The Denver Broncos recently hosted TCU edge defender Ben Banogu on a pre-draft visit, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Banogu played defensive end in college but he would likely transition to outside linebacker a 3-4 defense like Denver’s.
Banogu (6-3, 250 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times at the combine earlier this offseason. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has predicted he will be selected between the fifth and sixth rounds of next week’s draft.
During his three years in college, Banogu totaled 156 tackles (including 45 tackles for losses) and 20 sacks. He recorded 8.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons.
Banogu showed off his versatility at the Senior Bowl in January.
“I can play anywhere from a 3-technique to the 5-technique,” the edge defender said in an interview with Draft Wire’s Justin Melo in March. “I can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 and rush the passer. They had me playing as a true inside linebacker in Mobile and I was dropping into coverage.”
The Broncos own picks Nos. 148, 156, 182 and 237 in the final rounds of the draft. The team may consider selecting Banogu with one of their late-round selections.
