Round 2, Pick 19: Larry Ogunjobi, DL – Charlotte
The Denver Broncos’ success has been predicated on the strength of their defense. That’s how they won Super Bowl 50 and that’s how they flirted with making the playoffs one season ago as Trevor Siemian started at quarterback. However, with the departure of Malik Jackson in free agency in 2016, they still have a hole to fill on their three-man front—even if for no other reason than to add depth behind veteran nose tackle Domata Peko.
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That’s why Larry Ogunjobi might be the perfect man for the job in Denver. He’s a versatile player who probably isn’t big enough to be a true nose, so he wouldn’t be a true backup to Peko. However, he’s a player with the explosiveness and grit to play numerous positions across that front and have some level of effectiveness. He’s a sure tackler in the trenches, but is also a disruptive player capable of getting into the backfield and helping to generate a pass rush.
Playing at Charlotte and starting playing the game later in life, there are still unrefined parts of Ogunjobi’s game. However, that’s the beauty of bringing him into Denver. Though they need help on the defensive front, they can still use him just situationally right now as he continues to learn and get coached up. He’s picked up the game quick enough thus far that he could possibly be an every-down player by the end of the 2017 season. This is a guy with tremendous upside that could develop into a first-round type talent.