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Grading Broncos’ Day 2 of the NFL draft: The Post’s sports staff weigh in on second, third round

The Post’s sports staff weighs in with grades after the Denver Broncos drafted Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B+

A solid grade for Denver on two fronts and with one caveat. The Broncos hit a position of need at No. 76 overall in Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss. They also stayed patient. After picking at No. 12 instead of trading back Thursday, the only way to move up from No. 76 in a meaningful way would have been to deal a player or dip into 2025 draft capital. Instead, Denver held on to its assets and picked a player with the skillset to help early — if he stays healthy. Some risk there given Elliss’ shoulder and hamstring issues, but a solid bet to make deep into Day 2.

Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B

Elliss plays with a high-motor, a trait that helped him collect 12 sacks in his final season at Utah. He will need to improve as a run defender, and his shoulder injury, which forced him to not work out at the scouting combine, is a bit concerning. But Elliss has the potential to be a solid rotational player as a rookie who could develop into a starter on the edge in the future.

Troy Renck, sports columnist

Grade: B

Utah’s Jonah Elliss brings energy and intensity to the edge. He has good hands, but needs to add more counter moves to his arsenal. He likely will need to bulk up to help him support the run. He profiles as a sub package pass rusher as a rookie for a group that hasn’t had a player reach double-digit sacks since 2018. That is too much to ask for as a rookie, but his ceiling suggests it is possible by Year 3 as he grows into a full-time role.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist

Grade: B

Troy Franklin? No? Anyone? Elliss is fine — lean, mean, great bloodlines. If you love your edge-rushers with a no-quit engine, you’re going to love this guy. His first-down, short-yardage mileage is still TBD, but Luther’s kid won’t be awed by the stage. Or by Patrick Mahomes. Promise you that.

Matt Schubert, sports editor

Grade: C+

The Broncos pass rush needs help. That much is true. Jonah Elliss has the pedigree (dad, Luther, could play) and the production (16.5 sacks at Utah). But it sure would’ve been nice to give first-round pick Bo Nix an extra weapon on offense — especially with so many good ones still on the board.

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/grading-broncos-day-2-nfl-draft-second-third-rounds/
Broncos analysis: After landing QB Bo Nix on Day 1, Denver starts process of making his job “a lit

Almost anything in football can be viewed in relation to the quarterback.

The premium positions beside the guy under center? Those who can protect him, impact him or make plays in the passing game for him.

When you’ve got a rookie like the Broncos do after taking Oregon’s Bo Nix in the first round Thursday night, that emphasis only grows.

“The (rookie quarterback) challenge is exciting, but it’s still, you want good quarterback play,” Payton said Thursday night. “The two biggest allies to that, I believe strongly, are good defensive play and a running game. In other words, if you are a quarterback and you’re having trouble running the ball — or let’s get worse — if you’re a quarterback and you’re having trouble running the ball or stopping people, your job description becomes very difficult.

“When you’re playing good defense and you have a running game, your job description is a little bit more palatable.”

With needs across the board, then, the Broncos set about working on the defensive side of the ball with their lone Day 2 selection, drafting Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss with the No. 76 overall pick.

Elliss has backfield production that rivals anybody in the class. He’s on the smaller side at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, but that didn’t stop him from racking up 12 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in just 10 games his final season playing for a rugged Utes defense led by longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham.

“My effort is elite when it comes to the game. I think that’s just how I was raised,” said Elliss, whose father, Luther, finished his playing career with the Broncos in 2004 and later served as the team’s chaplain, including for the 2015 Super Bowl 50 championship team. “I’m a great pass-rusher and I bring that to a team, as well. Where I need to grow is just perfecting the little things, the little techniques, especially in my run fits.”

The Broncos defense had bright moments in 2023, particularly during a turnover binge-fueled five-game winning streak, but overall languished near the bottom of the league. Among ESPN’s team win-rate stats, Denver finished 30th in pass rush and 28th in stopping the run.

They’re hoping Elliss can join a group of young pass-rushers to improve those marks.

