Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - BEST IN NFL: Why Denver Broncos Have NFL's BEST Player Development System

Starting point is 00:00:00 When it comes to player development, the Denver Broncos might have the best system in the entire NFL. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. What's up Broncos country? Cody Roak here for a bonus episode of Locked on Broncos as we go through and talk about why Denver's player development system might be the best in the entire NFL right now. And I think if you look at their rookie class in a handful of second year, players, there's so much potential for guys like Tori in York, Red Murdoch, Frank Crum going into year two and so many other examples. But we're going to kick things off by talking about how this

Starting point is 00:00:44 system for Denver, since George Payton has taken over as GM, and now since Sean Peyton and him have come together to align how so many players have thrived. And the Broncos currently have a roster that is strong suited that showcases why player development is necessary in today's NFL. We'll also tell you why it is working here for Denver. And all has to do. with the organization, who they have, and continuity being a major theme here. Let's talk about it here, Broncos country, because so much of what Sean Payton and George Peyton have said since they have become this power dynamic, and I would say arguably, when you look at the last handful of years of these guys being paired up together,

Starting point is 00:01:22 free agency signings, draft signings, Denver being on the right path on the up and up ever since Sean Payton came over, they are becoming that sleeping giant that George Payton said that he envisioned this team being when he initially took the GM. job in 2021. And I think when you look at his first draft class, obviously Pat Sertan headlining that as the key star players there. But you look at a handful of other players, Quinn Miners taken in round three, Baron Browning was taken in round three.

Starting point is 00:01:49 Jonathan Cooper taken in round seven, obviously in that year's NFL draft class. But you look at how these players had developed. Barron is no longer on the Broncos. He's with the Arizona Cardinals where he just got a contract extension. Sertan, superstar player. We know that. Quinn Miners, I don't think when he was drafted, everybody thought he was going to be a superstar.

Starting point is 00:02:07 He emerged very quickly. He developed and he got thrown into the fire as a rookie. He's a great example of Denver's player development working. Now, Quinn has overcome some things in the Broncos in the first early parts of George Peyton's tenure had to overcome quite a bit going into 2021, 2021, 22, two different coaching staffs at that point. And then going into 2023, a third coaching staff for a handful of these players. But you look at where Quinn is at now and where he just got a contract.

Starting point is 00:02:34 extension, Quinn aligning with Sean Payton, Zach Streif, now the Broncos have this identity about them, right? Quinn is a player who has developed year over year into an all pro guard at the NFL level, which has been impeccable. It's been fun to see how he's grown. You look at other guys, Jonathan Cooper as well, we'll highlight him, but maybe the biggest name that not a lot of people are talking about when it comes to Denver's player development, Nick Benito. And I know some folks can be like, what are you talking about, Cody? He's a superstar pass rusher.

Starting point is 00:03:05 I agree. I think that he is 110%. But here is where the reality is. In Nick's first season as a rookie, he didn't play too much, right? Going into year number two, he wasn't necessarily a starter. I think there's one stat out there that will be very surprising to folks in Broncos country that Nick Benito in his first two seasons in the NFL played 30 games in two seasons, only started five games for the Broncos in his first two years.

Starting point is 00:03:30 Now, obviously, the last two years, he has emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He's getting better year after year. You know what that is? That's player development. But also, it's combining player development with a skill set that a player has at his elite level traits at certain things and areas where maybe he was perceived to be weak coming out of the draft initially he has improved on. He's gotten really good at, especially against the run.

Starting point is 00:03:54 That was one of the critiques. early on in the first couple of seasons was the Broncos, Cooper and Benito, they got to be better at setting the outside edge and keeping contained. They had done a tremendous job in growing into players that have made those previous critiques of their game as strengths of theirs, which you love to see that. I also think you look at other guys too, like Jayquan Macmillan, who was on the practice squad, the Broncos completely clean house after that Miami Dolphins game in terms of who was starting, some veteran guys that got rid of the saying bassy and Jayquan got thrust into the mix where he

