Three teams down. 29 to go in our draft review series. The Denver Broncos are the next team we will be covering. Seven selections were made by the AFC West team, so let’s break it down and grade their picks.
Round 1, Pick 12: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
With five quarterbacks off of the board, the Denver Broncos had to make sure they landed one of the top six. Nix was mocked by many to be a second-round pick, late first-round at the very earliest. But, Denver needed a quarterback and couldn’t risk letting Nix fall to another team.
But, it’s not completely a bad decision. The former Oregon product led the FBS with 51 total touchdowns (45 of them with his arm), and his completion percentage of 77.4% set a record. He knows how to get the ball out quickly, and can extend plays with his legs.
In the end, Denver didn’t have to trade anything to get their signal-caller of the future and got the best remaining guy at the position on the board. With Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham on the roster, it’s clear Sean Payton deserved his own guy to work with. Nix will serve that role, and most likely will be a starter from day one.
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick 76: ED Jonah Elliss, Utah
Denver’s next choice didn’t come for a while, but they still landed one of the best edge rushers in the draft. Elliss had 13 sacks in 2023, leading to an 85.3 PFF grade.
However, he does need to continue to get stronger and maintain his quickness. But, you can’t deny his talent and production for the Utes. The edge rusher can bend the corner better than most of the rushers in the draft, and the Broncos have themselves a guy for the future who can make an impact from day one.
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 102: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Oregon WR Troy Franklin to the Broncos. New weapon for Bo Nix! pic.twitter.com/WQZp9TRHou
— Football Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) April 27, 2024
The power of friendship strikes again. Franklin reunites with his quarterback in Nix, as the duo was dominant in 2023.
Franklin was Nix’s favorite target, and for good reason. The wideout had 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Ducks, serving as an explosive pass catcher and a dangerous vertical threat. At 6’3″, 187 lbs, he does need to get stronger.
But, at the end of the day, the chemistry between Franklin and Nix will make the transition to the NFL easier for them. Add in Franklin’s excellent footwork and consistent hands, and he could potentially be at the top of the depth chart by week one.
Grade: B+
Round 5, Pick 145: CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
One of my favorite cornerbacks in the draft, the former Tiger fell to the late rounds. But, he lands in a great situation with the Broncos where he can compete for the CB2 job opposite of Patrick Surtain II.
Abrams-Draine ranked first among all cornerbacks with 34 incompletions in off-coverage in the past three seasons combined. He simply knows how to make a play on the ball, and is excellent at reading the eyes of the quarterback. Along with his experience on special teams, he will see the field early. It’s a matter of nabbing that starting cornerback job.
He does need to get stronger, considering his lack of strength led to missed tackles when they happened. He is still getting used to being a cornerback, as he used to be a receiver to start his career at Missouri. But, he has shown he’s capable of handling his own, and the Denver Broncos gets a steal this late.
Grade: B+
Round 5, Pick 147: RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Another one of my favorite players in the draft, Estime is simply a power back who can break tackles with ease.
Don’t believe me? Consider the fact that he forced 64 defenders to miss their tackles in 2023. That led to an outstanding 94.2 PFF grade. In total, he ran the ball 209 times for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns. 892 of those yards came after contact, which was good for ninth in college football.
He has a great build for a back and continues to churn his legs no matter what. For a guy that’s 230 pounds, he’s quick and light on his feet.
With Javonte Williams already the RB1, Estime comes in with no pressure as the RB2. Those two are going to be good together.
Grade: A-
Round 7, Pick 235: WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
A solid football player, the 6’4″ wideout has good size and speed to go along with it. Vele has the ability to make acrobatic catches and is fast enough to be a vertical threat.
He adds to a receiver room that lost Jerry Jeudy to the Browns via a trade. Special teams are more likely his position to start his career.
Grade: C+
Round 7, Pick 256: OL Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina
The 6’5″ lineman is very versatile, playing at center, guard, and even tackle during his time in college. One thing to note: he allowed just two sacks in 1,400+ pass-blocking snaps in college. The Denver Broncos were glad to get someone like this in the last round.
Though he won’t maul opposing defenders, he is a solid blocker who picks up pressures in pass protection and stunts with not much difficulty.
Grade: C+
OVERALL GRADE: A-
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Featured Image: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
