Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - PRIMER: How Denver Broncos Approach Day 3 of NFL Draft, Inside Info On Day 2 Approach

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos went away from the consensus on day two of the NFL draft. And as they approach the final day, they have a chance to add some depth at some positions of need. We'll break it all down here on today's episode of the show. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Good morning, Broncos country. I'm Cody Orkin on today's bonus episode of the show.

Starting point is 00:00:30 We're going to set the stage for today's final day of the NFL draft. For Denver, it would be day two for them, but they're going to wrap everything up as they get ready to kick things off with two picks to begin the fourth round at 108 and 111. We'll go through and discuss whether or not they'll look at tight end linebacker or running back. They're going to be on the clock here early today and they're going to have a handful of picks here on the back end. But we're also going to give some inside perspective on how the Broncos approached their pick at 66 last night with Tyler on Yetam. You're going to get all here on today's episode of the show here. Broncos country, look, some initial reaction. I've seen your comments.

Starting point is 00:01:04 I was at the Broncos team headquarters yesterday for the NFL draft, covering it over there. Sair did a great job with the bonus episode, kind of outlining the pick. I want to share my perspective on that here as you get ready for your morning, breakfast, coffee, and then obviously a full day of the NFL draft. This is what it's all about, folks here. Some mixed reactions to the selection. You're now going back to a few weeks ago, many of you that listen to the bonus episodes, you heard that I kind of planted my flag on the Broncos going,

Starting point is 00:01:33 with defensive line. I felt like considering the loss of JFM, that was big for them. I've talked about that a lot on this show. Those of you who are everydayers understand that. And I didn't feel comfortable coming into this draft thinking like, hey, this is just a room right now that's just questionable. Just has some questions, some unknowns. Maybe it could have surprised me, even if they didn't go with a defensive lineman. But they went with a defensive lineman here. And Tyler Onegetam out of Texas A&M. I like him as a player. I think he's a great creator of penetration in the backfield, eight and a half TFL's last season,

Starting point is 00:02:05 20 and a half TFL's total for him in his playing career, four years at Iowa State. And then obviously this past season at Texas A&M, we caught up with George and Sean Payton following the conclusion of round three last night. And one of the things that they told us was that Iowa State, when he was playing in that defense, it was a little bit of a three, three, five. It was a little different.

Starting point is 00:02:26 It was a little harder to evaluate, but they felt like after evaluating his fit inside of Texas, and him, his tape there, they felt like that translates well to what they want to do defensively this upcoming season. Now, I think George and Sean have kind of showcased this, and they've said this, folks. So I don't know why folks are surprised. They don't get on the NFL train. They don't subscribe to the consensus.

Starting point is 00:02:48 And the consensus ultimately coming into the draft was, well, the Broncos need to draft a tight end, a linebacker, and a running back. They still very much could, right? But I think Broncos country, and this is why respectfully, folks, this is why I have absolutely hate mock draft sometimes because you run a thousand mock draft simulations. You got this player going here. This player is going to be available. And most of the time, nine times out of 10, it never plays out that way.

Starting point is 00:03:11 I think there is a little bit of a disconnect from reality of mock draft simulators that are trying their best to use algorithms and data to try to figure out, hey, can we get this as accurate as possible? And there's nothing wrong with that. But I'm saying sometimes I think fans get so fixated and they fall in love with certain prospects. And understandably so, you can fall in love with prospects. in other ways outside of just mock draft simulations.

Starting point is 00:03:33 But even if you fell in love with that prospect, it may not be somebody the Broncos have a high grade on. One thing that George and Sean said to us when we talked to them after the draft last night was that they're not concerned about going out there and making a splash. Their focus is on player, the vision for the player, the grade that they have on the player, and they don't subscribe to the consensus

Starting point is 00:03:53 if people have this guy mocked as a third or a fourth round guy, they have their own grades and their own backgrounds they put together on this player. they talked about his athletic traits, obviously who he is, high character player. That's something that they measured there. We talked to, obviously, Onietam after, he was drafted just moments after, and he said that he can play anywhere and everywhere on the defensive line. He says, when you think of a defensive lineman, you think of someone who's a DN and a D tackle, I can play everywhere. I can do everything.