Ideally, teams in the NFL are drafting not to plug current gaps but with eyes on the future. Elliss joins a group of edge rushers the Broncos like in Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto and potentially Drew Sanders. Still, Browning and Cooper are entering the final years of their rookie contracts and as such it is easy to see Elliss as both a complementary piece as soon as he’s ready and also a potential replacement or supplement beginning in 2025.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Elliss said he patterns his game after Hassan Reddick, who blossomed into a difference-maker in Arizona under now-Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

“We have a similar stature and we kind of use the same moves,” Elliss said. “He’s really a speed guy and that’s what I’m trying to be, too. I watched his film a lot during the offseason going into my junior year.”

Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) celebrates a fumble recovery against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Salt Lake City. Luther Elliss earned consensus All-American honors as a senior at Utah in 1994 while helping lead his team to its first 10-win season in school history. Jonah Elliss has thrived under his father's tutelage. He leads the Pac-12 with 10.0 sacks and 83 sack yards.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) celebrates a fumble recovery against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Now Denver goes into a busy third day of the draft having simultaneously hit on two positions of need while also showing restraint uncommon of Payton teams. The Broncos used each of their first two picks at their assigned slots and now have six Saturday selections.

In many ways, the start of the draft is similar to how the Broncos have operated this offseason. They’ve spent modestly. They’ve exercised patience more often than aggression. They’ve kept an eye on the future while plugging holes in the present. Now they’ll have a chance to add several low-budget players to the roster in a portion of the draft where the talent is expected to drop off but where gems can still be identified.

Denver has No. 121 in the fourth round and then three of the first 12 picks in the fifth round (Nos. 136, 145 and 147).

The quarterback was the fun part. These are the days that help determine how well-built the support system around him is.

EDGE Jonah Elliss

Utah defensive lineman Jonah Elliss speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Utah defensive lineman Jonah Elliss speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Round/pick: 3rd/No. 76

Age: 21

Height/weight: 6-foot-2/248 pounds

College: Utah

Hometown: Moscow, Idaho

Notable: Elliss comes from a football family. His father, Luther, was a two-time Pro Bowler who played nine seasons for the Detroit Lions and one with the Broncos. His brothers, Kaden, Christian and Noah, currently play in the NFL. In 2023, he collected 37 tackles (16 for loss), 12 sacks and three passes defended in 10 games before missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in February.

Quotable: Elliss on his dad’s time with the Broncos: “He still talks about how great of a culture and what a great fanbase they have out there. Honestly, the culture is something he mentions a lot and how it’s just a really good bond out there.”

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/broncos-analysis-jonah-elliss-nfl-draft-day-2/
Broncos select Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss with 76th overall pick

Broncos select Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss with 76th overall pick

27/04/2024, USA, American Football, NFL, Article # 31750436

After the Broncos landed its franchise quarterback, they addressed the defense on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Denver drafted former Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss with the 76th overall pick in the third round on Friday night. Elliss will join quarterback Bo Nix, who was selected in the first round (12th overall) on Thursday.

Elliss played in 35 career games (18 starts) at Utah, totaling 78 tackles and 16 sacks — tied for seventh-most for a season in program history. In 2023, he collected 37 tackles (16 for loss), 12 sacks and three passes defended in 10 games before missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in February.

Elliss comes from a football family. His father, Luther, was a two-time Pro Bowler who played nine seasons for the Detroit Lions and one with the Broncos. His brothers, Kaden, Christian and Noah, currently play in the NFL.

Elliss will be added to Denver’s young edge rusher group that consists of Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper. Drew Sanders is a wild card, as the team is debating whether to keep him as an inside linebacker or transition him to full-time edge rusher.

Broncos general manager George Paton likes the team’s depth at outside linebacker after Bonitto (eight sacks) and Cooper (8.5 sacks) posted career-best sack totals. Still, the Broncos were 29th in pressure percentage (18.2%), 20th in sack percentage (6.8%) and tied for 21st in team sack totals (42), according to Pro Football Reference.

