Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - METHODICAL: Why the Denver Broncos DRAFT and DEVELOP Approach Has Paid Off

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos draft and develop approach has work for them dating back to 2021, and they could be primed to do the same exact thing ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. 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? I'm Cody Roar, Credential Broncos reporter from Iowa High Sports. Welcome into today's bonus episode of Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. part of the Locked-on podcast network, the number one sports podcast network in the country.

Starting point is 00:00:36 Thanks to all you every dayers out there for tuning in, making us your first listen. On today's bonus episode of the show, we're going to be talking about the Broncos draft and develop approach since George Payton has taken over the team. And it has paid off for them when you look at the roster who's starting the growth and development of certain players. And we're also going to talk about maybe why 2026 NFL draft could be another example of the Broncos going in strong to address maybe future starters. We'll look at all that here on today's episode of the show here.

Starting point is 00:01:03 Folks, let's open it up here. Since George Payton has taken over as general manager for the Broncos back in 2021, really after the 2020 NFL season when John Lowe stepped away, Peyton called the Broncos a sleeping giant. And from that very point forward, look, they went out and they got some guys in free agency. They went out in the NFL draft primarily, and that's really where they added the meat and potatoes to what we now see for today's NFL team here.

Starting point is 00:01:28 and you start with that 2021 NFL draft, obviously led by all pro cornerback, Patrick Sertandas second, defensive player of the year. Jonathan Cooper being another guy who's a key start that's got an extension. Quinn Miners in All-Pro Guard, who's also got an extension. Three of those names from that class have really gone on to thrive. Now, Javonte Williams, obviously the Broncos, they moved on from him. He went to Dallas, had success last year, and has now gotten a contract extension. So he's been a player that is still thriving. But obviously when we're looking at the meat and potatoes of Denver's roster,

Starting point is 00:02:00 those three players, Sartan, you look at Cooper, you look at obviously Quinn, they have been players that have thrived in this draft and develop approach. And Denver had their picks then. But now let's take a look at 2022's draft. For the Broncos, they didn't have a first round pick. The only pick that they had that was premier was the late second round pick that they acquired from trading Von Miller to Los Angeles Rams. And now he landed Nick Bonito, who is obviously a Pro Bowl path rush.

Starting point is 00:02:26 got some all pro recognition as well for him and as a starter contract extension for him in yoma uazareke even though he faced some adversity missing an entire year due to the gambling issue has grown i'd say since then since he's been able to return back to the building he's been a nice young developmental player for denver here luke waddenberg starting center for the broncos just got a contract extension as well so you look at some of these hits here that denvers had and of course there are some players that aren't even on the roster anymore from that draft class from 2021 but that's not the point of today's show. The point is saying, hey, you're not always going to hit,

Starting point is 00:03:00 but do you have more guys that have hit than you've missed on? That's the case here. 2023, Riley Moss, Marvin Mims. Drew Sanders is probably the only guy from that class right now. That hasn't been considered, you know, a complete evaluation because you haven't been able to fully evaluate him because of injuries. He's missed a lot of time. Alex Forsyth, you know what you have in him.

Starting point is 00:03:19 He has started games for you at center. He's done really well filling in, backing up Luke Wattenberg. Anytime there's been an injury. J.L. Skinner, a key, special teams player. All right. So we're looking at all these drive classes so far, 2021, 22, 23. That's been great. Bo Nix in 2024. Jonah Ellis, key impact player, Troy Franklin, really up his Annie from his rookie season this past season. And then Chris Abrams drain has filled in nicely anytime the Broncos have had a cornerback injury. And then Nick Garzullo,

Starting point is 00:03:47 who was very, very high upside, you know, before his knee injury. We don't know what that's going to look like going forward. That's the question mark. 2025. Okay, Jada Baron, he filled in in a nice little role player role, despite not really playing a ton of snaps for Denver this year because of Jayquan Macmillan's emergence. That's fine there. He still contributed. He still had a positive impact on the team.