Starting point is 00:04:20 And that allows the Broncos to move him around. And he doesn't have to just be on the left side. He can move left to right, inside, outside. He can do a lot of different things here. and he's got good size and physicality to him. Now, it may not be the pick that many in Broncos country want. A lot of people saying, oh, this is a boring pick, but the Broncos reiterated it after their press conference is

Starting point is 00:04:40 they're drafting based on player vision, grade, impact, and that he graded out higher. And here's how some things kind of unfolded. I think this is where maybe some background is going to come into this whole entire scenario, Broncos country, because we're sitting there at Broncos headquarters yesterday as the draft is unfolding. and we're seeing how the board is falling. Now, when Denver got within five picks of being on the clock

Starting point is 00:05:02 when they were initially set to pick at 62, we started to see just, okay, Denver's got a shot here. There's going to be some tight ends, linebackers, running backs available here. Everything changed the pick number 60 when the Tennessee Titans

Starting point is 00:05:14 jumped up ahead of Denver to take Anthony Hill Jr. linebacker out of Texas. Then on the very next pick, Max Claire, tight end out of Ohio State, he gets taken off the board. At that point, the Broncos then,

Starting point is 00:05:27 traded back to 66 with the Buffalo Bills. And in return, they acquired the very first pick of round number six. So they acquired a six round hole there. And they had Tyler O'Neidum, as what George and Sean had said as one of those players, one of the six players there. But they indicated that some of the players that they had in that six player category range that they outlined they think would be there at 62, some of those players fell off the board. George Payton talked about that. I think Anthony Hill Jr. I think Max Clare, I think those were two of those players that obviously had fallen from there. So they went to, okay, the next grade defensive line, we really like this player.

Starting point is 00:06:05 They felt like he was a great fit. They had conviction on it. It may not have been the popular pick in the eyes of Broncos country, but it was the one that the Broncos feel like will make a difference for them. And they even said to the point, you know, when we're looking at players offensively defensively, and Sean said this himself, we're not focused on the splash. We didn't want to be in a position as well where you maybe reach for a player at a position. Now, while you guys, and maybe even there's prospects that myself and even Sarah like,

Starting point is 00:06:31 that we would think, hey, these guys would be great for the Broncos, doesn't seem like the Broncos feel that way. I came away and I was talking to other people there as well. Mike Cliss and I were chatting. We don't feel like the Broncos felt very strongly about this year's draft class. I think that overall, the NFL also felt the same exact way about it, considering how many players, I mean, how many teams didn't have a first round pick initially going into day one.

Starting point is 00:06:55 and George made it sure to reiterate, and so did Sean. The Broncos had a first round pick. They selected Jaylen Waddle. They traded for Jailin Waddle, which was a huge, huge splash. And so that as a perspective, I think a lot of us are forgetting because, hey, the NFL draft is so in our face here. Denver's not on the clock in the first round.

Starting point is 00:07:15 Well, they got that first round pick, essentially Jalen Waddle. So I think Denver, that's a better player than anybody that Denver would have gotten there. Yes, you could have made some arguments there. I don't know if Denver anticipated maybe Tennessee jumping up to take a player like Anthony Hill Jr. This may be something we find out later on down the road. But I also know the Broncos from people that I've spoken to, they viewed Max Clare probably is a better overall tight-end prospect than Eli Stowers. Eli Stowers is obviously athletic, can jump out of the gym essentially if you need to throw a

Starting point is 00:07:48 jump ball there. I know there were some concerns on some medicals. But the thing is with Max Claire, they felt like he was a better well-rounded tight-end prospect could block in line could also be a valuable receiving option for you. I don't know if they anticipated him going at 61. That was one of those surprise there. So that could have impacted the board. And look, it's all about the intel too.

Starting point is 00:08:07 I think a lot of people don't understand that going into the draft or going into like this realm when you're within five picks, that's when other teams start talking with one another. But the Broncos may not have had wind that Tennessee was looking to move up to take a linebacker, right? maybe Tennessee had to win, hey, we felt like Denver would have been a place that maybe they would have taken a linebacker. This was the guy that we wanted, and that's why they made the trade up. Sometimes that's out of teams control, but Denver still sticks to the board, and that's one thing that Sean said. We trust our board. We're sticking to the vision that we have, and we're following our board there.