Starting point is 00:04:25 started making plays right away. And all of a sudden, in 2023, J-Quan became such an important contributor for Denver, not only defensively. He was responsible for a handful of forced turnovers during Denver's five-game win streak that they had. And then you can span even further into now like 2024, he went out and played really well for the Broncos. Emerged as one of the better young nickel defenders in the NFL. And in 2025, he showcased that despite Denver adding Judea Baron into the mix via the NFL draft. I also think think Justin Sternat is a great example of that as well. Now, John, he goes back to the John Elway or he's the last pick, I believe, you know, from the John Elway draft class besides

Starting point is 00:05:04 Garrett Bulls and Cortland Sutton. He has been a player that has risen year over year. And last year, he started more games than he ever has so far in the early parts of his career, re-signed in free agency. And now he's going to be starting alongside Alex Singleton, more than likely this upcoming season. He's a great example of player development, cut his teeth on special teams and then got more defensive wraps. I think you look at Alex Paucheschi. The Broncos obviously held him kind of on IR as a rookie. He made the 53, his rookie season, but they held them on IR kind of as a red shirt year for

Starting point is 00:05:36 him. He stepped up into his first real season on the NFL in terms of getting some playing time in 2024. And then last year filled in at left guard, he's a great example of being in the system, knowing the same terminology and going out there and producing on the field and stepping up when there's an injury because that's ultimately. what you want in today's NFL. If your starter goes down, you need the backup to come in and play well.

Starting point is 00:06:00 And Paucheski played at a very high level when he filled in for Ben Power. So he's a great name to kind of throw out there as well. Dandre Tillman's a good example of a guy who got some opportunities after really impressing in training camp, getting more on-field reps, even though he wasn't in the premier rotation when he was on the field. He made the most of his reps. And last year, 2025, he earned more reps this season. He's earned more reps.

Starting point is 00:06:23 That is player development. Chris Abram's drain stepping in as well when there's an injury to Riley Moss in 2024, Passertan in 2025, and then I'll go through even Jolin McLaughlin, has been a player who's developed nicely in the system. And the reason why all of this works, ladies and gentlemen, is because of continuity, head coach, GM, coordinators for the most part. The continuity in the Mile High City has stayed the same amongst the coaching staff with some changes here and there in terms of position coaches.

Starting point is 00:06:50 Some guys getting fired. Some guys getting elevated to a new spot. but the message, the overall terminology in the system and the scheme and the playbook is the same, whereas the Broncos had players like Quinn Miners going through in 2021, a new head coach, 2022, new head coach, 23, new head coach. But now they've been able to actually build in the same system and the organizational vision has been aligned between the GM and the head coach and the scouting department. And now you're seeing that play out with the roster on the field,

Starting point is 00:07:19 which is a big reason the Broncos ultimately decided on bringing everybody back, in NFL free agency. 17 of their 21 free agents to be this past season are back on the team going into 2026 right now, at least for the summer for the training camp and preseason period. That right there speaks to in-house development. The Broncos, they've taken flyers on guys in the NFL drafts, some undrafted guys, even in this year's class that could develop, have some high upside traits. We'll talk about which players the Broncos have that are first year players and second year players that could be fast-tracked and their development here on today's episode of the show.

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Starting point is 00:09:02 You don't have to say yes to everything this summer. Find support in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off BetterHelp.com slash locked on. That's better. H-E-L-P.com slash locked on. Today's show is also brought to you by our friends over there at Square. It's the business platform that helps sellers become neighbor. neighborhood favorites, whether you're gearing up for a busy season or just trying to keep up with everyday demand, Square keeps your business running smoothly from payments to online orders, inventory, staff, and so much more all in one place so you can focus on your customers and not your to do list. Square helps businesses simplify the day to day while still giving them room to grow. There's a coffee shop down the road here off of Santa Fe that I go to often.

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Starting point is 00:10:20 slash go slash locked on NFL, get started with Square and build a setup that works the way you do. The Denver Broncos have a handful of rookie players undrafted guys this year and second year players that could develop into potential future starters for this team. If all things continue to track the way that Denver's player development system has already emphasized since George Payton and Sean Payton have come together. We appreciate you so much Broncos country for tuning in. If you want your daily Broncos fix, ad free, uninterrupted. We'll check out the Everydayer Club here today.

