Who are the Denver Broncos draft picks for the class of 2024 ? The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone. Teams are reviewing their picks and trying to slot everyone in accordingly.
Training camp will tell us more about those picks, how they fit, and who may stand apart from the rest of the pack. How will the Broncos fit the new recruits in their pursuit for success in the AFC West?
Get To Know Denver Broncos Draft Picks
For the Denver Broncos, this draft was especially important. Moving on from the Russell Wilson era, things had to go well.
Let’s take a look at the seven picks the Broncos made in this draft, and how they could potentially play a role in 2024 and beyond. Can the Broncos get back to the success they are missing since 2015, when they went all the way to the Super Bowl?
Introducing … the 2024 #BroncosDraft class! pic.twitter.com/UKLbSKGfa6
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 28, 2024
1st Round (12th overall): Bo Nix, QB Oregon
Nix is well-traveled, having initially begun his college career with Auburn in 2019. He dealt with injury issues for a bit, eventually transferring to Oregon ahead of the 2022 season. That wound up being the turning point for him.
In two years with the Ducks, he became one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football. He had an incredible 45 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his final year at Oregon, which no doubt helped put him into this position.
Despite being a bit older than the top-end quarterbacks in the draft, Nix is a bit raw but talented. He is very athletic, flexible, and has deceptive explosiveness. He can get out of pressure and extend plays, which is a must in today’s NFL.
As a thrower, he has the tools but hasn’t put it all together. Working with head coach Sean Payton could be the key to unlocking his potential. Even still, it feels like a bit of a reach, but the Broncos had a major need at the position, and this was the best option left.
Denver Broncos first-round selection in the NFL football draft quarterback Bo Nix looks over a jersey after a news conference Friday, April 26, 2024, at the team’s headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
3rd Round (76th overall): Jonah Elliss, OLB Utah
Everyone is looking to find a pass rusher in the middle of the draft, and the Broncos may have found that. The 6’2” outside linebacker out of Utah has good acceleration off the line, allowing him to get the jump on defenders who aren’t in the upper echelon physically.
Elliss has shown a few different pass rush moves, especially a hand swipe and rip move, that goes well with his inside spin move. Developing that skill set will make him better on the next level and help to negate any size issues.
The expectation is that Elliss can contribute as a rotational pass-rusher immediately. He has the tools to be a solid player against the run, but that will take work. He may be best suited to play as an outside linebacker in odd fronts, at least to start.
Pick No. 76.
Welcome to #BroncosCountry, Jonah Elliss! pic.twitter.com/wepqli61H5
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 27, 2024
4th Round (102nd overall): Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
Depending on where you looked, Franklin carried a borderline first/second-round grade. He is one of the fastest players in the draft, running a 4.41 40-yard dash time. That speed translates into being above average when he has the ball and looks to extend the play.
If there is one area he could greatly improve, it is in battling for contested balls. Sometimes, he looks like every ball will be his. Others, he looks as inconsistent as can be. His blocking could use work as well but that is largely due to a lack of bulk.
Franklin is enticing because of his speed and wiggle. He’s a solid route runner and puts a lot of work and attention to detail into his development. If the Broncos try to push the ball vertically, Franklin could become a solid number two option with some time.
Stacking stats.#BroncosDraft x @TroooyyyyyyTroy pic.twitter.com/13vlqjAWBw
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 29, 2024
5th Round (145th overall): Kris Abrams-Draine, CB Missouri
Abrams-Draine is rare for a corner in that he is willing to get in there and make a tough tackle, getting into the legs of ball-carriers. He does a good job when chasing out of position, timing his close well to get in on contested balls.
That said, he is small for the position (6’0” 179) and can get bumped off, especially at the top of routes. Because of his size and strength issues, he tends to get dragged even when wrapping up on tackles. He will give up extra yards, especially when facing larger backs.
Abrams-Draine has the kind of skillset to be successful in the NFL, but he needs to work hard on his size and strength. Because of his high upside, he will get plenty of opportunities in his first few years. Scheme fit will be key, especially as a rookie.
