The Denver Broncos have Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings, but these corners could be brought in as competition.
The Denver Broncos are set up to have one of the sleepiest drafts in recent memory this week, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be surprises. One possibility is at cornerback, where the Broncos could bring in a late-round pick to compete with last year’s top pick, Jahdae Barron, who struggled to get on the field and occasionally got lost when he did.
Luca Evans of the Denver Post took a run at some of the candidates, and he threw out some intriguing names who have some connections to the Broncos.
Ephesians Prysock, Washington
Prysocks is expected to be a mid-round selection, but he could get a hard look from the Broncos if he slips to the fourth or fifth round. He offers both elite length and outstanding athleticism, according to Evans, with a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical, and the writer added that Prysock has also done a Zoom meeting with Broncos DB coach Doug Belk.
Julian Neal, Arkansas
Neal has great size for a slot corner at 6’1” and 203 pounds, and he was excellent against the run last year for the Razorbacks. His coverage stats were hit-and-miss, but his explosiveness could make him worth the risk as a developmental pick, and he could also be a special teams fit.
Latrell McCutchin, Houston
The Cougars have developed a reputation for putting tough, physical corners on the field, and McCutchin had great combine numbers to go with more of that elite size at 6’2”. He also defended ten passes and posted three tackles for loss last year, but according to Evans the Broncos have stayed in consistent pre-draft communication with the cornerback.
Brent Austin, Cal
Austin didn’t get invited to the combine, but the writer described him as a “big-time draft sleeper.” He had 13 passes defensed to go with a couple of forced fumbles, and Evans pegged him as a possible seventh rounder or a signee after the draft, as the Broncos have also had several conversations with him.
Blake Cotton, Utah
The Broncos have a strong connection to the Utah program, and that could come into play here as Evans described Cotton as a “the latest in a line of hard-nosed, under-the-radar Utes.” Cotton started his college career at UC Davis, but he made the jump to FBS last here and did well late in the season, and he'd have plenty of mentors if he came on board.