What are the Denver Broncos going to do in the 2023 NFL Draft? This draft has been dubbed as unpredictable as ever, so trying to predict what the Denver Broncos are going to do -- or even want to do -- is borderline impossible. But that's what we try to do here at Predominantly Orange -- predict the impossible.
How do you even begin to predict what a team is going to do when they don't have any selections until number 67 overall? I think it starts with reading the tea leaves from the rest of the offseason, obviously looking at the roster, and considering the future, at least in part.
What do the Denver Broncos have in 2024, both in terms of projected free agents as well as 2024 NFL Draft capital? Well, starting with the 2024 free agents, the biggest names currently on that list include:
- WR Jerry Jeudy
- LB Josey Jewell
- WR KJ Hamler
- CB K'Waun Williams
- C Lloyd Cushenberry
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam
As far as 2024 NFL Draft capital, the Broncos have no second-round pick, but they have two picks in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds. They have plenty of future draft capital to trade up in 2023 if they so choose, and as you can see, they don't really have many free agents creating pressing needs going forward, especially with Jerry Jeudy having a fifth-year team option.
With all of that information, what can we predict about the Denver Broncos' 2023 NFL Draft?
Denver Broncos: 5 predictions for the 2023 NFL Draft
1. Broncos will trade up
The NFL Draft philosophy of general manager George Paton is typically to accumulate as many picks (darts) as possible. If you've got more darts to throw at the board, you've got a better shot at hitting a bullseye. The NFL Draft is not an exact science, no matter how good your analytics or pre-draft studying is.
You might find yourself with an "A+" grade from the analysts when the draft is all said and done, but you might have the worst draft in the league three or four years down the line. While Paton has made 19 picks in two years on the job in Denver, Sean Payton averaged about five selections per class in his time in New Orleans.
Whether it's from 67, 68, or 108, I think we'll see the Denver Broncos trade up for someone.
2. Broncos will trade down
Ultimately, I think we're going to see everyone get their wish. I think at some point, the Broncos will use assets to trade up, but don't be shocked to see them trade down off of the 67th or 68th slot to try and pick up additional capital. They might be able to turn one of those picks into two or even three picks, depending on how far they want to move down and how many players they're targeting.
The reality for the Denver Broncos is this: With five selections to work with, projecting a quality draft class is like trying to figure out an impossible Sudoku puzzle. It just doesn't fit. This team needs depth at a variety of positions and unless they just love the value of certain guys with those top two picks, I think we're going to see them trade up from one and down from the other.
3. The team will go after a tight end relatively high
One of the best position groups in the entire 2023 NFL Draft is the tight end group. There could be two or three selected in the first round, and I think after that, it's a free-for-all at the position. The Broncos did draft Greg Dulcich in round three last year, and they obviously still like him, but Sean Payton's offense is going to necessitate a true three-down threat at the position.
Greg Dulcich is going to make his most significant contributions to the team as a receiver while there's no guarantee that Albert Okwuegbunam will even make this team. Chris Manhertz is a blocking specialist who offers just about nothing as a receiver, so the Broncos may feel like they can get a guy in this draft at tight end a round later than they should because of the depth at that position group.
Given the emphasis on running the ball, I wouldn't be shocked if tight end was the team's top pick overall.
4. No wide receivers will be traded
After filling up the months of March and April with speculation, I don't think we're going to see any Denver Broncos wide receivers traded. Specifically, we're talking about Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Now, this is based a lot on what has been stated publicly by both Sean Payton and George Paton, of course, but it's also based on local and national reporters.
Nobody seems to think that a receiver trade is happening for Denver at this point. It feels like the ship has sailed. The Broncos do have a firm asking price of a 1st-round pick on Jerry Jeudy and a 2nd-round pick on Courtland Sutton. A possibility exists that they will end up receiving that from someone, but it just doesn't feel like it's going to go down at this point.
I don't think we'll be in the clear on this until the first two rounds of the draft are over, but as of right now, I don't see a wide receiver trade happening.
5. Broncos will come away with 3 guys who can factor in as possible starters
This might be my "boldest" prediction of all. I think the Broncos, armed with only five selections right now, will ultimately come away with three selections who will be able to contribute in the starting lineup as soon as 2023.
That's a lofty and optimistic idea, but I think the team has set itself up to land some significant contributors with this particular class. What position groups would have the best groups of "starting" or playing substantial snaps in 2023?
- Tight End
- Cornerback
- Offensive line
- Running back
I think if the Broncos use three of their five picks on any combination of those position groups, we could realistically see a trio of rookies playing starter snaps for the team in 2023, even if they are not a starter in title.
We've already talked about the team prioritizing tight end relatively early, but what about the other positions.
At cornerback, the starter opposite Pat Surtain II is 2022 fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis. Is that an issue? No, not based on what we saw from Mathis as a rookie in 2022. But the depth behind him is non-existent. A corner drafted with one of the team's top three picks would have a real shot to play a lot this coming season.
On the offensive line, the Broncos have a question mark at their starting center spot with former third-round pick Lloyd Cushenberry III. There are a few people who feel like a variety of interior linemen in this class could come in and start immediately over Cushenberry.
The same could potentially be said if the team goes after a swing tackle with one of those top three picks. What happens if Garett Bolles goes down with an injury again? Who is this team's primary backup guard? If the Broncos could land an offensive lineman with multi-position versatility, that guy could end up playing quite a bit in 2023.
And the running back position might be one of the clearest paths to immediate playing time on this roster currently. Sean Payton wants to establish the run, but do the Broncos have the horses in the stable? Samaje Perine was added in free agency, but Javonte Williams is still recovering from a serious knee injury.
Whoever the Broncos draft at RB, and I think they will absolutely draft one, should be a factor for the team in 2023.