Denver Broncos' 2022 rookie report card

The Denver Broncos did not have a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after trading for Russell Wilson to be the team's new quarterback.

The Broncos still came out of the draft with nine overall picks and as you will see by the report card to follow, those players turned in varying results. Looking at this exercise last year, the Broncos turned in a report card with mixed grades for their 2021 rookie class.

The team will face the same sort of odds in the upcoming draft as, at least as of this writing, they will not be making a selection until the third round of the selection process in April.

Broncos fans will be antsy as they watch the draft unfold as over 60 players will be chosen before Denver goes on the clock. But it's often the later rounds where a team will find the most value.

Here is a look back at each player chosen in this past draft and how their first season in the NFL went along with a corresponding letter grade.

Grading the Broncos' 2022 rookie class: Undrafted free agents

The Broncos have long been known for doing a great job finding players through the undrafted process. This season, there were no immediate impact players in that wave, but the Broncos did find some guys who could stick around for years to come.

The team had a large group of wide receivers on the 90-man roster entering training camp and it soon became clear that at least one of the undrafted wide receivers on the roster had a good chance of making the team.

Brandon Johnson, undrafted out of Central Florida, seemed to be that guy through the preseason. But an ankle injury in the preseason finale initially cost him that spot. Instead, the Broncos went with Jalen Virgil, who came out of Appalachian State. He made the 53-man roster.

Johnson ended up healing the ankle and he appeared in seven games for the team, catching six passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. Virgil only caught two passes but one went for 66 yards which tied for the team's second-longest play of the season.

I am of the belief that at least one of these guys can become a long-term option for the team. The most prolific receiver in team history, Rod Smith, was undrafted.

Finally, defensive back Ja'Quan McMillian was given the chance to suit up for the team's season finale and he made seven tackles in that game. He has a chance to become a decent producer on the back end of the roster for this team as well.

Undrafted rookie grade: C+