Starting point is 00:10:51 You can sign up at lockdownbroncos.supercast.com or link is in the show notes down below. And you can start your seven-day free trial here today. Let's get into our conversation here about some players that are either rookies this year or second-year players that have a chance to fast track their potential development into more pivotal roles. And I also think, too, it's important to say not every developmental player is going to be an ideal starter for you on offense or defense. you can develop into a key special teams guy that never leaves the field that can play in all four phases. That's certainly an element that is possible in this conversation. I think sometimes we get enamored with who can start, who can be a future starter.

Starting point is 00:11:31 Ultimately, you do draft guys and you do sign some guys that you feel like could be starters for you down the road. But the ideal reality is that not every player you want to develop will be a starter for you. But can't they be a key backup for you in the event there is an injury to your starter? I think that's also another element. Because think about it this way. You have 11 starting jobs on offense, 11 on defense, 11 on special teams. You have to make, hey, if you're a player in one of those categories. And for some of these younger players, you're going to have to make hey, on offense and special teams or defense and special teams if you want to have a chance to have a longer career.

Starting point is 00:12:07 And I think there are a handful of guys. Devin Key is a great example of a young guy coming in a few years ago, being a practice squad player, but also just being on the training camp roster, going out there in a pressing, the preseason making plays and then making the 53 man roster. Look what he has emerged into. He's emerged into his special teams, first team all pro. He's got the chance to play a little bit more defensively maybe this year. And maybe in the future going forward, he could be a future starter here.

Starting point is 00:12:32 I think Devin Key's a great example. He's one of the first names we'll kick things off with. But there's another young player I want to talk about here as well. Frank Crum, offensive tackle out of Wyoming last year really stepped up as the reporting man eligible for Denver after Alex Paucheski had to slide over and start. at left guard, where that was previously Paucho's job. And Alex Paucheschi is also a great name to throw in here as one of those developmental options here.

Starting point is 00:12:54 But Frank Crum, ideally for the Broncos, as they're approaching this interesting intersection between Mike McGlinchie's contract coming up here in two years, Garrett Bulls, getting up there and age, still wanting to play longer. The Broncos still need to look at potential future options here and also just options in the event of an injury. Alex Paucheschi did a tremendous job filling in for Mike McGlinchie in 2024 when he He went on a short-term IR stint with a knee injury. And then Garrett Bulls, do it as tough as Nell's.

Starting point is 00:13:23 Since breaking his leg in 2022, he's come back stronger and better than ever. But as he gets up there in age, the Broncos might want to have an option that, hey, if something were to happen to Garrett injury-wise or if Garrett suddenly in the next year or two, wanted to step away and retire and just enjoy life because he's earned it. When you need to have options, you don't want to be left just sitting there like, oh, no, we don't have a plan here. That's why the Broncos are taking these flyers on guys like Frank Crum, Palchowski, Tyler Miller as well.

Starting point is 00:13:49 And they're saying we want to develop these guys. We want to see what they can do. And they have the potential. I think Frank Crum has certainly some athletic potential. It's something as Sean Payton has raved about about him. He's very, very athletic at that position. But he's got good size, good hands. We saw him what he could do when the ball gets putting his hands in the NFL playoffs.

Starting point is 00:14:07 He scored a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. But you look at him. I think you look at other guys as well, like Andreessen. the rookie free agent linebacker, Tori in York, in terms of where he's at, he obviously has the highest contract guarantee out of any of the Broncos, undrafted rookie free agents. He signed a three-year deal, obviously where it's up to worth $325,000, I believe, guaranteed for him. That is important when you look at maybe where this guy can be.

Starting point is 00:14:33 Can he develop? Can he play a special teams role here? Maybe as a rookie, can he do that in year two? And then can he eventually maybe get on the field as a starter? He's got a Wesley Woodyard type of profile. That would say I would look at as being an undersized linebacker, but had the options, the instincts, he knows how to play fast, good tackler, team captain. He was a green dot guy.

