Denver Broncos: Grades for entire 2020 rookie class

The Denver Broncos received a mixed bag from their 2020 rookie class.

The Broncos surprised many this past spring when they elected to take a wide receiver with each if their first two draft picks, but it became clear that the idea behind it was to give Drew Lock as much firepower as possible for the 2020 season.

Though those picks didn’t generate as much on-field success this past season as one would have liked to see, it was nice to see the Broncos address their biggest need going into the draft, which was easily the wide receiver position.

The Broncos did not play well at all in 2020, but many of the members of this year’s draft class could help shape the team’s future for years to come. As we look back on how each of these players performed this past season, we will hand out a letter grade for each.

If you missed our letter grades for each of the team’s positional units this past season, make sure to check it out.

Undrafted free agents

The Broncos had a few players contribute this past season as undrafted rookies. Historically, this team does a great job in finding players after the seven-round selection process.

LeVante Bellamy, RB: Undrafted out of Western Michigan, many fans thought that if any undrafted player made this year’s roster, it would be Bellamy. He suited up for five games but was mainly just an extra back while the team dealt with injuries to Phillip Lindsay.

He carried the ball four times for 11 yards and had one reception, so the stats don’t show much for his rookie season. That said, he could be a guy the team still has plans for down the road.

Grade: I (Incomplete)

Kendall Hinton, QB: Though technically a wide receiver, Hinton’s lone game this season came as a quarterback and it is a game Broncos fans will never forget for all the wrong reasons.

When the team lost all four of its quarterbacks due to not following protocol related to COVID-19, Hinton was called up from the practice squad and thrust into the starting role based on limited experience as a quarterback in college.

Predictably, it was disastrous. Hinton completed just one of nine passes and had two of his pases picked off by the New Orleans Saints. It wasn’t a successful performance, but it was one that still landed the wristbands that Hinton wore in the game in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Grade: I (Incomplete)

Essang Bassey, DB: Bassey was a guy who made the team’s 53-man roster and he played in 12 games before an injury cut his rookie season short. He still ended up playing significant snaps for the team and finished the year with 23 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery.

Bassey has all the makings to be a strong contributor on defense for years to  come.

Grade: C+