The Denver Broncos are looking to add to their defense in the draft and are turning to a former Longhorn. Next week, they will reportedly host Vernon Broughton on a top-30 visit, according to The Denver Post's Lucas Evans. Before entering the NFL Draft, Broughton had one of the best seasons of his college career.
During the 2024 campaign, Broughton appeared in 16 games and was reliable on the defensive line. The Houston native set career highs in total tackles with 39, sacks with four, and pass defection with two. It marked the first season that he appeared in more than 14 games.
After a career year, Broughton was unable to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine and the Texas Pro Day due to a quad strain suffered prior. With the visit, Denver will see Broughton up close and learn more about the talented defensive end. Due to the number of their pending free agents at that position, adding depth in the draft will be important.
Bennett Christian on Texas DT Vernon Broughton... Luke Montgomery on 2nd-team All-SEC LB Anthony Hill... Patrick Gurd on Michael Taaffe... Donovan Jackson creating a wall... pic.twitter.com/PIKyvOxh48
— Spencer Holbrook (@SpencerHolbrook) January 12, 2025
At the moment, Broughton is projected to be a day-three pick. He was a rotational player for most of his career at Texas before getting a bump in playing time. He took advantage of the opportunity and is now getting a lot of attention as teams finalize their draft boards.
Regardless of where Broughton is drafted, he would make sense for many teams. He improved each year With the Longhorns, resulting in higher snap counts. If that continues at the pro level, he could develop into a promising rotational player in the NFL. If He ends up in Denver, Broughton will provide competition for Eyioma Uwazurike and Matt Henningsen.
The draft is scheduled to be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 24-26.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Vernon Broughton