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/broncos-jonah-elliss-third-round-nfl-draft-utah/
Ravens take former Valor Christian standout Roger Rosengarten in second round

Ravens take former Valor Christian standout Roger Rosengarten in second round

27/04/2024, USA, American Football, NFL, Article # 31750417

Former Valor Christian football and basketball star Roger Rosengarten watched his dream turn into a reality on Friday night.

The Baltimore Ravens took Rosengarten, a Highlands Ranch native, in the second round (62nd overall) of the NFL draft.

Rosengarten will join a Ravens’ draft class that currently consists of Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was taken 30th overall on Thursday.

Rosengarten, who didn’t start playing offensive line until his junior year of high school, developed into a four star prospect and the top-ranked player in Colorado from the 2020 class, according to 247sports.

Rosengarten played in 33 games during his four-year stint at Washington. He protected quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside over the last two seasons, starting in 28 contests.

In 2023, Rosengarten played a major role in the Huskies’ run to the national title game, as he didn’t allow a sack in 984 snaps at right tackle, two at right guard and three at left tackle, according to Pro Football Focus.

Rosengarten improved his stock during the NFL scouting combine after he completed the 40-yard dash in 4.92 seconds — the fastest among offensive linemen. Last month, NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Rosengarten had the potential to be a late first- or early second-round pick.

“He had a rough national title game but a good year overall,” Kiper said. “If he would’ve (went) back (to Washington), he would’ve gone higher.”

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/valor-christian-roger-rosengarten-baltimore-ravens-nfl-draft/
Keeler: Broncos QB Bo Nix isn’t Drew Lock. Or Jay Cutler. Or Russell Wilson. “I’m excited to j

For all the talk on what he is, or what he will be … let’s start with who Bo Nix isn’t.

He’s not Russell Wilson. Thank goodness.

“I know my role, OK?” David Morris, Bo Nix’s personal QB coach and founder of QB Country, told me with a chuckle. “And I’m not up there to try and tell Sean Payton how to coach quarterbacks. I’m here for Bo and when he needs advice in the offseason and (for) supplementary things I know. I know how lucky he is to be coached by him and by all those guys up there.”

If Nix commands a huddle half as well as he commanded the podium at Dove Valley on Friday, the Broncos are good to go.

“I’m excited to just embrace it all,” Nix said. “That’s what I was able to do at Oregon. You go around and you watch other teams and support the city. Not just the organization and the teams, but to be around for the rest of the city and just show up. Because ultimately, on Sundays, they’re going to show up for you. So that’s what I’m excited about.”

The franchise savior? He’s human. Which is a delightful change of pace from young Jay Cutler, the last Broncos quarterback (2006) to be drafted in the first half of the first round before Nix went at No. 12 on Thursday. Cutler was a crusty young sort, a curmudgeon before his time.

“I see (and) feel a lot of Jake Locker with Nix,” said Fox Sports analyst Brock Huard, an old Pac-12 QB himself, of the Broncos’ new rookie signal-caller. “Having to play early on a bad team would be incredibly detrimental to his NFL future.

“He’s a plus-athlete, plus-character prospect. His arm is good, not great, though the Rocky Mountain air would help. If Sean (Payton) goes back to his QB roots, Nix checks Bill Parcells’ wish list for the position: Tough. Productive. No drama. Leader.”

So he’s not Drew Lock, either.

No dancing. No COVID-19 shenanigans.

“We have a great opportunity here. It’s an unreal organization. (Denver) fans are incredible. They put so much effort to watch us succeed,” Nix said. “Everyone that is a part of the organization, that’s what our goal is. So for me, I just have to start from somewhere and just grow each and every day to be the best player that I can possibly be for my teammates and for my coaches.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this quarterback room with Ben (DiNucci), Zach (Wilson) and Jarrett (Stidham). Obviously, they’ve had great careers thus far. They’re all different, but I feel like we’re kind of all made up the same — just ultimate competitors and excited to grow as players.”

No ego. No conceits. No airs. Faith, family, football. Raiders first, social media sixth.

“He’s been coached hard,” Morris explained. “He expects that. By the same token, look, Sean Payton is one of the best. So anytime you can take coaching from him, it’s a great opportunity.