Starting point is 00:04:09 And then you look at guys like Pat Bryant contributing as well this past season. RJ Harvey, having to step up a little bit more. Jeremy Crosha, booming it for the Broncos. Denver's draft and developed strategy hasn't been bad, folks. I know that when you compare it to where free agency has gone here for this team, the frustration that fans have had about Denver losing JFM, PJ, but not yet adding an external free agent. That's where Broncos fans' frustration is, and I understand that,

Starting point is 00:04:36 but I also think if you look at the roster that Sean Payton himself said last year, hey, I think we can win a Super Bowl with this team. They came close. There were a few plays away from getting to the Super Bowl. Bowdo Nix doesn't get hurt. We're always going to have that question. What if? What if Bow Nicks never got hurt?

Starting point is 00:04:52 It's always going to be a pain point here. but Denver was competitive. Sure. Did they have deficiencies on the roster? Yeah. Do they still have some deficiencies or questions? Absolutely. I think it all changes, though, if Denver continues with this develop and approach strategy where these guys who played a lot last year play better in 2026, not necessarily

Starting point is 00:05:11 a guarantee, right? And I think that's where fans are frustrated. It's like, hey, there were times where it wasn't good. And you're banking on player development specifically to help get you to a Super Bowl. it's part of the equation here. But I think really for Denver right now, when you look at the big picture, you look at this current roster, maybe Denver didn't go out and make all these huge splash moves in free agency

Starting point is 00:05:32 because they like their roster. They like their key players at key positions. And you can make the argument. Yes, they could absolutely upgrade a tight end. Yes, they could upgrade at running back. I think when healthy, J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey will be a fun duo to watch. I think a tight end is probably the bigger questioner. Linebacker, the depth of that position.

Starting point is 00:05:49 Absolutely worth question. here at this point here. But the 2026 NFL draft is coming up in the month of April, and the Broncos could very well replenish some of their needs here ahead of 2027's NFL free agency period with this draft and develop strategy. We'll talk about that here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode Lockdown Broncos is brought to you by our friends over there at Indeed. Workplace chaos, deadline stacking up, the inbox overflowing in the one position you have to fill. It's still sitting open. When the pressure's on and you need the right, hire this is a job for sponsored jobs. Indeed, sponsored jobs helps you reach the people who

Starting point is 00:06:24 actually fit what you're looking for, whether it's skills, the experience, or the location. So you're not just hoping the right candidate stumbles across your post. And here is a stat that says it all. In the minute that I've been talking to you, companies like yours made 27 hires on Indeed, according to Indeed data worldwide. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes with Indeed, sponsored jobs. Spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your less stress, less time, more results when you need the right person to cut through the chaos. This is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs.

Starting point is 00:06:56 And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job. The premium status, it deserves. Indy.com slash podcast. Just go to Indeed.com slash podcast right now and support a show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indy.com slash podcast terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed, sponsored jobs. Today's show is also brought to you by our friends over there at Robin Hood.

Starting point is 00:07:19 What if sports were traded like markets? Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robin Hood prediction markets. It's not you against the house. It's you participating in a live market. You can buy or sell your positions live all game long. Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter. Robin Hood prediction markets changes the game. It's people moving the action.

Starting point is 00:07:37 So when momentum shifts, you can move with it. I always knew the game, but never had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge. Now I can actually take part. Live in a market powered by people. You're no longer just a spectator. play by play, you decide. Trade every play with Robin Hood. Now available across the U.S. download the Robin Hood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robin Hood

Starting point is 00:08:00 derivatives LLCA registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. Ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos, they like the roster that they have, but they could be looking to the future as the draft approaches this year, especially ahead of 2027 NFL free agency. How does that give the Broncos maybe an idea what positions to address here in this year's draft. We'll take a look at that here, folks. I think first off, you have to take a look at the draft capital that Denver certainly has. We know right now going into this year's draft, they have nine total draft picks. They have their first round pick, second rounder, third rounder.

