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Grading the Denver Broncos’ entire 2021 rookie class

By Travis Wakeman

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 28: Lnside linebacker Baron Browning #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a play during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on November 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 28: Lnside linebacker Baron Browning #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a play during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on November 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Marquiss Spencer, 2021 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos, Marquiss Spencer. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos had what was widely considered one of the best rookie draft classes in the 2021 season.

Incoming general manager George Paton made the most of his first draft with the team, one that started with the bang of trading for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

As the draft began, rumors began to fly that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wanted out and the Broncos were a potential destination. That thought teased Broncos fans throughout the draft, but Paton did not let it become a distraction, making each of his selections with a calculated approach.

Time will be the ultimate judge of how this draft actually went but at least for the first season, by and large, this rookie class was a home run for the Broncos. One that should bring positive returns for years to come.

Here, I will take a player-by-player look at each draft pick before handing out a letter grade for each. See how these grades compare with those from the 2020 draft, which was the last handled by former general manager John Elway.

Seventh-round picks

Denver Broncos, Jonathon Cooper
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Kary Vincent, CB, LSU

This was a pick that I loved when the Broncos made it last April, but the team never seemed to see much value in him once the pads were on. Vincent spent a brief time with the Broncos before he was shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft.

The Eagles will see what they can get out of the young defensive back going forward. As for Denver, the team got a solid return in the trade so that should receive a high grade, but the pick itself doesn’t. The coaching staff either didn’t know how to use him or didn’t see him as a good fit.

Grade: C

Jonathon Cooper, LB, Ohio State

This was a fantastic pick by the Broncos by any metrics you’d like to use. Cooper was taken with the 239th overall pick and was one of the biggest bright spots in Denver this season.

As a seventh-round pick, he played in 16 games for the team and registered 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He did that while playing on just 41.9 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

He appears to be a huge part of the team’s future and may have more long-term value than a guy like Malik Reed. This was a fantastic pick.

Grade: A

Marquiss Spencer, DE, Mississippi State

Marquiss Spencer had some moments in training camp this past summer where it appeared the Broncos had another draft steal who could be a quick contributor. Instead, he spent most of the season on the practice squad and the sidelines but the Broncos signed him to a futures contract following the season, showing they see something in him.

Grade: C

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