior offensive linemen in the class. How he fell to the third is bizarre.
Cushenberry will be an instant plug-and-play next to newcomer Graham Glasgow and Dalton Risner. That’s right Denver fans, you got a day one starter in the third round to protect Drew Lock. And a Pro-Bowl caliber one to say the least.
The former LSU Tiger shows outstanding strength and power when anchoring the interior. He tends to get a firm grip on defenders when he aggressively thrusts his large, heavy hands into the center of their frame. Cushenberry is tough to disengage and will knock you back on his rise to initiate contact. He is jaw-dropping athletic and can quickly climb up to make those second-level blocks. He has substantial length and utilizes every inch of it to stuff and open pathways.
GRADE: A+
DL. McTelvin Agim. Scouting Report. Arkansas. 95. player. 844. Pick Analysis
With the last of their three third-round picks, the Denver Broncos selected McTelvin Agim from Arkansas. This pick was surprising and a bit of a reach to me, but I kind of like it.
The team required depth on their powerhouse defensive line, especially after their 2018 first-round pick, Bradley Chubb, went down with an injury early last season.
Agim is versatile as he lined up at both defensive end and tackle as a Razorback. He does struggle with technique due to lack of experience but can make up for it with his plethora of essential attributes and pass-rush moves.
For starters, his 6-foot-3, 309-pound frame is a forced to be reckoned with. He’s quick for his size and can get lateral if needed; explosive off his stance and between the gaps. Adds a solid tackle radius to his resume. Considering his traits, Agim could find himself at the 5-tech on Ed Donatell’s defense.