“Bo expects excellence and demands it of himself first. I think those two together, it’s going to be competitive — I kind of foresee highly competitive, exciting, creative things going on between those two.”

Nix is 24 and still came off Friday as wise beyond his years, measured and mature. A yes-sir, no-ma’am gentleman, without being remotely hokey.

Or remotely hockey.

“I know the Avalanche are really good, I hear,” the Broncos QB said. “I’m not necessarily a huge hockey fan, but I’ll watch a game …”

His eyes darted nervously, as if taking careful steps not to offend this puck-happy home.

” … or … match.”

Cue the scribe laughter.

Even Nix smiled at that one.

“I don’t even technically know what it’s called,” he continued.

All good. And if you bring your “A” version of it to Empower Field, dude, you can call it whatever you like.

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/bo-nix-broncos-nfl-draft-pick-qb-meets-media/
Bo Nix on why he can be fast processor Sean Payton covets: “You have to be as efficient as possibl

Bo Nix’s eyes widened just a little.

There will be many of those moments as a rookie in the NFL, but this time it wasn’t a learning experience. It was a chance to talk about something he and his new head coach, Sean Payton, both believe will serve him well in the NFL.

His brain and how it works on the football field.

“You have to be as efficient as possible,” he said. “So processing to me means taking something from the sideline, being able to evaluate it, see all of the pros and the cons of the play and understand that whatever happens, you have to react to it.”

Payton during the pre-draft process talked about finding a quarterback who can handle several decisions in a handful of seconds and do it over and over and over again.

Nix rattled off how he goes about doing that.

“So every play starts with, in the league, it starts with a huddle and starts with a play call,” he said as he got rolling. “There’s probably a shift or a motion or a movement. There’s going to be a cadence, there’s going to be probably a primary play and a secondary play. All of this is just your offense, so now you have to look at the defense and see what they’re in. You have to see the front, through the linebackers to the safeties. Once you see that, you just process everything and you hope your preparation has led you up to the point to where you can find the solution, find the answer quickly.”

Nix knows it’s one thing to talk about it, another to excel at it and yet another challenge entirely to master the NFL game.

It won’t happen overnight. But Denver’s rookie indicated he wasn’t planning to sit around and wait for it to develop on its own, either.

“At the beginning of this process, it’s going to be reading and reciting plays over and over and over so you can spit it out in the huddle because if nobody knows what to do, you’re all going to be wrong once you get to the line of scrimmage,” he said. “… It’s not just about processing it, it’s also about how fast you can do it. So again, I think it’s some people’s second nature and it can also be developed. The processing from college to the league is going to be different. The game could be faster, the speed of the game will be a faster tempo.

“You have to take that with a grain of salt because I think the best decision-makers, the best processors are the ones who do it quickly and don’t overcomplicate the game.”

The ability to throw the deep corner route matters. The ability to marry eyes and footwork matters. The ability to lead matters. As much as anything, though, Nix’s mind is what Payton and the Broncos are betting on being a differentiator in the years to come.

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/bo-nix-processing-sean-payton-offense/
What do Bo Nix, Russell Wilson and Dan Marino have in common?

What do Bo Nix, Russell Wilson and Dan Marino have in common?

27/04/2024, USA, American Football, NFL, Article # 31750142

If past were prologue, the Broncos would be sitting on a goldmine.

Of course, that’s not how history works and it’s not how football works, but what’s the harm in a little historical coincidence?

Denver on Thursday night drafted Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick, making him the sixth quarterback selected and marking the first time six had been taken in the first round since 1983.

It just so happens that the 1983 class, led by John Elway at No. 1, is considered perhaps the greatest quarterback class of all time.

The sixth quarterback taken that year? Dan Marino, No. 27 to the Miami Dolphins. That worked out pretty well.

Elway, Marino and Jim Kelly (No. 14 to Buffalo) are all NFL Hall of Famers.

Of course, that year is an outlier in NFL history, though there are a handful of other success stories from QB6 in other draft classes.

