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Grading Broncos’ entire 2022 draft class

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 23, 2021; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (58) looks to the sidelines against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (58) looks to the sidelines against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 31: Luke Wattenberg #76 of the Washington Huskies jogs off the field in the fourth quarter against the Eastern Washington Eagles during their game at Husky Stadium on August 31, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Now that we have had a few days to sit and completely take in all of the picks made by the Denver Broncos, it’s time for a report card. 

If you look around, there are countless draft grades out there by draft analysts and writers who cover the game. Some of these folks don’t really give any team lower than a grade of C while others are all over the board.

For this past weekend’s draft, the Broncos have been scored anywhere from an A to a D (because you almost won’t see an F). Here, I will evaluate each pick and hand out a consensus report card grade for the Broncos.

A lot of fans loved this draft and most of those are the ones who point to Russell Wilson as being the main name gained in this offseason, knowing that not as many key pieces would be found without a first or second-round pick (other than the last pick of the second round).

Other fans have been vocal about how the team may have reached on many of the picks made and failed to find guys who will make an immediate impact outside of special teams.

Whether any of that is true or not remains to be seen but let’s jump in and take a look. If you are interested in how I graded the team’s 2021 draft class, you can check that out here.

Broncos draft grades: Second round

Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos Draft – Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners heads off the field after a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2021, in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 40-35. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

. Oklahoma. 64. player. 815. . EDGE. NikBonitto

After patiently waiting through 63 picks, you’d have to think that the front office was satisfied with the selection of Nik Bonitto.

After wondering if the team would trade up to get a coveted player, George Paton instead decided to just let the board play itself out and he grabbed the player he felt was the best at that spot. Bonitto also brings another pass-rusher to the defense, a position Paton has made no secret that there is never enough to have around.

Bonitto is a guy who the team can slowly ease into the defense with Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory in front of him. He also provides a promising future replacement for either of those players if they don’t work out with the Broncos.

Bonitto had 19.5 career sacks with the Sooners and his quickness off the snap combined with his bend around the edge could be almost impossible to stop at times. If he can do that at the next level, the Broncos found a nice little gem here.

Grade: A-

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