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Denver Broncos: Grading the team’s biggest moves of 2019

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 29: Noah Fant #87 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 29: Noah Fant #87 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

2019 NFL Draft class

Individual Grades

  • Noah Fant, TE: B
  • Dalton Risner, LG: A
  • Drew Lock, QB: A
  • Dre’Mont Jones, DL: B
  • Justin Hollins, OLB: B-
  • Juwann Winfree, WR: C

Overall Grade: B+

Noah Fant, TE

Fant showed out as a playmaker at the tight end position in his first year, catching at least one pass in every game and racking up 562 yards on 40 receptions with three touchdowns.

He regularly made huge plays and had a number of 20-yard and 40-yard plays this past season, showing off his speed in the open field and abilities after the catch.

Fant also had plenty of rookie moments, both as a blocker and as a receiver. He was called for too many penalties on bad blocking technique and didn’t fully utilize his frame to ‘Moss’ defenders at the catch point. Ball tracking was an issue at times.

Fant needs to pull up George Kittle tape and apply it to his game in 2020. He will be a beast.

Dalton Risner, LG

In every possible way, Dalton Risner was as-advertised as a rookie in 2019.

We barely ever saw him make a mistake, he was pancaking dudes, did a great job getting out in space, and had one of the most memorable plays of the season basically throwing Phillip Lindsay into the end zone for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers.

This guy is a stud and will be for a long time.

Drew Lock, QB

The Broncos lucked out getting Lock in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He looks like the team’s franchise QB even though we’re only five games in.

Lock would not have been a surprise if the Broncos had taken him 10th overall in the draft, but they got him 42nd overall and picked up Noah Fant and Dalton Risner in addition to him.

You love to see it.

Dre’Mont Jones, DL

Capping off the Broncos’ day one/two picks is Dre’Mont Jones, who played really well down the stretch as a rookie, even earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors against the Detroit Lions. He showed his pass rushing skills throughout his rookie season but also had an interception and a blocked field goal.

Overall, this draft class looks really good for the Broncos and if Juwann Winfree can become a depth player, it will be a stellar all-around class.

Justin Hollins looks like solid depth off the edge and on special teams and all of these players have plenty of growth to do, but they also all showed great things as rookies.

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