NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah held a conference call with media members last week to discuss the 2023 NFL draft, which is set to kick off on Thursday, April 27.
During the call, Jeremiah was asked about potential third-round targets for the Denver Broncos, who do not hold first- or second-round picks this year. The Broncos do hold back-to-back picks (Nos. 67-68) in the third, and Jeremiah listed several prospects who could be a fit at that point in the draft.
“There’s a couple of ways they can go,” Jeremiah said. “I think with Sean Payton, he is always going to be obsessed with the trenches even though they are very active on both sides of the line of scrimmage in free agency, I wouldn’t rule that out of them continuing to fortify that group. Offensive line, defensive line would make some sense.”
He mentioned three defensive linemen specifically.
“I think there’s some intriguing defensive linemen,” Jeremiah said. “You look at a guy like Zacch Pickens from South Carolina, who is 290-plus pounds. He has got some juice. I like him a lot. You are going to see Gervon Dexter from Florida. He is going to start getting mentioned in that range of the draft.
“One of the guys who is a sleeper for me who I think could factor into that third round is a guy named Scott Matlock from Boise State who was not invited to the combine. A little bit under the radar, but he is a really good player, and teams like him a lot.”
Jeremiah also mentioned Sacramento State defensive back/linebacker Marte Mapu as a potential prospect to watch in the third round.
“He got a pec injury, so he couldn’t work out in the spring, but he was awesome at the Senior Bowl,” Jeremiah said. “He is rangy. He can really, really cover. Having linebackers that can cover, especially in the AFC West, is a big deal. I think he would be a nice one to add to their mix.”
The third round of the NFL draft will be held on Friday, April 28.
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