The visuals from last December are likely fresh in the mind of Broncos general manager John Elway.

San Francisco tight end George Kittle’s five-yard catch on a shallow cross against linebacker Todd Davis. His 31-yard reception on a corner route when Davis’ eyes were stuck in the backfield. And his 85-yard touchdown on a short pattern when Davis, linebacker Josey Jewell and safety Darian Stewart inexplicably lost track of him.

The Broncos’ late-season swoon (four consecutive losses) began with their no-show against the 49ers in general (trailed 20-0 at halftime) and Kittle in particular (seven catches for 210 yards … all in the first half).

It could drive the Broncos’ decision regarding who they pick with the 10th overall selection on April 25.

Enter LSU linebacker Devin White? He could serve the same role Roquan Smith did last year as a rookie for then-Chicago defensive coordinator/current Broncos coach Vic Fangio, physical enough to play the run and fleet enough to track tight ends.

“It would be great (to join the Broncos), knowing they have Bradley Chubb on one side and the G.O.A.T (Von Miller) on the other side,” White said at the Scouting Combine. “A lot of people won’t be keyed in on me and I’ll be a sneaky player that’s going to be a make a lot of plays.

“That would be a great fit for me.”

But will White even make it to the Broncos? He could go to Tampa Bay at No. 5 or a team like Pittsburgh, drafting at No. 20, could swing a monster trade to move up and select him.

Running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at 237 pounds during the Combine fueled the hype on White. And for good reason. Every-down linebackers are a valuable commodity in today’s NFL.

“I think he’s a guy that can stay on the field and play (in) all situations,” Fangio said. “The NFL has changed so much in the last few years. … You’re defending third-down stuff on first and second downs, too.”

The Broncos haven’t prioritized White’s type of skill (inside linebacker who can cover) high in the draft under Elway’s watch. Von Miller (2010), Shane Ray (2015) and Bradley Chubb (2018) were outside “rush” linebackers. Jewell was a fourth-round pick last year. Related Articles Broncos Briefs: After fine, Vic Fangio vows to be more aware of wearing mask

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’Nightmare for SEC offenses’

White was a four-star high school prospect, but arrived at LSU with character concerns. At age 17, he was arrested (along with a teammate) for having consensual sex with a 14-year old girl (a misdemeanor in Louisiana) and a month later, was arrested for careless operation of a vehicle and flight from an officer. White’s invitation to the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game was rescinded.

But in three years at LSU, White only made headlines with his play.

Signed as a running back, but converted to linebacker, White played 38 games (25 starts) and had 286 tackles and 8 1/2 sacks. He won the Butkus Award honoring the nation’s top linebacker in 2018 and was also first-team All-America and a two-time first-team All-SEC selection.

“He’s a guy that’s determined,” Texas A&M running back Trayvon Williams said. “He’s a natural-born athlete and he’s going to have a long career in the NFL.”

An example of White’s want-to/determination level was provided by LSU safety John Battle.

“Go back to the summer and we’re doing workouts and he ran with our defensive backs and skill groups,” Battle said. “He always tried to push himself to be the best he could be and win. And he was winning.”

The straight-ahead speed explosiveness was showcased at the Combine. White’s 40 time was best among the linebackers and his 39 1/2-inch vertical jump was second to Michigan’s Devin Bush (40 1/2 inches).

“He’s one of the fastest guys on the field, I don’t care who else is out there,” Battle said. “He’s going from sideline-to-sideline. By the time you snap the ball, he’s shooting a gap and is in your backfield. He was a nightmare for SEC offenses and he’s going to be a nightmare for NFL offenses.”

If White goes in the top 10, he will join a small fraternity. In the last decade, only Oakland’s Rolando McClain (eighth in 2010), Carolina’s Luke Kuechly (ninth overall in 2012) and the Bears’ Smith (eighth last year) were inside linebackers chosen in the top 10.

“There’s a chance he’ll be around (at 10) and even later,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said. “Middle linebacker is almost like running back — I hate the term ‘devalued’ but I don’t think they go quite as high unless there is a screaming need.”

The Broncos may believe they have a screaming need.

Ready to cover?

Notes from watching White in LSU’s wins at Auburn and vs. Georgia.

Auburn (eight tackles): Earned a “factor” credit on 13 of his 61 snaps, meaning he made the tackle or disrupted the play. … On the opening play, he easily shed a second-level tight end block to make the tackle. … Blitzed on eight of quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s drop-backs. On his final two blitzes, he drew holding penalties on Auburn. … Missed one tackle. … Showed great athleticism and balance to dodge blocks or angle his way past bigger men to make stops. … Was not involved in any man coverage situations. … Lined up off-the-ball on every snap except one.

“You have to know where Devin White is on every snap,” Stidham said at the Scouting Combine. “He’s everywhere. It didn’t matter, he was always going to be around the football.”

Georgia (13 tackles): Earned a “factor” credit on 15 of his 64 snaps. … Blitzed on 14 of quarterback Jake Fromm’s drop-backs, including several delayed rushes. … Lined up on-the-ball as an outside linebacker on three plays. … Missed two tackles and one sack. … In man coverage, allowed a long completion when he lost track of the tight end’s wheel route. … Blitzed on three of the first four plays. … Georgia opted to run right at White to negate his speed instead of challenging him on the perimeter.

“He’s an incredible player,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said leading into the game. “An elite player, arguably one of the best in the conference at all positions.”

Missing in the Auburn and Georgia games was White tracking players in man-to-man pass coverage. In the Tigers’ scheme, he was used as a drop player in zone coverage and would occasionally buzz to the flat to account for a running back.

But …

“I’m a guy who can play inside or we’re having trouble with a tight end, you can stick Devin White on him and he’ll go stop him,” White said.

If he joins the Broncos, he will likely get that chance.

“(Fangio) puts so much emphasis on guys with instincts and having a feel for the game,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “I could see Devin being a home run for the Broncos.”