Starting point is 00:08:35 They have two fourth round picks. One of those fourth rounders was acquired when they traded Devon Valey to the New Orleans Saints. They have a fifth rounder, and they have three seventh round picks. They had an original seventh round pick, but then they acquired two. cop picks for the final two seventh round picks that they have. And I don't know if Denver's going to stay in that exact order. But right now, nine draft picks with your premium picks being the first, second, third, and two fourth rounders in a fifth, Debra could do a lot of damage in those days.

Starting point is 00:09:02 And I think maybe in the first handful of picks here for them as well, it's what positions could they look to address in the draft that could maybe address something ahead of next year's NFL free agency. So in comparison, you have to look at what deals are expiring, what positions are expiring after this season if the Broncos don't hand out a contract extension before or during the season to any of these players that we're about to talk about. I think safety is one. We've seen several national analysts mocked the Broncos a safety in this year's draft in the first round, even some second round picks there because the Denver Broncos will obviously have to face the

Starting point is 00:09:37 dilemma of resigning or given an extension to Brandon Jones, which I believe they should extend Brandon Jones. He's been such a great player for them to add into the mix there, suffered that freak pectoral injury. But man, when he's been on the field, he's been a nice player to have there. He's been productive in that too high shell look alongside Talanoa Hufanga. They have J.L. Skinner and Devin Kee also set to hit free agency. JL. Skinner, as we all know, he's special teams player for them. So Denver could maybe look to add a potential guy who could step up and start for them in the future.

Starting point is 00:10:08 I still think that they have to evaluate what is the vision for some of these guys. How is it changed from the time they've drafted them to now? Devin Key's been an undrafted guy who's worked his way up to the top now in terms of getting an all pro as a special teams ace there. J.O. Skinner's been one of the Broncos best special teams players as well. So you want to retain some of these guys. But for J.L., if the vision here in Denver isn't for him to start or to play on defense, maybe there is a team out there that would look at doing that. And I think that's where maybe the questions kind of come in for there, which could lead to the Broncos. If they don't extend Brandon Jones, if they draft the safety in this year's draft, they could be evaluating,

Starting point is 00:10:44 looking at a completely different room opposite of Talanoho, Fonga, going into 2027. We're still ways away from that, but these are things that you have to think about, not just like, hey, we're going to look to 2027 and 20208. It's like, no, okay, we have to look at who can we get in this year's draft that could potentially help us in 2027 right away, right? So it's not just about the current or upcoming season that is here for Denver. You look at Guard. We all know Ben Powers in the last year of his deal the year this year.

Starting point is 00:11:11 Denver could look to maybe add a potential starter there, though I would have imagine that Denver might be more inclined to address that in free agency next year, or maybe via trade adding a potential starting guard there. I don't know. I feel like Sean Payton wants to have starting experience there. Maybe Nick Garjulo can progress in his recovery from a very, very major knee injury. He suffered last preseason, but that's a big gamble, right? You're hoping that you can draft and develop this guy.

Starting point is 00:11:39 I mean, Garjulo, there were big plans for him. Then he suffered the injury. So I'm very curious to see how Denver approaches guard. That could certainly be on the table for them here in this year's draft. Tide end. Evan Ingram set to become a free agent after this season. And if the Broncos can't find a way to utilize him the way that they had planned to, maybe Evan will end up elsewhere after 2026.

Starting point is 00:11:58 But if he plays really well and explodes big, I would expect an extension for Evan Ingram to come back to Denver. But in my opinion, they should still add another playmaking tied into the mix of the equation. See what's out there on the trade market. You know, like Denver did last year prior to the deadline, they had interest in, and obviously Luke Musgrave of the Green Bay Packers, that fell through after Tucker Crafts injury that he had, unfortunately. So Denver has been always looking to maybe add to this room.