In 2012, Seattle grabbed Russell Wilson at No. 75. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

In 2011, San Francisco picked Colin Kaepernick at No. 36.

Gus Frerotte went No. 197 overall to Washington in 1994 and threw for more than 21,000 yards in his career.

In between, there’s a whole lot of names. Jake Haener just finished his first year in the league with New Orleans without seeing game action, but before him there are 10 QB6’s who never appeared in an NFL game. Many more only saw spot duty. There’s John Dutton – not the Yellowstone character, we’re pretty sure – and John David Booty and John Skelton.

The average QB6 in the last 41: 28.5 games played and 4,687 passing yards.

Before 1983, the most notable No. 6 quarterback in a class was Dan Fouts, who went No. 64 overall in 1973 to San Diego and put together a Hall of Fame career over 15 seasons for the Chargers. Ken Anderson was also the sixth quarterback taken in 1971, played 15 years and threw for more than 32,800 yards.

Here’s the entire list back to 1983:

Sixth QB taken in each NFL Draft (1983-2024)

Year Name School Round Pick By Games Yards
2024 Bo Nix Oregon 1 12 Denver
2023 Jake Haener Fresno State 4 127 New Orleans 0 0
2022 Sam Howell North Carolina 5 144 Washington 18 4,115
2021 Kyle Trask Florida 2 64 Tampa Bay 3 23
2020 Jacob Eason Washington 4 122 Indianapolis 2 84
2019 Ryan Finley NC State 4 104 Cincinnati 8 638
2018 Mason Rudolph Oklahoma St. 3 76 Pittsburgh 21 3,085
2017 C.J. Beathard Iowa 3 104 San Francisco 32 3,886
2016 Cody Kessler USC 3 93 Cleveland 17 2,215
2015 Brett Hundley UCLA 5 147 Green Bay 18 1,902
2014 Logan Thomas Virginia Tech 4 120 Arizona 94 124
2013 Tyler Wilson Arkansas 4 112 Oakland 0 0
2012 Russell Wilson Wisconsin 3 75 Seattle 188 43,653
2011 Colin Kaepernick Nevada 2 36 San Francisco 69 12,271
2010 John Skelton Fordham 5 155 Arizona 20 3,707
2009 Rhett Bomar Sam Houston St. 5 151 N.Y. Giants 0 0
2008 John David Booty USC 5 137 Minnesota 0 0
2007 Trent Edwards Stanford 3 92 Buffalo 38 6,033
2006 Charlie Whitehurst Clemson 3 81 San Diego 25 2,463
2005 David Greene Georgia 3 85 Seattle 0 0
2004 Luke McCown Louisiana Tech 4 106 Cleveland 62 2,370
2003 Chris Simms Texas 3 97 Tampa Bay 23 3,117
2002 Rohan Davey LSU 4 117 New England 7 88
2001 Sage Rosenfels Iowa State 4 109 Washington 44 4,156
2000 Spergon Wynn Texas State 6 183 Cleveland 10 585
1999 Shaun King Tulane 2 50 Tampa Bay 34 4,566
1998 John Dutton Nevada 6 172 Miami 0 0
1997 Chuck Clements Houston 6 191 N.Y. Jets 1 0
1996 Mike Cawley James Madison 6 205 Indianapolis 0 0
1995 Eric Zeier Georgia 3 84 Cleveland 28 3,520
1994 Gus Frerotte Tulsa 7 197 Washington 147 21,291
1993 Alex Van Pelt Pittsburgh 8 216 Pittsburgh 31 2,895
1992 Casey Weldron Florida State 4 102 Philadelphia 26 713
1991 Donald Hollas Rice 4 99 Cincinnati 32 2,399
1990 Troy Taylor California 4 84 N.Y. Jets 7 125
1989 Jeff Graham Long Beach St. 4 87 Green Bay 0 0
1988 Mike Perez San Jose St. 7 175 N.Y. Giants 0 0
1987 Mark Vlasic Iowa 4 88 San Diego 15 762
1986 Robbie Bosco BYU 3 72 Green Bay 0 0
1985 Steve Calabria Colgate 9 232 Tampa Bay 0 0
1984 Dean May Louisville 5 138 Miami 5 33
1983 Dan Marino Pittsburgh 1 27 Miami 145 61,361

