Following the final pick of the NFL Draft on Saturday — which just so happened to belong to Denver — beat writers at The Athletic highlighted their team’s favorite draft choice.
And for Nick Kosmider, that belonged to University of Washington running back Jonah Coleman:
“The Broncos brought back J.K. Dobbins this offseason. They believe second-year back RJ Harvey will continue to develop into a versatile, pass-catching weapon out of the backfield who also provides big-hit ability in the run game. But
Coleman, at 5-foot-9 and 220 pounds, is a self-described “thumper,” and that’s exactly what Denver needed to add to its backfield. Coleman scored 25 touchdowns across his past two seasons and 24 came in the red zone. He led the running backs in this draft class in percentage of yards gained after contact (71 percent). He’s a tough, physical runner and has the right tools to become the kind of pass protector who can be trusted on third down. It’s the right fit for a team that is sharpening around the margins in an attempt to make a title run in 2026.“
Mel Kiper Jr. wasn’t too high on Denver’s draft overall, giving the team a C+ in its selections and mediocre review on individual players:
“Denver dropped back to No. 66 to add an additional sixth-rounder and took Tyler Onyedim. I heard some buzz on him in the lead-up to the draft, but it was of the “Day 3 sleeper” variety. I ranked Onyedim at No. 109 on my board, but Payton likes to get his guys on Day 2, value be damned. Jonah Coleman is another option at running back, scoring 17 scrimmage touchdowns last season. Kage Casey can be a backup at offensive tackle, Justin Joly is a stretch option at tight end, and Mr. Irrelevant Red Murdock is a tackling machine. But there isn’t a ton to get super excited about here.“
What does Kiper know anyway?
My favorite picks for Denver were all the seventh-round guys — Miles Scott, Dallen Bentley and Red Murdock — and I was probably most excited about Murdock, aka “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Because I think he’ll be anything but irrelevant. And so does George Paton.
“Murdock, just man, he’s a tackling machine. Just really instinctive. Really good against the run,” the GM said. He may hold the record—you guys may know—for forced fumbles. “Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy [Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez], and he was amazing, but this guy—oh my gosh, if you look at his career and all the forced fumbles he had. Just a nose for the ball, relentless motor.”
For one thing, depth at linebacker is always necessary, especially when current starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad aren’t getting younger.
But for another, the kid holds the NCAA record for most forced fumbles (17) after all (breaking the previous record held by former University of Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack).
“Meticulous intent and being kind of being obsessed with it,” Murdock said of achieving that record. “Now I’m just ready to go do that on the field and help us get some wins.”
Murdock is also a big “team-first guy” as evidenced by his choice to stay at the University of Buffalo his entire collegiate career rather than enter the transfer portal.
Operating as the “quarterback of the defense,” Murdock saw his primary job as getting everyone on the same page so the defense could perform as one.
“That is what I’m looking forward to bringing to the Broncos,” Murdock said. “Being a player who is going to put the team success before all else in any instance.”
