INDIANAPOLIS — The Denver Broncos will soon be in need of rotational edge rushers. Both Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett are hitting the open waters of unrestricted free agency in March.

The Broncos are set at the top of the depth chart with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. The duo combined for 26.5 sacks last season and that was with Chubb as a rookie, and the associated learning curve that comes with it.

But in the NFL, even starters need to be rested and the next men up have to be able to step in and keep the wheels of dominance in motion. Shane Ray had one year in which he significantly contributed to that football wheel — 2016, his second season in which he posted eight sacks.

It’s been all downhill since then and the injury bug has been a big reason why. There’s an outside chance Shaquil Barrett might be re-signed, but the Broncos are going to let him test the market and see if an outside team will be willing to give him a sizable contract, and make him a starter.

One prospect at the NFL Scouting Combine who the Broncos could be evaluating as a possible Ray replacement is Oregon’s Jalen Jelks. The Phoenix native plyed his wares at the Combine this past week, and he looked good doing it.

Jelks checked in at 6-foot-5, 256 pounds at the Combine. He ran a 4.92 40-yard dash, which wasn’t outstanding. But with some prospects, you have to trust the tape.

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The former Duck was an engaging interviewee at the Combine. On Saturday I asked Jelks if he’d met with the Broncos and he confirmed that he had the night before.

Shocker: he’s a big fan of Von Miller. Every edge rusher entering the draft goes gaga at the mention of the Broncos’ all-time sack artist.

"I've spoken with them [the Broncos] a little bit here and there,” Jelks told me Saturday. “It would be amazing to play with Von Miller. He's the GOAT right now, the main reason why they [the Broncos] beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl.”

Jelks is also an admirer of Bradley Chubb. He called both players “mentors”, which I assume he meant from afar. To my knowledge, he hasn’t had direct contact with either.

“Chubb's a freak athlete, so to be able to play beside those guys would be a great thing because they've been mentors of mine,” Jelks said.” I've been watching Von forever. He's a great athlete and someone I try to model my game off of."

Jelks posted 15 sacks and 29.5 tackles for a loss during his collegiate career. But 22.5 of those TFLs came in his final two seasons at Oregon.

Those numbers are solid but they don’t pop. Thankfully, the box score isn’t the main factor NFL scouts and GMs hang their hat on when evaluating a prospect. It’s the tape, workouts and interview process. I’ve learned at the Combine that the Broncos in particular seem to be very focused on what type of football IQ a prospect brings to the table.

But Jelks is a try-hard. He’s got a high motor, as evidenced by his 57 tackles in 2018, which led the Pac 12 for defensive linemen. He was moved all over Oregon's defensive front, which adds value in what he could bring to an NFL defense.

Jelks always thought he’d be a basketball player, since his father played at Kentucky State. Jalen didn’t start playing football until his freshman year of high school. It’s been a whirlwind since then, with a steep learning curve acclimating to Division I NCAA football.

Making the jump to the pros will come with yet another obstacle to climb. But this kid has a solid character and a raw set of tools that a team like the Broncos can shape into a weapon.

The Broncos have a track record replete with developing diamond-in-the-rough edge rushers into studs. Shaquil Barrett is a great example of how the Broncos’ football culture can rocket a player into the stratosphere, if he approaches the NFL like a professional and works his tail off.

Only time will tell if Jalen Jelks will be such a player. But the Broncos are interested in him. We’ll see what happens for Jelks on draft day. He’s probably an early day-three prospect. Mile High Huddle senior draft analyst Erick Trickel has a round-four grade on Jelks.