Predominantly Orange
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In-Depth Look at Denver Broncos Undrafted Free Agents

By Cameron Parker

BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 07: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field on October 7, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 07: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field on October 7, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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John Elway’s made successes as an executive with the Denver Broncos, but none more successful than finding the undrafted diamonds…

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 02: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes reacts after running in for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on December 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 02: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes reacts after running in for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on December 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

A 5-11 season shouldn’t cause us to be blind to the Denver Broncos history of finding talent in the undrafted free agent pool. In John Elway’s tenure, he’s landed key contributors in undrafted free agency that helped secure a Super Bowl and multiple playoff appearances.

It is a testament not just to Elway, but Matt Russell and the entire scouting department.

Players like C.J. Anderson and Chris Harris Jr. rank near the top of the list of the most successful undrafted free agents to make an impression in the NFL. Anderson amassed 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and played with incredible passion on the football field.

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Harris attributes plenty of his play to those who passed on him. It is the same thinking that’s kept both in the league this long. Although, success is not about just two players. It is a multitude of players.

Shaquil Barrett, Juwan Thompson, and Kyle Peko certainly put their names down as contributors or past contributors to place their stamp over the course of a season. However, it did not start with Elway.

The Denver Broncos over the course of the franchise’s history found players instrumental to Super Bowl teams. There’s not one Bronco more notable than Rod Smith.

Smith is the franchise leader in receiving yards and touchdowns. He was one of Elway’s favorite targets and a is now a model for current players with a goal of lasting in the NFL.

This particular class of players might be the deepest in recent years. After a successful NFL Draft by the entire Denver Broncos organization, it seems like a complete unit with the team constructed in the last few days.

We will look at a constructive look at all eight of the players signed by the team as undrafted free agents.

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