Starting point is 00:12:27 I don't think you can necessarily bank on your player development with guys like Caleb Loner. You know, you took a gamble, a little bit of a flyer and a seventh round pick on him. The guy who was played, what, 50 something, a total offensive snaps at the college level, though impactful in the red zone, maybe the Broncos carve out. a roll from there, but you can't bank on that being what the Bronco, what is going to work, right? There's not a high level of success probability with that. So tight end, certainly much on the market. Wide receiver, certainly, definitely.

Starting point is 00:12:55 There's always been rumblings of the Broncos looking at receiver here. Marvin Mims is set to become a free agent after this season. Denver needs to find a way to extend him. They need to use him more, quite frankly, on the offensive side of the ball. I know we've been very candid about that here. But if Denver doesn't, I mean, very well, they could look to add to this position. in this year's NFL draft. We've seen Omar Cooper Jr. out of Indiana mock to the Broncos several times.

Starting point is 00:13:19 Obviously, in some of the national analyst mock drafts that we've seen ahead of April's big event, linebacker Drew Sanders set to become a free agent. We've already been on the record of talking about how we don't feel comfortable at the depth of this position as is. Yes, they re-sign Alex Singleton to a two-year deal, stern ad on a three-year deal. The depth behind them, not necessarily the greatest in terms of if someone goes down with an injury, can these guys behind them step up and start? Drew Sanders, you talk about the availability history.

Starting point is 00:13:47 There's a chance he might not even make it on the active roster going into 2026. So this is very much a position considering the depth. I would say of this year's draft class at linebacker, Denver absolutely should be adding a linebacker in this year's draft. He's going to be a premium pick, maybe, maybe not. What to see? Cornerback, Riley Moss, set to become a free agent after the season if Denver does not extend him. you look at Chris Abrams Drain, a guy who's developed really nicely for the Broncos,

Starting point is 00:14:14 as well as we talked about earlier on the show. You have him. You have Jada Baron where there's been rumblings. Maybe he's going to move and compete with Riley and Abrams drain this offseason for maybe the starting job opposite of Pat Certan. Certainly that is on the table here, but you could never have enough cornerback depth in today's NFL. Would that be the move that would move the needle for Denver

Starting point is 00:14:33 if Denver drafted another first round corner? Absolutely not. But if they took a corner in rounds two and three, it wouldn't shock me in the slightest, considering maybe the output path of, you know, where Riley's entering his last year. Could he garner trade interest? What about Jadae Barron? Could he take that step four, right? I mean, everything is on the table here for Denver.

Starting point is 00:14:52 So there are really about six positions that we're looking at specifically that Denver could target with their premium picks in this year's NFL draft that could maybe address starting jobs in the 2027 NFL season. Certainly something to keep an eye on here, Broncos country. but I want to know, I want to hear from you on today's episode of lockdown Broncos, your thoughts on Denver's draft and developed strategy. When you look at 2021, 2022, 2022, 2023, 2024, and some picks in the 2025 NFL draft class here for Denver, they have done a really good job of drafting and developing guys who are playing either starter minutes or guys that are key role players already. We have seen that.

Starting point is 00:15:28 So it's not like that's a bad approach here for Denver, but I'm curious for your thoughts. Could they do the same exact thing here in the 2026 NFL season? country. Let us know your thoughts here. And a quick reminder, too, if you want to get in, especially with March Madness coming up, we want you to join the Everyday Air Club. You can get a free month now with the code March. Get your first month free if you sign up before the NCAA tournament tips off this Thursday. You can compete against me and other members in the lockdown community in the men's and women's bracket pools on Discord. The winner in each will get $100 in locked on merch. The rest of us, we can also talk about it in the members only chats as our

Starting point is 00:16:03 brackets blow up. And as a member of the Everyday Air Club, you get an ad-free version of this show. Again, it's all free for a month with Code March. We'll be back tomorrow for a brand new episode, Lock on Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - METHODICAL: Why the Denver Broncos DRAFT and DEVELOP Approach Has Paid Off

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.