The Broncos draft CB Kris Abrams-Draine at 145
His agility is off the charts and ran a 4.44 in the 40. PFF gave him a 99 grade at outside CB coverage and an 88 grade in coverage vs single coverage
Seems like Denver got great value here as Field Yates loves the pick for us pic.twitter.com/HAUsig85QQ
— Jordan Lopez (@JordanTLopez) April 27, 2024
5th Round (147th overall): Audric Estime, RB Notre Dame
Esteme has good vision and footwork, allowing him to see creases in his blocking effectively. He also has good power for his size, bouncing off of defenders and falling forward for the extra yard or two. He’s also versatile out of the backfield as a pass-catching option.
Esteme is also lacking when it comes to his burst through the line of scrimmage. His stop/start ability needs a lot of work, particularly when he first gets the ball. He has potential home run speed, but it takes him a minute to get rolling, making it tough to hit the next level.
The appeal is obvious with Esteme. On the upside, he could be the top back in Denver, looking something like a faster Gus Edwards. The Broncos would benefit by running gap a lot so that he can get going downhill. Still, his versatility is strong and he could be a steal for the Broncos.
The Broncos new RB Audric Estime is a beast and he’s only 20 years old pic.twitter.com/OcJEnJQaQ8
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) April 28, 2024
7th Round (235th overall): Devaughn Vele, WR Utah
Vele is one of those interesting late-round prospects that teams hope to hit a home run on. He is big (6’4”) and has a great catch radius. What’s most enticing is his straight-line speed, allowing him to get over top of the defense in no time.
His route-running really needs work, however. His lack of suddenness also makes it tough for him to gain separation, especially on short and intermediate routes. His production at Utah wasn’t great but that’s partially because they were run-first, so it’s hard to really know what you’re getting.
Vele isn’t going to be a dominant receiver in any sense. That said, he has the size, speed, and hands to become an asset down the line. He might be role-specific, especially to start, and will likely play a lot of special teams as a rookie.
The moment @devaughn_vele’s name was called. #BroncosDraft pic.twitter.com/XbcE8ZshrE
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 27, 2024
7th Round (256th overall): Nick Gargiulo, C South Carolina
Some guys have tangible abilities. Others have what are called “intangibles” and Gargiulo falls into that category. He is a renowned leader from his time at South Carolina and shows the kind of intelligence that few others at the position offer.
Despite good size (6’5” 318), he tends to be a bit stiff and lean, struggling with bull rushers. He needs to work on his ability to displace defenders and move to the next level. He’s good in the run and shows good discipline in the pass, but struggles when it comes to rooting his feet.
He’s very raw, however. He has the smarts, length, movement, and leadership skills that make him very interesting. He has good positional versatility as well, which should make him a rotational player at least to start. If he can develop those skills, he could emerge as a starter by year three.
As tough and as smart as they come! The @Broncos made an awesome choice!
Go be great, Nick! pic.twitter.com/C658SRxCPD
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) April 27, 2024
The Grades are in
Let’s just get one thing out of the way first: draft grades should be taken with a large grain of salt. They are completely arbitrary, and we won’t know how these draft classes turn out for at least three years. But draft grades are popular because we have to talk about something.
That said, the Broncos had one of the most polarizing drafts out there. Some feel fine about the Nix pick; others panned it loudly. On a universal basis, critics like the picks of Esteme, Franklin, and Elliss. After last season, it was clear that pieces were needed offensively and the Broncos may have found solutions at running back, receiver, and for their offensive line rotation.
Click here to check the Denver Broncos odds for next season.
Expectations for 2024
The expectation for the 2024 draft class depends largely on Nix. He should start Day One unless he struggles to grasp the offense. He will have to endure growing pains, though it would help if Franklin and Esteme could emerge as legitimate options sooner rather than later.
That said, the test will come in 2024, but 2025. With a year under its collective belt, this class could make a bigger impact in 2025. That is especially true if Elliss can become more than a rotational pass-rusher and if Garigulo can move into a starting spot at either guard or center. For now, it’s about properly developing these players as rookies.
Conclusion
On the whole, the Broncos added a lot of intrigue. Esteme, Elliss, and Franklin could be starters out of the gate while a few others provide depth. Nix will be the most scrutinized part of the class, especially if he starts from Day One. Payton is putting his future with the Broncos on the arm of the Oregon standout.
