2024 Broncos' Season, Draft Recap

 

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. It's time to look at how the Broncos did, and analyze their picks. That kicks off with taking a potential Franchise quarterback in the First Round.

In total, the Broncos made seven selections. The team moved up in the Fourth Round, didn't have a Second or Sixth-Round pick, and made two selections in the Seventh Round. The team snagged a quarterback, a running back, two receivers, a center, an edge player, and a cornerback. Let's dive in.

In the First Round, the Broncos used the No. 12 overall pick on Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. Sean Payton was taken with Nix and thinks he has all the tools to succeed in Denver. He was part of a historic run at the position, as Nix was the sixth quarterback taken in the Top 12 picks. He joins a crowded room, as the Broncos traded for Zach Wilson from the Jets last week and still have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. The Broncos have a lot of holes to fill, so I wasn't sold on taking a quarterback. I still don't think the team will be very good, but if Payton is locked in, the Broncos have time to build around Nix, especially with a projected $100 million in cap next off-season. 

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see Stidham or Wilson start Week 1. No need to rush Nix with a middling team.

In terms of skill position players, the Broncos moved up in the Fourth Round to snag Nix's college teammate, receiver Troy Franklin. The team also grabbed Notre Dame running back Audric Estime in the Fifth Round and snagged a receiver, Devaughn Vele in the Seventh Round. Vele is an older prospect and could struggle just to make the roster, with the Broncos still holding Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick and Brandon Johnson.

Franklin is more interesting. He could be a strong addition. With Sutton, Mims, Franklin and Reynolds, the team would have a decent Top 4, especially if veteran Patrick returns strong. That could make someone like Johnson, who's shown flashes, a bubble player.

Estime is an interesting addition, too. He joins a backfield with Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and former Undrafted Free Agent Jaleel McLaughlin. Williams was a great prospect, but the past two seasons have been a slog. He's not in a contract year. So, too, is Perine. While I expect Williams to start the backfield in the lead position, Estime could be the back of the future. I like the potential here. We could also see a player like Perine be on the roster bubble, though I suspect he remains in 2024.

The Broncos also added to the offensive line, taking center Nick Gargulio with their final selection in the Seventh Round, the penultimate pick in the draft. Center is an area of need with Lloyd Cushenberry gone in free agency. The team has Luke Wattenberg, Sam Mustipher, and Alex Forsyth to compete. That's a crowd, but no one has an advantage yet. Gargulio has a shot.

Defensively, the Broncos used a Third Round pick, the team's only Day 2 pick, to strengthen the rush with Jonah Elliss. His father was also a Bronco, which makes it a nice, full-circle moment. Elliss joins a good group of young edge players.

In the Fifth Round, the team snagged a cornerback in Kris Abrams-Draine out of Missouri. The Broncos have Pat Surtain, and recently signed Levi Wallace. They also have young players Ja'Quan McMillian, Damarri Mathis, and Riley Moss. It's a crowded room that also includes veteran Tremon Smith. Abrams-Draine will have his work cut out for him.

Overall, it was a decent draft haul that helps fill out the roster for the Broncos. It will be interesting to see how many members of the Class of 2024 can make the final roster.