The Denver Broncos 2018 NFL draft class is turning heads at training camp and after the initial depth chart was released by the Broncos Tuesday. Many of the 2018 draft class rookies seeing a potential starters role or back up in the regular season.

From wide receiver Courtland Sutton to No. 5 overall pick Bradley Chubb, the Broncos may have impact players at multiple positions.

To debate the impact of the Broncos rookies, the Mile High Sports team was polled on the most impactful rookie and who Denver needs to be productive right away for the team’s success.

Nate Lundy – Co-Host of Morning’s at 5280. Weekdays 7-9am

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

Royce Freeman and it pains me to say that because he’s an Oregon Duck. The Broncos have been lacking a spark in their running game and Freeman may be the guy to give it to them if he can stay healthy and the offensive line gives him opportunities.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

Can we count Jake Butt as a rookie? Well, I’m going to and he’s my guy that NEEDS to be productive right away. The tight end has been non-existent for this team for the past few seasons while the rest of the league has continued to groom and grow at the position. It’s time for the Broncos to catch up.

Shawn Drotar – Co-Host of Morning’s at 5280. Weekdays 7-9am

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

Royce Freeman, at least it better be. If the Broncos keep having their third-and-short issues on offense, this team’s not going anywhere.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

Sam Jones. I don’t trust the Broncos’ right guards any further than I can throw them… and I probably can’t throw a 300-pound man at all, actually.

Sean Walsh – Co-host of Walsh and Notaro. Weekdays 2-4pm

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

It’s between Royce Freeman and Josey Jewell. Freeman will be Denver’s leading rusher but I also believe Jewell will emerge as a great tackler and be the toughness Denver really needs at the linebacker position.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

Royce Freeman. Denver needs someone to take over the backfield after C.J. Anderson left and I believe Freeman is the guy to do that. 

Ronnie K – Producer of Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro. Weekdays 4-6pm

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

Courtland Sutton. Sutton is in a premiere spot to emerge early as a productive option for Denver because he’ll be relatively unknown, and facing third option cornerbacks as a potential top target wide receiver talent. His physicality will be too difficult for small cornerbacks to defend and his natural ability to attack the football in the air will quickly make him a elite red-zone target.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

Can I bend the rules and say Jake Butt? He’s basically a rookie and Denver would love for him to emerge as a third weapon for Case Keenum and the offense. Not only as a strong weapon who could provide a mis-match for opposing defenses, but on third-down to move the sticks and act as the cliche ‘security blanket’ for Keenum.

Rich Kurtzman – Editor at Mile High Sports

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

Royce Freeman is going to be a impact running back in the Broncos backfield this year. As much as Denver wants to throw the ball more, now with Keenum, they’ll likely need to run to help control the speed of the game and allow the defense to do what it does best.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

DaeSean Hamilton will be the No. 3 receiver, mark my words, and they need him to step up. As good as Demaryius Thomas can be and as good as Emmanuel Sanders is, the Broncos depth at receiver has been lacking for years. This is the year they need a No. 3 guy for Keenum and the offense in general and Hamilton will be it.

Doug Ottewill – Managing Editor at Mile High Sports

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

Courtland Sutton. The Broncos need someone who can put pressure on the defense at all three wide receiver spots so Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders can avoid over the top double teams all season long. That’s been an issue, because no other pass catcher has posed a big enough threat to keep defenses honest against the Broncos best two weapons.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

Jake Butt (technically not a rookie.) Butt serves a similar purpose as the third wide receiver. At no point in the past two seasons have the Broncos have a threat at the tight end position.

If you’ve got a tight end and/or an effective slot receiver, it opens everything up – for the wideouts, for the running backs, for everything. If Butt is decent, ala Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota, then the entire offense becomes more effective

Logan Hesselius – Producer at Mile High Sports

– Which rookie — not named Bradley Chubb — will provide the most impact for the Broncos in 2018?

Courtland Sutton will provide the most impact for the Broncos this season, giving Denver crucial production because the Broncos were so skim at the WR position after Thomas and Sanders.

– Which rookie does Denver NEED to be productive right away for the team’s success?

Royce Freeman needs to show production right away to not only spell Devontae Booker, but to show he still has mileage left in him after collecting so many yards and carries at Oregon.

For more info on training camp and discussions about the Broncos, check out the Broncos Blitz podcast with podcast host Ronnie Kohrt below.

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