The Broncos entered the 2022 NFL draft with their lowest top pick (64th overall) since 1995 when they didn’t have a selection until the fourth round, picking offensive tackle Jamie Brown at No. 121.
It turned out OK though — they found a diamond in the rough in the sixth round that year in running back Terrell Davis. He had a pretty good career.
Denver originally had the No. 9 overall pick this year, but general manager George Paton packaged it in a trade to acquire star quarterback Russell Wilson.
Will edge rusher Nik Bonitto (who some fans have affectionately dubbed “Casa Bonitto”) or tight end Greg Dulcich be Denver’s next stars? Only time will tell. Until then, here’s a look at the Broncos’ picks:
Round 2 (No. 64 overall): Nik Bonitto, LB, Oklahoma
The ideal scenario for any defense is to have four pass-rushing threats and the Broncos, at least on paper, check that box. By drafting Bonitto, they are also looking ahead because Chubb and Reed are free agents after the season, Ryan O’Halloran writes. Read more…
Round 3 (No. 80): Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
Last year, Dulcich was first-team All-Pac 12 and his 17.3-yard per-catch average was third nationally among tight ends, O’Halloran writes. Read more…
Round 4 (No. 115): Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh
He gives Denver additional depth at corner, a position the Broncos have been razor-thin at over the past couple seasons, Kyle Newman writes. Read more…
Round 4 (No. 116): Eyioma Uwazurike, DT, Iowa State
He’s quick enough get to the quarterback but, at 300-plus pounds, can also clog up run lanes, Newman writes. Read more…
Round 5 (No. 152): Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, Oklahoma
He profiles as a backup alongside Caden Sterns and more competition for Jamar Johnson and P.J. Locke, Newman writes. Read more…
Round 5 (No. 162): Montrell Washington, WR, Samford
Kick/punt returner Diontae Spencer’s successor may have been found, Newman writes. Read more…
Round 5 (No. 171): Luke Wattenberg, C, Washington
He was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention and projects as backup interior line depth in 2022, with the ability to play center as well as either of the guard spots in case of injury, Newman writes. Read more…
Round 6 (No. 206): Matt Henningsen, DE, Wisconsin
A strong, heady player who adds to the Broncos’ defensive depth up front, Newman writes. Read more…
Round 7 (No. 232): Faion Hicks, CB, Wisconsin
There’s no questioning Hicks’ speed, as he stood out at Wisconsin’s pro day with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, Newman writes. Read more…
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
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Must-Read
Heavy-lifting done earlier in offseason, Broncos draft wasn’t glitzy … which is fine
This was never going to be a glitzy draft for the Broncos, never going to be a weekend when multiple Week 1 starters were added, never going to be seven rounds of franchise-altering decisions.And that was perfectly appropriate, fine and encouraging.
The Broncos’ major needle-moving transactions happened prior to the draft when they traded for quarterback Russell Wilson, signed pass rusher Randy Gregory, defensive lineman D.J. Jones and nickel back K’Waun Williams, and retained safety Kareem Jackson and running back Melvin Gordon. All of that heavy lifting equaled a worker bee-type draft, Ryan O’Halloran reports.
Broncos draft pick Nik Bonitto isn’t running from Von Miller comparisons. He’s embracing them.
Nik Bonitto is one of those quiet types with loud skills, an introvert by nature. But a pushover, he ain’t.
In 2020, the 6-foot-3, 248-pound pass-rushing specialist recorded eight sacks in 10 starts at Oklahoma en route to being selected as an Associated Press’ second-team All-American. Last fall,the Broncos’ second-round pick (No. 64 overall)racked up seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss over 12 starts.
And how’s this for irony? With one of the draft picks acquired in the trade that sent Von Miller to the Rams last fall, the Broncos may have found one of Miller’s successors off the edge, Sean Keeler reports.
RELATED
- Nik Bonitto is ninth linebacker picked by Broncos in last five NFL drafts. Here’s how the others fared.
Looking back at Russell Wilson’s draft year: “The whole league missed”
Ten years ago Thursday, Russell Wilson received the life-changing call informing him he was being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks … a team that signed a new starter a month earlier … after five other quarterbacks had already been selected … in the third round.
Wilson didn’t care that Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden (!) and Brock Osweiler were selected before him. He didn’t care the Seahawks already had Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson. And he didn’t care people had concerns about his height.
In turn, Wilson delivered amazing results for the Seahawks and compared to the rest of the quarterbacks drafted in 2012, Ryan O’Halloran reports.
Quick Hits
+ Broncos draft FCS star Montrell Washington to be team’s new return specialist in 2022.
+ Grading Broncos’ 2022 NFL draft: The Postap sports staff weigh in on George Paton’s weekend.
+ Melvin Gordon contract could give hint about new role in offense.
+ Inside the Broncos’ draft process: “How does the player fit and why is he good for us?”
+ AFC draft grades: Ravens, Jets earn top marks after adding several impact players.
+ NFC draft grades: Falcons, Lions help rebuilding efforts with top classes.
+ CSU Rams star Trey McBride picked by Arizona Cardinals in NFL draft.
+ Keeler: Kyler Murray, meet your new best pal. CSU star Trey McBride might be NFL draftap biggest sleeper. “I could run through a brick wall right now.”
+ Max Borghi, former Pomona and Washington State star, signs as undrafted free agent with Colts.
+ Legend and Wyoming product Chad Muma drafted in third round by Jaguars.
+ Pac-12 football: Winners and losers from the 2022 NFL draft.
+Want to chat about the Broncos?
Ask the Expert
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask Ryan O’Halloran.
By the Numbers
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How many players were selected in the NFL draft from the University of Colorado this year. It’s the first time the Buffs were shut out since 2016.
Parting Shot
Kiszla: Russ can cook. Russ can preach. But after draft that didn’t move needle for Broncos, can Russ beat the Kansas City Chiefs?
“After the first NFL draft of general manager George Paton with Wilson in the building, has anything in the pecking order of the AFC West changed?
“I say no. The Chiefs remain No. 1. What say you, Mr. Paton?” Read more from Kiz’s column…
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