5 players Broncos should draft in the first round

3. Caleb Farley

Farley’s just the sort of big, physical corner that can thrive on the outside of Fangio’s defense. If he can find a way to ditch the injury issues that dogged him at Virginia Tech it’s easy to envision a scenario where he blossoms into a perennial Pro Bowler.

There just aren’t too many 6-foot-2 corners that have the ball skills that Farley displays on film. He doesn’t just knock balls down that are thrown in his direction, he hunts them and turns them into interceptions.

That penchant to create turnovers should overshadow his inconsistent tackling at the next level. The Broncos’ defensive staff should trust in their ability to improve his technique. Farley is a plug-and-play starter on the outside as a rookie.

In sharp contrast to Lance, landing Farley at No. 9 likely represents the median outcome for the Broncos on draft night. They’d prefer to secure an upgrade at quarterback. There’s also a chance they can acquire a slightly more polished cornerback prospect.