Going into the 2016 draft, John Elway was praised as an NFL executive that would never reach for talent in a draft. In the first round, many questioned whether Elway reached for quarterback Paxton Lynch, but with so much uncertainty about his value, not much emphasis was put on this.

In the second round, Elway certainly raised some eyebrows, choosing Australian born Adam Gotsis. Projected primarily as a fourth to fifth round pick, Gotsis was chosen with the last pick of the second round.

“He’s a guy that we had targeted, so we didn’t want to take any chances to let him slide,” said Elway.

Whether Elway reached or not will certainly be a discussion in the near future; however, Elway is confident in what Gotsis brings to the team.

“He’s big, athletic, strong, long,” said Elway. “We’re really excited about him. A guy that has a really high ceiling.”

Along with the physical skills that Elway pointed out, Gotsis knew he was ready for the NFL when he started to master the mental side of the game.

“I think that is when you know you are ready for the next level, when you are seeing the play before it is happening and you can have an effect on it that way,” said Gotsis. “I am ready for that next level and that next challenge.”

Playing Australian rules football through most of high school, Gotsis has already overcome many hurdles in his pursuit to the NFL. Now, he needs to continue to overcome the ACL injury that ended his collegiate career last Halloween.

“For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go,” said Gotsis.

Even though he didn’t grow up watching the Broncos, Gotsis knows the type of defense he is joining, and he is thrilled.

“To become part of the best defense in the last 30 years or so, it’s an awesome feeling,” said Gotsis. “They won that Super Bowl as unit. The whole defensive unit won that Super Bowl. It’s just awesome to be a part of that.”

Just as excited as Gotsis is to join the dangerous Broncos defense, the Broncos staff might be even more excited to add Gotsis to the defensive line.

“Our defensive line coach [Bill Kollar] is pretty good, and when he comes down the hall the course of the last six weeks banging on the door saying ‘you guys give me a chance to work with this guy’…John [Elway] and I felt really good about that,” said Gary Kubiak.

While Gotsis isn’t a household name, the team-first attitude, along with his excitement to play football and be a member of the Denver Broncos, is certainly something fans can be excited for.

“At the moment, I’m just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I can’t wait to get up there,” said Gotsis.

With plenty of upside and a nod from Elway, Gotsis hopefully has a similar trajectory as current Bronco, Derek Wolfe, at least we hope.