Denver Broncos: Brendan Langley benched for UDFA Marcus Rios
The Denver Broncos released their inactive players list, and rookie cornerback Brendan Langley, a third round pick, was benched for UDFA Marcus Rios…
Brendan Langley is inactive for the Denver Broncos against the New York Jets at home.
Is this a big piece of news? In the short term? Not so much. Langley is a rookie defensive back who wouldn’t play a whole lot other than special teams because of the Broncos’ top three players at the position.
In the grand scheme of things, it most definitely is a big deal.
Langley was a third round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, a small school prospect and former transfer from Georgia who was actually teammates with Isaiah McKenzie for a brief time. Langley was a wide receiver in the early stages of his college career, but was moved to cornerback and noticed by scouts at small Lamar University.
After showing his abilities on offense, defense, and on special teams throughout his collegiate days, it was generally assumed that in a deep group of defensive backs, Langley would contribute mostly on special teams.
That has certainly been the case, but the Broncos are benching Langley with four games left in the season in favor of undrafted rookie Marcus Rios, who was a backup for UCLA last season.
I would say I’m speechless, but there’s nothing about this Broncos coaching staff that really strikes me as surprising at this point. What is troubling, however, is the way this move to put Langley on the bench just shines light on how terribly mismanaged Broncos draft picks are, especially players who are taken in the top 100 selections.
Go ahead and look back at all of John Elway’s draft picks that were taken within the top 100, and probably even more specifically, players that were taken in the second round and beyond.
Heck, you could even throw Paxton Lynch in that group.
Broncos late-round picks are consistently out-performing and out-developing their higher picks. There are no shortage of examples here, at almost every position.
More from Predominantly Orange
- Broncos chances of landing Sean Payton dwindling, but not gone
- Denver Broncos dream coaching staff for DeMeco Ryans
- Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box
- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
- Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC
At quarterback, seventh round pick Trevor Siemian out-performed first round pick Paxton Lynch.
At running back, undrafted free agent C.J. Anderson out-performed and outlasted second round pick Montee Ball, third round pick Ronnie Hillman, and currently fourth round pick Devontae Booker.
At wide receiver, undrafted free agent Bennie Fowler has arguably out-performed second round pick Cody Latimer.
We could literally go on at every single position. There’s no secret that the Broncos’ day three picks have been better than day two picks, and there needs to be something done about that.
I don’t know if it has to do with player development, or if it’s scouting, or if John Elway needs to hand the draft duties over to someone else. Elway hasn’t been bad drafting overall, but he’s made some really odd picks in high rounds and the Broncos have been paying the price dearly this year.
Langley’s situation is just the tip of the iceberg. You’re going to get a look at game reps for an undrafted player versus a guy you invested a third round pick in?
The situations surrounding Langley, DeMarcus Walker, and De’Angelo Henderson (6th round pick) this year have been maddening, to say the least.