The 2023 NFL draft is in the books!
Following last week’s draft, I joined Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on Twitter) on this week’s Broncos Wire podcast to discuss each of the team’s picks, Denver’s plan at running back, free agents still available and more!
You can listen to episode No. 79 below:
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Our unedited notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
Quick notes on each draft pick
Round 2: WR Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
- Denver traded 3rd- and 5th-round picks to the Lions in exchange for 2nd- (Mims) and 6th-round picks. Not a bad value at all.
- Mims is speedy (4.38 40-yard dash) and a good punt returner (16 yards per punt return last season)
- Another WR! What’s going on at the position? (Bad news for KJ Hamler)
Round 3: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
- 2 years at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas
- Impressive pass-rush ability for an ILB (9.5 sacks last year)
- Behind Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton, likely a special teams player as a rookie with a chance to become a LB starter down the road
- NFL.com expected he would be 1st- or 2nd-round pick
Round 3: CB Riley Moss, Iowa
- Denver traded 2023 4th-round pick and 2024 3rd-round pick to Seattle in exchange for a 2022 3rd (Moss).
- Maybe a little steep, but Broncos think he’s worth it.
- Ran a 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds (Surtain was 4.46 at his pro day)
Round 6: Safety JL Skinner, Boise State
- NFL.com expected him to be a 3rd- or 4th-round pick.
- Could end up being a big steal. Big hitter.
- Probably behind Caden Sterns as a rookie.
Round 7: C Alex Forsyth, Oregon (four-SYTH)
- Finally, a center! Probably won’t start Week 1 but has good long-term upside. Some draft pundits had a fifth-round grade on him.
Trade: TE Adam Trautman, Saints
- Denver sent a 6th-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for Trautman and a 7th-round pick.
- Payton drafted Trautman in the 3rd round of the 2020 NFL draft and seems to really like him. He’ll probably be TE2 behind Greg Dulcich.
What happens at running back?
- The Broncos did not draft a running back.
- Latavius Murray signed with the Bills after the draft.
- Notable FAs still available: Zeke, Fournette, Kareem Hunt, Phillip Lindsay.
- I expect Javonte Williams to be sidelined early in the year, so they need a RB3 that can serve as the default RB2 behind Samaje Perine.
- Right now, Tony Jones (former Saints backup) might be the favorite for the RB3 job if the Broncos don’t sign a free agent.
Other free agents of note
- The Broncos did not draft a defensive lineman. Shelby Harris is still available.
- Denver did not draft an offensive tackle. Cam Fleming is available.
- George Paton said after the draft they are still in talks with Kareem Jackson.
What’s next?
- The NFL schedule is expected to be announced on May 11.
- The Broncos are signing a bunch of UDFAs and will invite a bunch of rookies and several vets to rookie minicamp next week.
- Denver will begin OTAs on May 23.
Ryan and I will return in two weeks to react to the team’s 2023 schedule release. If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!
You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.
