We’re now passed the NFL free agency period and last week’s draft is all but a sea of recaps. One of stronger, undeniable improvements on all fronts has been from the Denver Broncos. Jon Elway has been busy, adding a slew of talented players from cornerback A.J. Bouye, to guard Graham Glasgow, to running back Melvin Gordon during free agency in March. All of those players are positive and immediate impacts that will directly correlate with the upcoming season.
As far as Elway should be concerned, Broncos fans should be extremely impressed and excited for what transpired during the NFL Draft this past weekend. Each pick was smart, correct, and should be a very successful class once players hit the field. Let’s take a quick look at how life under the Drew Lock era will begin.
-Round 1, No. 15 pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama-
John Elway finally drafted an Alabama player entering his 10th year running the Broncos’ NFL draft efforts. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, Jeudy caught 159 passes for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns for Alabama. He was a two-time first-team All-American selection and will make an immediate impact opposite emerging wide-out Courtland Sutton.
-Round 2, No. 46 pick: KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State-
The 20-year-old had 98 catches for 1,658 yards in two seasons with the Nittany Lions after red-shirting as a freshman to rehab his knee. It’s the first time in Broncos history that they’ve taken wide-outs with their first two picks. Both Hamler and Jeudy are elite weapons for a quarterback in Drew Lock that should be able to relate to a younger core of talent on offense.
Offensive Skill Players: Courtland Sutton, Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Noah Fant
Defensive Skill Players: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Jurrell Casey, AJ Bouye
If Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs weren’t in the AFC West, I’d say this division is the Broncos to lose. Unfortunately, it’s not the case, but I am leaning heavy on this new injection of youth into a Denver franchise that hasn’t had any playoff success since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
You can currently bet on the Denver Broncos, who have a win total of 7.5 for the 2020 NFL season. You can also bet on them to win the AFC West at +800 odds.
