Denver Broncos had draftable grades on all eight UDFAs
Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said the team was very excited to add eight players they felt had ‘draftable grades’ as UDFAs…
The Denver Broncos have had great success finding talent after the NFL Draft in undrafted free agency, and they feel like they scored some of the best talent in that pool again this year.
At the team’s recent rookie minicamp, head coach Vance Joseph was asked about signing outside linebacker Jeff Holland, and he used that as an opportunity to compliment the entire undrafted crop:
"“We had a draftable grade on him as an outside linebacker. It was really cool to get him signed. Every free agent we signed had a draftable grade on our board. All eight guys had draftable grades. That’s always cool, and that’s the eighth round of the draft. We’ve had great success here at Denver, with guys like [CB] Chris Harris Jr. and last year with [CB Marcus] Rios, [S Dymonte] Thomas and [S] Jamal Carter. We’ve had great success with eight-round drafts. Hopefully it happens again.”Vance Joseph (quotes via Broncos PR)"
It’s very ‘cool’ indeed.
Assuming Joseph isn’t lying, the Broncos got 18 prospects that had draftable grades. Cameron Parker did an in-depth look at all eight undrafted player signings a couple of weeks ago.
Immediately after the draft, it was apparent the Broncos had gotten a steal in the aforementioned Auburn pass rush specialist and edge defender Jeff Holland.
I was also very impressed by TCU wide receiver John Diarse, whose physical style of play really reminded me of Anquan Boldin.
East Carolina wide receiver Jimmy Williams was another interesting playmaker the team added.
Perhaps no player has generated more post-draft hype in the undrafted free agent pool for the Broncos than Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay. Lindsay’s versatility as a runner, receiver, and returner could give him an edge in making the 53-man roster.
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We haven’t done in-depth reviews on every player yet, but the Broncos’ eight-man UDFA list looks like this:
RB Phillip Lindsay
WR Jimmy Williams
WR John Diarse
OT Leon Johnson
OG/C Austin Schlottmann
DL Lowell Lotulelei
EDGE Jeff Holland
DB Trey Williams
The Broncos’ high opinions of these players are reflected in the lofty signing bonuses some of them were given.
Lowell Lotulelei, for one, was given a $15,000 bonus by the Broncos, a very high figure for the team to give out.
The Broncos also gave $15,000 bonuses to Phillip Lindsay and Jeff Holland.
Since John Elway took over the team, a player that was given a bonus of $10,000 or more at the time of signing was typically a lock to make the final roster. Some players have received low signing bonuses (Chris Harris Jr at $2,000) and still make the team.
Since money talks, I tend to believe Joseph when he says they highly value this UDFA class.