The Denver Broncos wrapped up their 2024 NFL Draft class this past weekend and came away with a variety of players that will be part of how George Paton and Sean Payton look to build the team going forward.
Denver Broncos 2024 Draft class a home run on paper
It’s common practice following the NFL Draft to see outlets and folks throw out grades about a team’s draft class, but that practice is only a content grab. Grading a class is hard when they haven’t played a single down of football at the NFL level.
Three years is a great timeline to start giving out grades on any specific class. However, on paper, we can collectively look at the Broncos draft class and make assumptions on how good of a draft it was for the team based on the player, the fit, the vision, and what type of role they’re anticipated to play.
From that category, the Broncos upgraded their roster significantly over the weekend.
Broncos ready to build around Bo Nix
Bo Nix headlines Denver’s rookie class, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding him. The former Oregon Ducks standout was a Heisman candidate last year after his 4500 yard passing season that also saw him throw for 45 touchdowns compared just three interceptions.
His command as the signal caller helped the Ducks have one of the better offenses in the nation last season. Nix is excited to get to work, and Denver has added some pieces to build around him.
Paton and Payton added Nix’s top receiving target in Troy Franklin, Notre Dame’s bruising tailback Audric Estime, Utah’s Devaughn Vele, and have a complimentary selection of others already on the roster featuring Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds, Greg Dulcich, and Javonte Williams.
Denver’s offensive line is already set for the most part, with center being up in the air with an upcoming competition between Alex Forsyth, Luke Wattenberg, and veteran Sam Mustipher. The odds on favorite to start at center is Forsyth, who was Nix’s center at Oregon in 2022.
Denver adds three defensive pieces during the draft
With only seven utilized picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos added two players in the selection process and traded for a powerhouse at the defensive end position.
Former Utah pass rusher Jonah Elliss is going to add depth to the outside linebacker room and possesses a lot of upside. The Broncos felt like their edge rush group was already a strength of their team, but wanted to add more to it.
“You’re never afraid to draft at the top on your strength,” Payton said after drafting Elliss. “We’ll sort that out. It’s always a harder position to find in the offseason and in free agency, and so we felt like he definitely checked the pressure player box, and then we’ll sort through that depth as we get to it.”
On top of that, Denver traded for John Franklin-Myers, who will not only add to the team’s ability to get after the quarterback but also help them in the run-stopping department, which was a top priority for Paton and Payton this offseason.
“It is something we have been working on the past couple of weeks,” Paton said. “He is a player that we have always respected. He is durable. For three straight years he has not missed a game, and four straight years of 54-plus pressures. He can play all down the line of scrimmage. The one thing that sticks out on tape is the relentless motor this guy plays with. We are excited to get him. It took a bit, but he was here today in the building. He is going to help our defensive line.”
Then, to boost their secondary, the Broncos added Mizzou cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine who has the ability to play on the outside and slide to the inside in a hybrid flex role. “[CB Kris] Abrams-Draine is someone we had a lot of exposure with in the offseason,” Payton said. “He has really good versatility. He is kind of an outside-in corner flex.”
He’ll join Patrick Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss, Levi Wallace, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Tremon Smith as the headline players at the position.
On paper, the Denver Broncos additions have their roster in a better position and, overall, have Broncos Country excited.
Broncos finalized draft class
Round 1, Pick 12: Bo Nix – Quarterback, Oregon.
Round 3, Pick 72: Jonah Elliss – Outside linebacker, Utah.
Round 4, Pick 102: Troy Franklin – Wide receiver, Oregon.
Round 5, Pick 145: Kris Abrams-Draine – Cornerback, Missouri.
Round 5, Pick 147: Audric Estime – Running back, Notre Dame.
Round 7, Pick 135: Devaughn Vele – Wide receiver, Utah.
Round 7, Pick 156: Nick Gargiulo – Offensive guard, South Carolina.
Trade from New York Jets: John Franklin-Myers – defensive end.
On paper, Denver got significantly better roster wise, but time will tell if that comes to fruition or not from a results standpoint.