* Pro Football Reference data

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/broncos-bo-nix-russell-wilson-draft/
Broncos coach Sean Payton on trade for QB Zach Wilson: “We saw talent”

Broncos coach Sean Payton on trade for QB Zach Wilson: “We saw talent”

26/04/2024, USA, American Football, NFL, Article # 31749518

When the Broncos traded for Jets quarterback Zach Wilson earlier this week, head coach Sean Payton said the move wasn’t meant to be a smoke screen ahead of Thursday night’s NFL draft.

Payton made it clear that the team was looking to add a veteran quarterback. And for weeks, he said general manager George Paton has been working with the Jets to get a deal done.

“There was no specific timing. It just took a little bit of time,” Payton said after Thursday’s first round. “I know when (traded for) him (was) closer to the draft, but it could’ve very well been three weeks ago.”

Denver loaded up its quarterback room this week, acquiring Wilson and drafting former Oregon star Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick.

Although all signs point toward Nix being the franchise signal caller, Payton expects all the quarterbacks, including Jarrett Stidham, to compete for a starting job.

Stidham has started four career games, including the final two of last season, throwing for 496 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Wilson made 33 starts for the Jets. Nix is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the draft class, starting in 61 career games in five seasons on the college level.

“(Former Cowboys head coach) Bill (Parcells) taught me a long time ago to let them play,” Payton said. “We (have) to maximize the reps that we have, let them develop and that stuff will sort itself out.”

Wilson’s production hasn’t matched his expectations coming out of BYU as the second overall draft pick in 2021. He threw for 6,923 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in three seasons in New York.

After two underwhelming seasons, the Jets decided to trade for 2-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. However, Wilson saw himself back in the starting lineup after Rodgers tore his Achilles in the season-opener against the Buffalo Bills.

Wilson still struggled under center, throwing for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. His NFL journey thus far has been shaky, but the Broncos value his traits.

“There were a number of veteran quarterbacks that signed contracts and yet, we saw talent with a player who just three years ago, was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft,” Payton said. “…I think the first step for all these guys (is to figure out) what they do well.”

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/25/broncos-zach-wilson-trade-sean-payton/
Best available Day 2 prospects for Broncos: Without trade activity ramping up, Denver has long wait

The Broncos have their quarterback.

They didn’t have to pay anything extra to get Oregon’s Bo Nix, either, though they also weren’t willing to risk losing him by trading back even a few spots from No. 12.

“We just didn’t want to overthink it,” general manager George Paton said. “This is our guy. Let’s just take our guy. We did think about (moving back). Not too far. We could have moved a couple of spots back, maybe got some picks, but this was our guy. Let’s just take him and not overthink it.

“We would have been sick if we’d lost him just for a couple of fifth-round picks.”

So instead Denver heads into Day 2 with just one pick to its name: No. 76 in the third round. If they stay there, 45 players will come off the board before they make their next pick.

Here are some of the best players available after Thursday’s first round. Though many of them will come off the board beginning with Buffalo at No. 33, but these are the players that could convince Denver to try to move up or could fall to the 70s.

RB Jonathan Brooks, Texas: Would probably be the unanimous top back in the class if not for a torn ACL in November and still could be the first back off the board. Brooks waited behind Bijan Robinson at UT and was having a great year (1,139 yards on 6.1 per) before the injury.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: A walking explosive play. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry for the Vols in 2023. He ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 210 pounds, posted a 38-inch vertical and an 11-2 broad jump.

RB Marshawn Lloyd, USC: A guy who could be around when Denver’s second turn comes up. Lloyd is smooth catching the ball and has big-time ability in the open field. Ran 4.46 in the 40 at 220 pounds and averaged 7.1 per carry for the Trojans.

WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas: Rangy wideout at 6-2 and 205 who had 845 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds and can stress defenses in multiple ways.

WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia: Always open and has the versatility to play in the slot or outside. Ran 4.39 in the 40 at 6-foot and 186 pounds. Played in nine games in 2023 due to injury after 58 catches for 762 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.

WR Keon Coleman, Florida State: Had 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023 after transferring from Michigan State. Big-time athlete played hoops for the Spartans, too. Ran a modest 4.61 in the 40 but is imposing at 6-3 and 213 pounds.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: In the mix to be the second tight end off the board after Brock Bowers, who went No. 13. Sanders is a receiving threat who averaged 15.2 yards per catch as a junior. Doesn’t run particularly fast — 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine — but is dangerous in the receiving game at 6-4 and 250.

TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State: A big senior year with 676 yards and six TDs. Similar size (6-4, 250) and timed speed to Sanders (4.68 at combine). Compiled 1,123 receiving yards and 10 TDs over two years starting

OL Roger Rosengarten, Washington: Highlands Ranch native who starred at Valor Christian and started the past two years at right tackle for the Huskies. Versatile player who can man three or four spots on the offensive line.

OL Kingsley Suamataia, BYU: Massive guy at 6-5 and 326 pounds who was a five-star player out of high school and turned pro after three college seasons. Started at right tackle in 2022 and left tackle last fall.

OL Dominic Puni, Kansas: First-team All-Big 12 selection who didn’t allow a sack in 342 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023 after playing left guard in 2022. Another guy who can play several positions up front.

OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon: The Broncos already have one of Nix’s former centers on the roster in Alex Forsyth. The other is Powers-Johnson, a tank of an interior offensive lineman who is likely to make a team very happy on Day 2.

Edge Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan: Big-time motor and relatively young at the position after playing TE in high school. Kneeland is 6-3 and 267 pounds.

Edge Chris Braswell, Alabama: Had 10.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide in 2023. Good athlete (ran 4.6 in the 40) who also had a pick-six and a blocked kick last fall.

Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: Played just up the road in Fort Collins and all he did was produce. Kamara had 13 sacks in 2023 and 29.5 for his career and likely played his way into the draft’s second day.

DL Johnny Newton, Illinois: A surprise fall out of the first round for Newton, who had offseason foot surgery. When healthy, he’s a menace inside. He should hear his name called quickly on Friday.

DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan: Never had huge production (eight TFLs, four sacks in 44 career games) but he’s an asset against the run. At 6-3 and 299, Jenkins has length and strength and ran 4.91 in the 40 at the combine.

DL Michael Hall, Ohio State: Hall is cut from the Dre’Mont Jones cloth and a Broncos option in the same range of the draft as Jones (third round). He’s 6-3 and 290 and has a big wingspan at better than 81 inches.

DL Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson: Orhorhoro is 6-4 and 294 and brings size and athleticism to the table. The Nigerian native has eight TFLs each of the past three seasons and 11.5 sacks over that span.

LB Junior Colson, Michigan: At 6-2 and 240 is more than big enough to patrol the middle of the field. Led the Wolverines in tackles the past two years while playing for a team that went 28-1 and won a national title.

CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa: A surprising fall out of the first round for DeJean, who broke his leg during his senior season but impressed at a workout earlier this month. He won’t last long Friday. Same likely goes for Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw.

CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State: At 6-1 and 190, Tampa was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023. Started for the Cyclones for two years and had eight TFLs in addition to the coverage work.

CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky: Not the biggest, but a feisty, tough player who stood out at the Senior Bowl. Denver may want more size at the position, but Phillips produced at 5-11. Ran 4.48 in the 40.

CB Max Melton, Rutgers: A 40-game collegiate starter who finished his career with 114 tackles, 22 passes defended and eight interceptions. Can play outside or in the slot.

S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota: A 55-game college career and school-record 13 interceptions who could have gone in the first round. He was named a first-team All-American in 2023 after he accounted for 53 tackles and five interceptions.

S Jaden Hicks, Washington State: Can do everything and is imposing at 6-2 and 215. He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, his third and final season, logging 79 tackles (six for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of picks while also blocking a kick.

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https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/25/broncos-draft-best-available-day-2/
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