Denver Broncos 3 biggest undrafted rookie steals in 2022

The Denver Broncos got themselves some big-time undrafted free agent steals in the 2022 rookie class. We take a look at the top three.

The Denver Broncos are no strangers to undrafted free agent steals throughout the franchise’s history.

Wide receiver Rod Smith is one of the all-time greats, but more recent names like Shaquil Barrett, Chris Harris Jr., Phillip Lindsay, and CJ Anderson have made significant contributions despite a lack of draft status.

It’s not about when (or if) you’re drafted — it’s all about what you do with an opportunity. The Denver Broncos have three players with great opportunities before them among their large UDFA class.

Which three players were the biggest steals from this year’s crop?

Denver Broncos 2022 UDFA steal no. 3: Kana’i Mauga, LB, USC

It’s been well documented at this point that the Denver Broncos’ biggest weakness defensively right now, on paper at least, is at the linebacker position.

Josey Jewell returns as one of the top starters after suffering a pectoral injury early last season.

Jonas Griffith emerged late last year and projects as the other starter next to Jewell.

Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are the team’s primary depth right now, so there’s an opportunity for a player like Mauga to step in and make an impact.

Last season for USC, Mauga was productive:

• 91 total tackles
• 5.5 tackles for loss
• 1 sack
• 1 INT
• 1 forced fumble
• 84.0 coverage grade from PFF

At almost 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, Mauga has long arms and an exceptionally aggressive mentality at the position.

He’s got the mentality and physical traits to take on blocks in the running game and the type of physicality that can be valuable right away on special teams.

I’m not sure how many linebackers the Broncos are going to keep on the final 53-man roster but Mauga has the potential to develop into something down the line.

Denver Broncos top 2022 UDFA steal no. 2: Jalen Virgil, WR/KR, Appalachian State

One of the undrafted free agents that seems to be getting talked about more than most of the others for the Denver Broncos these days is wide receiver/return specialist Jalen Virgil.

Virgil was one of Bruce Feldman’s “freaks” last year and for good reason.

His 40-yard dash time is not to be outdone by the rest of his ridiculous athletic metrics. This guy is truly a freak among freakish athletes.

The Denver Broncos should be having a pretty open competition for their kickoff and punt return jobs in the 2022 offseason.

Of course, Montrell Washington was drafted to fill those roles and he’s expected to be the guy this season.

However, we never know what kind of things could happen over the course of training camp and preseason play to cause a guy like Virgil to shoot up the depth chart.

This guy had three kickoff return touchdowns in college on just 38 returns.

He averaged a touchdown on one out of every 12 returns, roughly.

That kind of production is unreal when you consider how difficult it is even just to get a ball out of the end zone on a kickoff these days.

Virgil is built like a running back and with his blazing long speed, he could turn out to be one of the best players the Broncos got in this year’s UDFA class overall.

Denver Broncos top 2022 UDFA steal no. 1: Christopher Allen, EDGE, Alabama

Given how difficult it is for teams to find good pass rush help these days, it’s rather shocking that a player like Christopher Allen went undrafted.

Although injuries certainly can play a role in pushing a guy out of the NFL Draft, Allen has a lot going for him.

• Played at Alabama
• Led the SEC in TFL in 2020
• Elite athleticism
• Productive pass rusher

Allen, even recovering from injury, was still able to post impressive numbers during offseason workouts and certainly showed that he’s stayed in shape despite missing almost all of the 2021 season.

Looking at the Denver Broncos’ group of pass rushers right now, it’s difficult to see a clear path for Allen to the active roster, but then you consider something else: Money talks.

Allen got $180,000 guaranteed from the Denver Broncos, which is more than the following players:

• 6th-round pick Matt Henningsen
• 7th-round pick Faion Hicks
• Free agent LB Alex Singleton

It was only $20,000 less than players like DeShawn Williams and Andrew Beck received in guaranteed money to return to the Broncos this offseason.

If you look at the money in terms of what draft picks receive in guaranteed money, the Broncos valued Allen somewhere around a 5th-6th-round pick.

That’s not nothing.

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I think over the course of training camp and preseason, Allen has a real shot to prove his worth and push some prominent guys potentially off this active roster or prove to the Denver Broncos he’s worth keeping over other guys at different positions.