10 defensive linemen Broncos could target in the NFL draft

The Denver Broncos’ projected defensive depth chart looks pretty good going into the NFL draft, with one glaring hole.

The Broncos do not have an obvious candidate to replace DeShawn Williams as a starting defensive end. Denver signed Zach Allen in free agency to replace Dre’Mont Jones, but the team still needs another starting-caliber defensive lineman after losing Williams to the Carolina Panthers.

The Broncos will hope that second-year defenders Matt Henningsen and Eyioma Uwazurike will step up this season, but neither of those players were major contributors in 2022. Denver would be wise to improve its defensive line depth through the draft next weekend.

Here’s a quick list of 10 names to watch for during the draft.

Tuli Tuipulotu (USC)

(Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)

Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin)

(Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY Network)

Siaki Ika (Baylor)

(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Gervon Dexter (Florida)

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Zacch Pickens (South Carolina)

(Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports)

Karl Brooks (Bowling Green)

(Akron Beacon Journal, USA TODAY Network)

Jaquelin Roy (LSU)

(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Byron Young (Alabama)

(Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)

Colby Wooden (Auburn)

(John Reed-USA TODAY Sports)

Moro Ojomo (Texas)

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)