We’ve already covered the majority of the Denver Broncos need portions in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft, but the one spot we’ve yet to preview is cornerback, where the loss of Aqib Talib has opened up a hole in the three-man rotation.

Even with the loss of a star like Talib, it doesn’t feel like corner is a priority at the very top of the draft for Denver. That’s because the Broncos seem pretty happy with free-agent acquisition Tramaine Brock and still have the raw, but talented, Brendan Langley, who they drafted in the top 100 only a year ago.

So, while we’re still going to talk about a few options at the top of the draft, we’re also going to focus a bit more on potential late-round finds at the position.

We’ve already addressed the need areas at quarterback, running back, receivers and tight ends, offensive tackle, guard, inside linebacker, and edge rusher as well, so click on those links if you need to get caught up.

Let’s get into it, as this cornerback class is one of the deepest and most talented of the entire 2018 draft. 

Dark-horse option at five

Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Ward is such an intriguing talent. Just watch him when he’s on, and he’s an aggressive man corner who will harass receivers and swat any pass that comes his way. That type of high-end play, added to his outlandish athletic skills, make Ward very highly regarded. The Buckeyes corner is particularly valuable for teams that play a lot of man coverage and place a premium on cornerbacks with Ward’s skills—a category the Broncos fall under.

He’s far from perfect, though, allowing a few too many contested grabs do to his smaller size. He also isn’t always disciplined with his eyes and won’t get his head turned around in time, thus allowing completions despite being in perfect position. Furthermore, Ward has missed his fair share of tackles, which is concerning when he’s playing outside, where missing a tackle can be the difference between a two-yard gain and a 20-yard gain. 

In Denver, he’d be a high-upside play, especially when put in the hands of two of the NFL’s best defensive backs coaches in Joe Woods and Vance Joseph. Ward is also appealing for his ability to play outside or cover the slot, which would give Denver three interchangeable players at the position. 

 He’d be a risky pick, but his upside is what would push him so high.

Hoping they drop to 40

Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

Again, I don’t get the feeling the Broncos will take a cornerback in the early second round, as it feels like it’s Ward, or they’ll wait until day three. However, Hughes’ return ability would make him quite enticing in Denver.

He’s also aggressive, flies downhill and has shown great cover skills this year. As an added bonus, if he gets his hands on a pick, he’ll take it to the house with his awesome return skills.

He’d be an interesting fit in Denver and good value in the early second round, assuming he drops after a so-so combine showing.

Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

Alexander was amazing a year ago and is a top-10 talent based off of his tape. The big reason he could drop is due to an injury-riddled 2017 campaign.

He has repaired his stock some, with a spectacular combine, and is more physical than Ward, while also playing better against big receivers—see below as he blanketed Mike Williams a season ago.

Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Oliver is a local product that would replace Talib quite well, without any of the off-field concerns. He’s tall, has plenty of speed and masterful ball skills. The Broncos have done their research on him and might just be tempted to pull the trigger if he were still around in the early second.

Donte Jackson, CB, LSU

Denver’s also done their research on Jackson, bringing him in for a private visit this offseason. Put on the tape, and it’s easy to see why, as Jackson was a standout for LSU this past season. He was also freakishly athletic at the combine—much like Ward and Alexander.

His one knock is that he’s small, weighing less than 180 pounds, which could force him to be exclusively a nickel corner, unless he has to cover a smaller speedster on the outside. 

The Broncos clearly value speed at the position, and Jackson fits perfectly. He’d be a darkhorse pick in the second round. 

Round-three options

Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama

Wallace was one of Alabama’s MVP’s in their two playoff games this season. He’s a great story, having walked on to later become Alabama’s top lockdown corner, beating out a group of five-star recruits in the process.

He’s long and wiry, not carrying much weight. He will battle, though, and has really nice instincts and ball skills. It’s legitimate to wonder if he’s hit his peak, but he should be a serviceable starter in the league regardless, who can play outside due to his 6-foot frame.

A disappointing draft process where he was unimpressive at the Senior Bowl and combine, should have him drop to the third round, where he’d be a good value pick. 

Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama

Another prospect that was brought in for a private visit by the Broncos, Averett is more of a gamble on upside then his teammate Wallace is. He’s really good closing downhill on plays and is a solid defender against the run.

At 5-foot-11 he has good size and ran a 4.36, meaning he fits the profile of what Denver likes in their corners and has some decent room to grow. Averett’s issues are his instincts, as he can lose receivers on crossers and is susceptible to double moves, where he can sit on a route and get burned downfield.

His tape isn’t great, but he’s received great coaching, with the physical makeup to be a solid starter. 

Day-three steals

Holton Hill, DB, Texas

The Broncos have shown a willingness to take risks on prospects with off-field issues in the past, and Hill’s tape would suggest he’s worth taking a risk on. He was suspended for the majority of the season for violating undisclosed team rules, and that has a lot of teams concerned. Depending on what intel Denver gets, they’ll either take him off their board entirely, or target him on day three.

If he was clean off the field, Hill would be a first round contender. He has ample size, is really physical and has some enticing ball skills. Simply put, Hill’s the whole package on the field.

As long as the Broncos vet him thoroughly and feel comfortable with his character, this could be a terrific value pick.  

Jordan Thomas, CB, Oklahoma

Thomas has all the talent in the world and was terrific just a few years ago, locking down Corey Coleman. He’s just never found consistency in his game and is far too aggressive and lackadaisical as a tackler.

The Broncos met with him at the East-West Shrine game, and he’s got the size and speed to play in their scheme. As a developmental project, who’s already had his fair share of big-game exposure, he’d be a worthwhile gamble. Thomas has plenty of potential if he can just be more sound and consistent in his play. 

Isaac Yiadom, CB, Boston College

Yiadom really impressed us during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl. He’s long and physical with good ball skills. He’s a smooth mover who can handle coverage duties on the outside and would be ideal in a press scheme.

The BC standout is physical, too, and very reliable in run support. He’s also a good athlete, even if not a freak. He’d be really nice depth piece in the fourth round, who could give Denver’s defensive backfield a more stable presence than the still-raw Langley.

Deatrick Nichols Jr., CB, South Florida

Nichols is a completely forgotten man by most media types, but not by the Broncos, who have brought him in for a private workout. This guy just battles every play and plays with his hair on fire. As an off-ball cornerback, he’ll come screaming downhill and is a sure tackler who’ll try to lay the wood.

He also has nice instincts and is sticky in coverage, playing with a physical edge that’s right on the border of legality. There’s lots to like with Nichols, who reportedly ran a 4.3 at his pro day and impressed during Shrine Game practices.

His one issue, as far as his fit in Denver, is that he’s more of a zone or off-coverage DB, which means he doesn’t fit in a press-heavy scheme. That said, there’s enough to like to develop him and make him work. 

Rico Gafford, CB, Wyoming

To finish off, here’s a real underrated gem in Gafford, who’s put up great tape and was ridiculous at his pro day, running a Deion Sanders-like 4.2 40. He told us he had received an invite to the Broncos local pro day, but might not have been able to test due to an injury he suffered during his pro day in Wyoming only a week earlier.

Broncos scouts are well aware of him and were joking around with Gafford when we saw him up in Laramie. 

He has great speed and is physical too. In the late rounds, or even as an undrafted free agent, he’d be a great fit as a nickel cornerback, with ample speed to play outside in specific matchups. Don’t sleep on Gafford like the rest of the league has, as he could be a truly underrated gem.