Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season.
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Pre-draft I was hoping for two, maybe three big contributors coming from draft picks. Now I see six. , of course, and both receivers (/) and . I also count Su’a Cravens and Jared Veldheer as both were acquired with draft picks. I may go out on a limb and count , I know he’s a UFA, and Josey Jewell as well. And significant contributor is defined as playing a position and not just special teams. Sure some of those may be reaches and Cravens hasn’t seen the field yet, but that is what I predict. What are your thoughts about this class? needed a 2017 Saints like draft and I think he landed it.
— Joe, Sacramento, Calif.
You reviewed it pretty well — a lot of rookies will see a lot of playing time this year and will be expected to make a lot of plays. Ranking the draft picks/undrafted free agents you mentioned in terms of impact: 1. Freeman; 2. Chubb; 3. Sutton; 4. Lindsay; 5. Hamilton; 6. Jewell. The Broncos definitely needed a good draft just to fill up the depth chart cupboard since they didn’t do much in veteran free agency.
The Broncos seem to hang on to guys they draft a little too long when the productivity isn’t there. is average in every respect and still can’t hang onto the football. Do you see the Broncos moving on from some bad draft choices any time soon?
— Peter, Thornton
The big “bad” draft choice they could move on from is 2016 first-round quarterback . Itap time to cut that cord and say, “Hey, it didn’t work out.” As for Booker, they feel he still has a role in the backfield even with the arrivals of Freeman and Lindsay. I floated before camp the possibility of dealing Booker if he fell down the depth chart, but he remains the 1B option and the Broncos probably want somebody with NFL experience in that meeting room.
Are the Broncos kneeling this year during the national anthem?
— Bill, Tooele, Utah
For all three preseason games, linebacker and receiver have retreated under the stadium stands during the anthem. No player on the sidelines has taken a knee. I don’t expect any player to do that in Week 1, either.
Denver picked up Adam Jones and Alexander Johnson and I want to know why. Can this team handle the weights of their off-the-field problems going into the season? I don’t like these moves.
— James, Grand Junction
Judging by my email inbox, you’re not alone in being disappointed with the signings of Johnson and Jones. The Johnson signing, a short time after he was acquitted on a rape charge, didn’t generate much negative buzz locally because he was an unknown. But Jones’ signing riled up some fans. His off-the-field dossier is as long as a football fielded and at 35, who knows how much he has left in the playing tank.
I know you’re asked this every week, but is Paxton Lynch going to be on the team at the start of the season? The kid has not looked good at all this year (or last year, for that matter). It’s time to cut our losses and move forward in a new direction.
— Connor T., Colorado Springs
I do get that question every week and every week, it is a legitimate question. Lynch has struggled throughout the preseason but his 1-2 defenders have pointed out that he is playing with backups and third-team players. To which I say, so what? I think itap time to part ways.
Who’s going to be our punt and kick returners this year? Please don’t say Isaiah McKenzie…
— Mike, Denver
Well, I’m going to say it, Mike … all signs indicate McKenzie will be the punt returner. He had the touchdown against Minnesota earlier this month and has been the first-time-up punt returner in all three games. I would give Phillip Lindsay some reps back there against Arizona, though. On kickoffs, Lindsay has been the first guy up so that would be my prediction there.
Everyone’s been raving about Phillip Lindsay, but which other players have you been impressed by? Personally, Josey Jewell’s play has my attention.
— Tim, Lakewood
Jewell has a team-best 13 tackles in the preseason and one sub-plot to watch early in the year is if the Broncos try and get him on the field in certain packages. A few other guys who are a little off the radar: Safety Dymonte Thomas has 10 tackles and played well as the sub-package sixth defensive back against the Redskins. Defensive linemen Zach Kerr and Shelby Harris have been active in the run game and also as pass rushers.
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