Starting point is 00:14:52 Obviously for that Texas A&M defense and now can that translate in the next one to two, maybe even three years for Denver? Because initially, once again, it was a three-year deal he signed as an undrafted the rookie free agent to come here to Denver. He's an option there. Red Murdoch is a seventh round player. The Broncos like their linebackers.

Starting point is 00:15:10 They got several developmental prospects between York, Murdoch. You look at Jordan Turner from last year, Karen A. Reid and even LaVelle Bailey, these guys are all developing. And there's going to be competition here at linebacker going in through OTA's training camp, the preseason, that will ultimately determine who makes the 53-man roster at the end of August when those final cuts have to come in. And I even think third round rookie defensive lineman Tyler Oenietam is another option that can be fast-tracked in terms of his development. because this upcoming season, I imagine he's going to play quite a bit alongside Savian Jones and Inouma Uazareke. The Broncos will probably work this rotation between these three players opposite of Zach Allen because they're going to need it.

Starting point is 00:15:52 And they're going to need Savion to take a huge step forward this year after really not playing much as a rookie. But banking on the fact that he's used the off season to get bigger, stronger, faster. He knows the playbook now a little bit more than he did last year. And now when the pads come on, it's about getting off to a fast start. It's about showcasing what he can do from a physical standpoint, a finesse standpoint against the run, can he rush the quarterback, all of these questions that these players have coming into training camp. But there's not a lot of inherent pressure on them to have to be something that they're not right away. And that is something that philosophically, George Peyton, Sean Payton, assistant GM,

Starting point is 00:16:27 Reid Burkart, who was a finalist for the Minnesota Vikings' GM job, told us after the NFL draft. They believe that they have players ahead, good guys as well, good leaders like Zach Allen, and a handful of players, all these other positions have really good depth. They have guys that are willing to teach and help the young guys learn the ropes, even though the NFL is a business where teams may look to replace certain guys. The Broncos bringing everybody back reaffirms that they're committed to this roster. They're committed to believing that this is a Super Bowl caliber roster and a team that was one game shy that last year they feel like they can get there.

Starting point is 00:16:59 And now these younger guys coming in, if they can buy into the system into the program, they believe that they can have one of the strongest rosters in the NFL. they can maintain that for years, not just for a one to three year window that people perceive that Denver certainly has. And I think ultimately it goes back to the continuity of coaching staff, the front office, the scouting department, the way that Denver has structured it, it allows people to move up that have been with the organization for a long time and for the coaching staff. It has kind of been that same exact way as well with a couple of replacements here and there

Starting point is 00:17:29 after that, you know, every year since Sean Payton has taken over as head coach, they have made some changes to some of the coaching staff positions either due to coaching performance not being good enough, players not doing what the coaches ultimately want, that puts pressure on the coaches and ultimately determines whether or not they keep their jobs. Sean Payton's motto is slow to hire, quick to fire. And I think that has benefited this Denver team because not only do the players know the stakes, the coaches know the stakes as well. I think it puts everybody on their A game.

Starting point is 00:17:58 And ultimately, all of this leads to my own personal opinion in Broncos country. I'm curious for your thoughts on why Denver has in my opinion. The best developmental system right now in the entire NFL from a roster standpoint, I think from top to bottom, they're in a very good spot here. Share your thoughts on me on today's episode. If you're a brand new viewer or listener of Locked on Broncos, we got you covered every single day, boots on the ground. I'm a credentialed reporter who covers the Broncos at every practice.

Starting point is 00:18:25 The media is allowed to attend every game home and away. You get all that coverage here, locked on Broncos. Plus, I do written work over there at Milehysports.com. So if you want boots on the ground, Broncos coverage, this is the place to be subscriber follow. So you never miss out on what's going on with your favorite team. OTAs continues here on day two as the Broncos reported on Tuesday, at practice here on Wednesday. And then there's going to be another practice on Thursday, which I will be at.

Starting point is 00:18:50 And we'll have a complete recap of that here, Locked on Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - BEST IN NFL: Why Denver Broncos Have NFL's BEST Player Development System

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