The Broncos have their quarterback.
They didn’t have to pay extra to get Oregon’s Bo Nix, and they didn't want to risk losing him by trading back from No. 12. Instead of risking losing him, they decided to pick him without overthinking it, even though they thought about trading back a little bit to get more picks..
They were worried about losing him even if it was for just a couple of fifth-round picks.
This means that Denver only has one pick on Day 2: No. 76 in the third round. They will have to wait for 45 players to be picked before their next selection.
Below are some of the top players available after the first round, and some might be available for Denver to trade up for or could fall to the 70s.
RB Jonathan Brooks, Texas:
Would likely be the top back in the class if not for a torn ACL in November. He was having a great year before the injury. RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee:
A player who consistently makes big plays. He had a high yards per carry average and impressive physical measurements. RB Marshawn Lloyd, USC:
Could still be available when Denver picks again. He is skilled at catching the ball and has a lot of potential in open field situations. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas:
A tall wide receiver with impressive stats in 2023 and the speed to challenge defenses in various ways. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia:
Consistently finds openings and can play in different positions. He had a strong performance in 2023 despite missing some games due to injury. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State:
Had a successful 2023 season and brings athleticism and size to the field. He also played basketball for Michigan State before transferring. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas:
Competing to be one of the top tight ends in the draft. He may not be very fast, but he is a threat in the passing game. TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State:
Had a strong senior year and has similar size and speed to Sanders. He performed well over two starting years. OL Roger Rosengarten, Washington:
A person from Highlands Ranch who performed well at Valor Christian and played as the starting right tackle for the Huskies in the last two years. He is a flexible player who can handle three or four positions on the offensive line. OL Kingsley Suamataia, BYU:
A huge individual at 6-5 and 326 pounds who was a five-star player in high school and opted for professional football after three college seasons. He started as the right tackle in 2022 and as the left tackle last autumn. OL Dominic Puni, Kansas:
Chosen as the first-team All-Big 12 player who did not allow any sacks in 342 pass-blocking attempts at left tackle in 2023 after playing as a left guard in 2022. Another person who can play various roles in the front line. OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon:
The Broncos currently have one of Nix’s previous centers, Alex Forsyth, on the team. The other is Powers-Johnson, a strong interior offensive lineman who is likely to bring great satisfaction to a team on Day 2. Edge Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan:
A highly motivated individual and relatively new to the position after playing as a tight end in high school. Kneeland is 6-3 and 267 pounds. Edge Chris Braswell, Alabama:
Recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide in 2023. A skilled athlete (ran 4.6 in the 40) who also had a interception return for a touchdown and a blocked kick last autumn. Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State:
located in Fort Collins nearby Played and he had outstanding performance. Kamara achieved 13 sacks in 2023 and 29.5 throughout his career, and likely secured a spot in the draft’s second day. DL Johnny Newton, Illinois:
Unexpectedly fell out of the first round due to Newton's offseason foot surgery. When healthy, he is a threat on the inside. He should be chosen early on Friday. DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan
: Did not have significant production (eight tackles for loss, four sacks in 44 games) but is valuable in defending against the run. At 6-3 and 299, Jenkins has size and strength and ran 4.91 in the 40 at the combine.DL Michael Hall, Ohio State:
Similar to Dre’Mont Jones and a possible choice for the Broncos around the same round of the draft as Jones (third round). He is 6-3 and 290 and has a long wingspan of over 81 inches. DL Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson:
Orhorhoro is 6-4 and 294, bringing both size and athleticism. The Nigerian native achieved eight tackles for loss in each of the past three seasons and 11.5 sacks over that period. LB Junior Colson, Michigan:
At 6-2 and 240, he is sufficiently large to cover the middle of the field. Led the Wolverines in tackles in the last two years while playing for a team that achieved a 28-1 record and won a national title. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa:
Surprisingly dropped out of the first round after breaking his leg during his senior season, but impressed at a recent training session. He won’t remain available for long on Friday. The same is likely for Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw. CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State:
At 6-1 and 190, Tampa was selected as a first-team All-Big 12 player in 2023. He started for the Cyclones for two years and achieved eight tackles for loss in addition to excelling in coverage. CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky:
Not the largest, but a spirited and tough player who stood out at the Senior Bowl. Denver may prefer more size in that position, but Phillips delivered fruitful results at 5-11. He ran 4.48 in the 40. CB Max Melton from Rutgers:
He started 40 games in college and ended his career with 114 tackles, 22 passes defended, and eight interceptions. He can play on the outside or in the slot. S Tyler Nubin from Minnesota:
He had a 55-game college career and set a school record with 13 interceptions, which could have made him a first-round pick. He was selected as a first-team All-American in 2023 after making 53 tackles and five interceptions. S Jaden Hicks from Washington State:
He is versatile and stands out at 6-2 and 215 pounds. In his third and final season in 2023, he recorded 79 tackles (including six for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two interceptions, while also blocking a kick. The Broncos have secured their quarterback and now have to wait until Friday for pick No. 76. Here are some of the top remaining players in the NFL Draft and the positions Sean Payton and George Paton might focus on.
