With the Denver Broncos having all but one of their draft selections during the final day of the event, I went into this draft grades post expecting the worst. Prognosticators get very hyped by teams who end up with all of the top talent and ignore what those teams had to work with to begin with. Some did that, but surprisingly, many popped in to appreciate what Denver was able to do with the picks that they did have.
Naturally, one would have to include Jaylen Waddle into this equation at some point,
but even just looking at what the Broncos were able to do with this class is impressive enough. I see several rookie contributors right out of the gates and a few guys who could develop into starter-caliber players in the NFL. You really can’t ask for more than that having just one pick in the Top 100.
Here is the NFL Draft grade roundup:
USA Today: B+
Their draft was pretty much about – and will ultimately be defined – by the acquisition of WR Jaylen Waddle for multiple picks this year, including the 30th overall selection. A reasonable gamble given how close the Broncos got to Super Bowl 60 as well as the defensible opportunity cost of largely bypassing this year’s middling prospects. Third-round DL Tyler Onyedim could soften the loss of John Franklin-Myers in free agency, and fourth-round RB Jonah Coleman should get some touches. Yet maybe the most fascinating aspect of Denver’s draft … was their decision-making into who wound up as “Mr. Irrelevant” given the Broncos made the final two selections in Round 7.
NBC Sports: C
Denver kicked off their draft by taking the 129th ranked player on the industry board, Tyler Onyedim, at 66th overall. That being said, each of their next three selections were at least 20+ picks ahead of consensus, with Jonah Coleman being a RB that I really like and think he can challenge for the starting job in Denver eventually. TE Joly could carve out a prominent role behind Evan Engram, but there isn’t going to be a major impact from this class and feels like the Broncos were just trying to fill holes with mid-to-late picks here.
Pro Football Focus: C
Picks: 7 | WAA added: 1.145 (Rank 16/32)
Highest-graded pick (2025): LB Red Murdock, Buffalo Bulls (91.2)
Sports Illustrated: C
A large chunk of Denver’s draft was traded away in the Jaylen Waddle deal. As a result, the Broncos primarily added depth, giving RJ Harvey a caddy in Coleman, while getting Casey to play as a swing tackle behind Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey. As for Onyedim, the former Aggies star should see rotational time after the departure of John Franklin-Myers. All told, it’s a draft that doesn’t have much wow factor, but provides short-term insurance and long-term upside.
The Score: B
For a team that didn’t have a first-round pick and then traded out of its spot at the end of the second, I actually think the Broncos did quite well. Tyler Onyedim was one of my favorite mid-round targets among interior defensive linemen. His explosiveness, lateral quickness, and pass-rush arsenal could make him a great replacement for John Franklin-Myers on the inside. Jonah Coleman, my No. 4 overall running back, maximizes blocking with great vision and has the contact balance to find extra yards. He could immediately be the short-yardage back in Denver’s backfield committee. Kage Casey should be useful depth at tackle, and I love the value of Justin Joly in the fifth round. As a good separator who can win contested scenarios and make plays after the catch, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he becomes the “joker” Sean Payton hoped he was getting in Evan Engram last year. The lack of top-end talent impacts the grade, but the Broncos did well to find value throughout the draft.
CBS Sports: B
Early in Round 3, the Broncos became the final team to make its first selection. They did not have a first-rounder entering the draft and moved out of Round 2 in a Friday trade. With the No. 66 pick, they refueled their already stout defense with lineman Tyler Onyedim, who will not fully replace Jonathan Franklin-Myers but adds a fresh body to that group.
All but one of Denver’s picks are Day 3 selections, and the first is a fun one. Jonah Coleman brings a lot of the same skills as R.J. Harvey, whom the Broncos selected a year ago, as a versatile running back with experience making electric plays as a receiver. Kage Casey and Justin Joly bring some edge protection with the latter also boasting the ability to stretch the field as a receiving tight end.
The final two picks of the draft belonged to the Broncos, and they used the last of them on Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock, who is this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. He might not be so irrelevant, though. Edwards called him a “spark plug” and said he offers good value to end the draft, and it’s hard to disagree when you consider he is the FBS career record holder for forced fumbles with 17.
How do you feel about this draft class and the grades given? Fair or meh?
