Grading the Damarri Mathis pick by the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos used their first of two fourth-round selections on Pittsburgh cornerback Damarri Mathis. Mathis has starter upside as a rookie.
After trading down and out of the end of the third round at pick 96 overall, the Denver Broncos made their first selection of Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft at pick no. 115 overall where they selected Pittsburgh cornerback Damarri Mathis.
Mathis was a projected top 100 player by Dane Brugler of The Athletic and had really risen in the pre-draft process thanks to an unbelievable Scouting Combine.
Mathis posted a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash as well as a 43-inch vertical jump. His overall RAS score is about as high as you’ll find on Day 3 of the Draft.
Damarri Mathis was drafted with pick 115 of round 4 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.72 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 58 out of 2001 CB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/Lh0ggsWocT #RAS #Broncos pic.twitter.com/UfrQmDw3c1
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2022
Denver Broncos get a potential starter at CB in Damarri Mathis
Heading into Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, it was impossible to ignore the depth of the group of cornerbacks that was still sitting there on the board.
Mathis was as good of an option as any here in the 115th overall slot and he has production to back up those elite athletic traits.
In three seasons as a starter at Pittsburgh, he racked up 24 pass breakups, five interceptions, and 4.5 tackles for loss.
At the Senior Bowl, Mathis got a bit of an increased look at what he can do with those athletic traits in the nickel, and he excelled.
https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1506018521276428293
The Broncos went out in free agency and signed veteran K’Waun Williams to join Pat Surtain II and Ronald Darby in the starting lineup at the cornerback position, but don’t be surprised to see Mathis get a lot of playing time as a rookie.
He will undoubtedly contribute immediately on special teams and there’s a chance we could see him playing significant snaps in the slot or even on the outside depending on what happens health-wise with the starters.
After the draft, it will be fascinating to see if the Broncos go out and fortify their depth in the defensive backfield, perhaps bringing back veteran Bryce Callahan who is still sitting there in free agency.
For the time being, the top five of Surtain, Darby, Williams, Ojemudia, and now Mathis looks solid.
Pick Grade: B+