Zane Beadles (68) enters the field before the first quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field. (Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)

The draft is something that every NFL player remembers, whether they were drafted or not. As many have found, turning pro isn’t a right. It’s a privilege.

I caught up with Denver Broncos guard Zane Beadles, quarterback Brock Osweiler, and former long snapper Lonnie Paxton on draft night for one-on-one interviews to discuss what their draft experiences were like (I interviewed Beadles and Paxton at a bowling/draft watching party for their respective charities, The Zane Beadles Foundation and Active Force Foundation).

Beadles was taken in the second round (13th pick) of the 2010 draft out of Utah. He was watching the draft with family and friends before Josh McDaniels called him.

“I had a group of people, family and friends, watch the first ten picks of the second round,” Beadles said. “I was driving myself crazy, and decided to go get some food like any offensive lineman would, and got the call three picks later. It was a great experience. I was literally shaking on the phone as I got the call. It was definitely nerve racking.”

Osweiler was also taken in the second round. The Broncos selected him out of Arizona State as the 25th pick in the second round. Osweiler said that on Thursday night, he wasn’t too nervous because he wasn’t really expected to go in the first round. When day two rolled around, Osweiler was ready to put an NFL cap on.

“Friday, I woke up and had breakfast with all my best friends,” Osweiler said. “I came back and just kind of spent the day with my family at our house. As the pick got closer and closer to Denver, I started to get a little bit more nervous because I really wanted to end up in Denver. I didn’t want them to pass on me. Sure enough, I was holding my cell phone in my hand. It started vibrating. I looked down and it was a 303 number. The rest is history.”

Lonie Paxton (66) warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Denver defeated Oakland 38-24. (Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports)

Beadles and Osweiler were drafted early, but the most successful of the three men that I talked to Thursday night went undrafted. Paxton played nine seasons for the New England Patriots and won three Super Bowl rings with them. He famously snapped the ball to Adam Vinatieri for the game winning 48-yard field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI. Then Paxton went on to play three seasons for the Broncos.

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Aaron Brewer warms up before the start of training camp drills at Sports Authority Field. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Out with the old and in with the new was the Denver Broncos thinking Monday when they cut longtime long snapper Lonie Paxton. All NFL teams had to cut their roster down to 75 men, but there weren’t many teams that cut a three-time Super Bowl winning NFL staple.

Paxton was entering his 13th season in the NFL, and played in all 16 games in the three seasons that he was with the Broncos. Prior to becoming a Bronco, Paxton played for the New England Patriots for nine seasons. He’s only missed three games in his 12-year career.

I would like to thank the Denver Broncos fans, organization and media for their support for me, my family and for the Active Force Foundation. My support for the Denver and Colorado community will never change even if my uniform does. Our Wounded Warriors will continue to be a priority for AFF in Colorado along with the Colorado Adaptive Sport Foundation & community. -Lonie Paxton’s statement (The Denver Post) 

By cutting Paxton, the Broncos did make $1.29 million in cap room. However, John Fox described the situation as wanting better coverage and more athleticism on special teams rather than it being a financial decision.

With that said, the Broncos think undrafted rookie Aaron Brewer is their guy to replace Paxton. Brewer hails from San Diego State where he had 15 tackles on special teams in 50 games. (Paxton had five tackles in 49 games for the Broncos). Brewer split time with Paxton in preseason. Brewer recorded 18 snaps in preseason games with 12 of them coming on punts and 6 coming on field goals or extra points.

The NFL has used 12 rookie long snappers in the last five years, but I’m sure some team will be eager to sign Paxton.

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Lonie Paxton during play against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. (Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE)

The mandatory first roster cut was looming for the Denver Broncos. There were so many great stories on this year’s squad that it’s hard to see hardworking players go.

The Broncos had to trim their roster to 75 players Monday by 2:00 PM MST, and John Fox, John Elway, and the rest of the Broncos coaching staff made the decision. The following are no longer with the Broncos:

Lonie Paxton (long snapper)

Elliot Coffey (linebacker)

Mark Dell (wide receiver)

Cameron Kenney (wide receiver)

Anthony Miller (tight end)

Cyril Obiozor (defensive end)

Xavier Omon (running back)

Anthony Perkins (safety)

Mike Remmers (tackle)

Ramzee Robinson (cornerback)

Austin Sylvester (fullback)

Austin Wuebbels (guard)

The surprise here is Lonie Paxton. Paxton has been in the league for 13 years, and he’s played in every game with the Broncos for the three seasons he’s been with the team. The Broncos made this cut to save $700,000. The team will rely on rookie Aaron Brewer as long snapper.

For me, the heartbreaker is the team cutting running back Xavier Omon. Omon showed a lot of promise in week one when he led the Broncos in rushing with 7 carries for 36 yards and 1 touchdown. His practice squad eligibility has expired.

The Broncos must trim their roster from 75 to 53 by 7:00 PM Friday.

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