Rest of day three
- QB Nate Stanley, Iowa (fifth round)
- WR Jeff Thomas, Miami (seventh round)
Draft recap
- 1. AJ Epenesa, DE, Iowa
- 2. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
- 3a. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
- 3b. Calvin Throckmorton, OL, Oregon
- 3c. Antoine Winfield Jr., DB, Minnesota
- 4a. Hakeem Adeniji, OL, Kansas
- 4b. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
- 5. Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa
- 7. Jeff Thomas, WR, Miami (FL)
Although going to bed after day one of the draft not having picked an offensive player currently may not sit well with Broncos fans, Epenesa would be a tremendous fit in Vic Fangio’s defense where he could play multiple positions on the front and start from day one at right defensive end.
Epenesa’s presence at RDE combined with re-signing one of Derek Wolfe or Shelby Harris with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb off the edge? That’s a unit no team is going to want to face, especially with guys like Alexander Johnson and Todd Davis able to clean things up behind them.
The Broncos get a true WR2 in Justin Jefferson, who has performed more like a WR1 this year at LSU. He has the skills to complement Courtland Sutton well in Denver’s offense with speed, YAC ability, and toughness at the catch point.
The Broncos also get a possible RB1 with Najee Harris, who can do everything at the position. Phillip Lindsay can keep his 12-18 touches per game, but Harris would contend for top duties. Royce Freeman disappointed in year two. Do the Broncos believe he can bounce back?
Calvin Throckmorton and Hakeem Adeniji give the Broncos two guys who have played multiple positions on the offensive line. Throckmorton, in particular, started and excelled at four positions at Oregon, including center.
The Broncos should try to retain Connor McGovern at center, but Throckmorton could come in and start at right guard or one of the tackle positions depending on how Garett Bolles does next offseason and if Ja’Wuan James can stay healthy.
Adeniji would be someone the Broncos could utilize at either tackle or guard as well.
Overall, this draft class gives the Broncos a couple of day one starters and some guys who will immediately contend for playing time, as well as potential starters looking forward at aging players in starting roles or places the team could just simply want competition going forward.