When it comes to the foundation of the Denver Broncos going forward, the 2024 NFL rookie class could be the starting point that Sean Payton hopes to build on.
Could Denver Broncos rookie class be foundation for Sean Payton?
When Sean Payton took the head coaching gig for the Denver Broncos in 2023, he came into the mix right before the Super Bowl, in the middle of free agency meetings, and just a month and a half out from that draft.
Without a first and second-round pick, Payton’s hands were tied a little bit. Denver’s top picks were Marvin Mims Jr., who they traded up for in the second round, Drew Sanders, and Riley Moss as their two third-round selections.
The Broncos would round out their roster with JL Skinner and Alex Forsyth in the sixth and seventh rounds to conclude Payton’s first draft with the team.
Denver’s 2024 rookie class has an entirely different vibe to it. Not only did Denver have replenished draft capital in this year’s draft, but they also used their top pick on Bo Nix, who Payton believes in as the team’s future at the position.
The optimism has already crept into Broncos Country, which has expressed excitement over the team’s pick, but for Payton, this class will likely be one that defines his entire tenure as the team’s head coach.
While Nix’s trajectory will hold the most weight, on paper, it seems like the Broncos are building for the future in the right way beginning with this class.
Not only will Nix have a big impact, but Jonah Elliss, Troy Franklin, Kris Abrams-Draine, Audric Estime, Devaughn Vele, and Nick Gargiulo will all be under the microscope.
Elliss could become a future starter for Denver at outside linebacker while early optics seem to suggest that Franklin and Vele could play a big role early on the offensive side of the ball if their trajectory plays out the way the team hoped for when they drafted him.
Estime could very well see impactful minutes right away in a rotation at the RB position and Abrams-Draine could carve out a role for himself defensively as a rookie. The way this team is built, they could rely a lot on their younger players earlier than expected.
If you combine these players with Denver’s 2021 rookie draft class, which has six players scheduled to be starters in 2024, the future appears to be bright for the Broncos while pressure mounts on Payton to help Denver win.
While the expectations are high, things will have to continue to play out in OTAs and training camp before we truly establish an idea of where this rookie class can contribute right away.
Despite 2023’s awful start, Payton and the Broncos finished with eight wins, which was the most they’ve had in a single season since 2016.
Can the Denver Broncos win more than eight games this year in what appears to be a better overall situation for the team?
