With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Denver Broncos, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the Denver Broncos rookies?
- Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Oklahoma | Round 2, Pick 63
- Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas | Round 3, Pick 67
- Riley Moss, CB, Iowa | Round 3, Pick 83
- JL Skinner, S, Boise State | Round 6, Pick 183
- Alex Forsyth, C, Oregon | Round 7, Pick 257
Denver Broncos Draft Class Grade:
The Broncos received a B+ rookie class draft grade from PFF, a B from ESPN, and a C from NFL Network.
Which Broncos Rookies Will Make An Impact?
Denver’s offseason was filled with Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy trade rumors, so the selection of Marvin Mims (second round) came as no surprise.
Mims is undersized and ran a limited route tree at Oklahoma, but he was among the most explosive playmakers in this class. Based on route-adjusted metrics, Mims generated 25.7% more yards after the catch over the last two seasons than expected.
As long as Sutton and Jeudy are still on the roster, Mims likely takes snaps away from KJ Hamler but could ascend to a large role if targets open up due to a trade.
Sean Payton announced after the draft that Drew Sanders (third round) would play inside linebacker in their scheme. Sanders lined up on the edge at Alabama before shifting to linebacker at Arkansas in 2022.
Josey Jewell is in the final year of his contract, so Sanders will presumably be groomed for that role in 2024.
Due to his experience on the edge, Sanders looks more comfortable playing downhill against the run and on blitzes and will need time to learn the coverage responsibilities required of him in Denver.
In 2022, Jewell blitzed on just 17% of his plays against the pass compared to 35% for Sanders at Arkansas. Denver did blitz at the fifth-highest rate last season. It just typically didn’t come from those lined up at inside linebacker.
Sanders was brilliant on the blitz (20.9% pressure rate), so hopefully the Broncos don’t let that skill set go to waste.
Riley Moss (third round) should compete for a starting job at outside cornerback with 2022 fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis.
Iowa used zone coverage at the 12th-highest rate in the nation last year while Denver used it at the third-highest rate in the NFL. This should be a smooth transition for Moss
JL Skinner (sixth round) could also compete for a starting job in the near future or could be groomed as a potential long-term replacement for Justin Simmons, who has two years remaining on his contract.
Skinner played a versatile role in the Boise State secondary, which is important in Denver’s scheme. The Broncos used two-high safety formations at the third-lowest rate (31%), so having someone like the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Skinner who can play in the deep secondary and the box is ideal.
In the short term, Skinner does have the potential to handle the free safety role, played by Kareem Jackson in 2022. When lined up at free safety last year, Skinner made a play on the ball on 5.2% of his coverage snaps, easily the highest rate in the Mountain West. The average was 1.8%.
Denver is likely hoping Alex Forsyth (seventh round) pushes Lloyd Cushenberry for the starting job at center. That’s a lot to ask of a seventh-round pick, but Forsyth spent four years playing under Mario Cristobal, one of the best offensive line coaches in the college game.
The Broncos believe Forsyth can also play guard, so he should make the roster in a reserve role even if he is unable to unseat Cushenberry.
Denver may have emerged with multiple starters from this draft class 一 an impressive feat considering its lack of draft capital. That said, it’s fair to question the strategy of continuing to part with draft picks.
The Broncos were already without their first- and second-round selections due to the acquisitions of Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton. General manager George Paton then traded up for Mims and Moss, parting with their 2024 third-round pick in the process.