The Bears made Denmark the final pick of their five-man draft class because they believe with proper development and patience, he could become a physical, imposing matchup as a 6-foot-3 NFL cornerback. For that to reach fruition, it will take time, but Denmark is eager for the opportunity.
"The sky is the limit," Denmark said at rookie minicamp over the weekend. "I still know there’s a lot they can pull out of me, that they’re going to get out of me."
Denmark was a productive player as a receiver at Valdosta State but volunteered for the switch across the line of scrimmage to cornerback. Like his coaches, he was curious where that would lead him. For Denmark, that was the NFL and now part of the Bears' defense.
Denmark played nine games at cornerback last season, recording three interceptions as part of a Valdosta State team that won the Division-II national championship.
While the film of him at cornerback was limited, Denmark still made enough of an impression on the Bears.
"You see his size, you see his speed, you see the way he plays on tape," Bears coach Matt Nagy said. "You're able to take a little bit more of a risk with somebody like that who’s a little more raw.
"We’ve got time with him and he’s got traits. He’s a big guy who can do a lot of things."
Denmark has drawn inspiration from another 6-foot-3 cornerback converted from receiver -- the 49ers' Richard Sherman, a three-time All-Pro who played receiver at Stanford. The key for Denmark will be accepting all coaching and following the lead of veteran teammates, he said.
It's a tall task, but Denmark believes he's up for it.
"There are a lot of 6-3, 220 (pound) wide receivers," Denmark said. "But there are not many 6-3, 220 cornerbacks at all.
"I know I still have a lot of technique stuff to work on so I can become an absolute professional cornerback."