Starting point is 00:08:42 So those are some developments, obviously, from day one. The Broncos, obviously, today they're going to be on the clock early, picks 108 and 11 in the fourth round, and they could still address linebacker, running back, or tight-in. We'll talk about some of the best names available and maybe what to expect here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode of the show was brought to you by friends over there at Kaushi. The NFL draft is this week, and every pick in the draft is a tradable moment on Kaushi. You can take a look at specific picks as well, especially as the Broncos get deeper into

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Starting point is 00:11:20 What can we expect here this morning is the Broncos have two picks within three slots of each other in round four granted. If they stay here at this spot, Broncos GM George Payton said that these two picks coming up in the fourth round here today. They will also help define their draft. The Broncos feel like they can get quality players here in round four. And for Broncos country, as we talked about the consensus earlier, where everyone thinks they should have gone with the 62nd or the 66 overall pick, maybe they focus on linebacker, running back, or tight-in here this morning. And I think as we get ready to start off the morning here, you could take a look at a couple of running backs.

Starting point is 00:11:59 Washington running back Jonah Coleman. He is available here. Arkansas running back Mike Washington, Jr. He's also available to start off the day. And we'll see if there's maybe a little bit of an early run. The Broncos might even have to trade up ahead of it. But they may feel confident the board will fall their way. I think also at linebacker, Kyle Lewis out of Pittsburgh, who's got some rangy

Starting point is 00:12:19 athleticism. He's obviously in the mix as well. I think you look at TCU's, Caleb Elam's, or as another option here at linebacker specifically. And I really think right now, the only tied-in prospect that I would probably have true interest in would be Justin Jolie. We'll see if that is an option here for Denver. Obviously, the biggest thing coming out of what we learned last night from George and Sean as well outside of the intel on how their process went with the pick of

Starting point is 00:12:46 Tyler Ognettum with the 66 overall pick. here is that George Payton and Sean both flat out said here coming out in their press conference that this draft is about getting backups who can develop. Developmental backups. And I think a lot of that was their approach coming into this entire NFL draft. Now granted, going where Oneedum ultimately went, John Payton did say when you have a player who's picked at that spot. And it happens to be really their only premium pick, that player will have the opportunity

Starting point is 00:13:17 probably to play right away compared to some of the other positions or picks that Denver's going to have in this year's draft. The ideal vision for anyone they take today is going to be developmental backups. And I think that perspective has to be at the forefront here. And that's not to say that some of these guys, the vision for them right away is a developmental backup that could eventually play some snaps for us. Some of these guys, once they actually take the field in rookie minicamp, in OTAs, and in training camp collectively, and then you combine that with preseason play, some of these guys could actually accelerate that vision and that timeline. Some guys may need more time.

Starting point is 00:13:54 That's just how this draft has worked specifically for Denver. And it was always going to work this way, though, Broncos Country. Like that's what we have said. And I've been on the record. You could go back and probably find five or six shows in the last month where I've said, Broncos Country, just remember, temper your expectations. This is a draft where you're probably not going to get a day one starter. Norwich has said that.

Starting point is 00:14:15 Sean has said that they're telling you. And look, when you have a roster that has 71 players from last year returning, now going into at least this morning, you only have three new additions. You have Tyson Anderson that you signed the safety formerly of Cincinnati, the big trade for Jalen Waddle, and now your rookie draft pick that you had there, Tyler Ognettom, and Broncos Country get used to saying his name. I think he's going to play right away as a rookie. Now, obviously, he's going to have to earn his stripes, as Sean Payton said.

Starting point is 00:14:42 but I think things that I've seen from his tape translate really well to this defensive scheme that I do think that he and Savian Jones and maybe In Yomahua O'wasarike, who he's very close with former teammates when they're at Iowa State. I think they'll all play well in a rotation because I don't think just one guy can replace what JFM brought to the table. I think that's going to be a by-committee approach outside of Zach Allen. But I think his traits, how physically he is, his ability to get in the backfield can create some opportunities. And maybe then Denver here this morning will go with a linebacker. One of the names that I mentioned, obviously, Elam's or out of TCU or as we talked about,

Starting point is 00:15:18 Kyle Lewis out of Pittsburgh. Those are possibilities here. Running back, as we mentioned with Jonah Coleman, Mike Washington, Jr. Certainly is a possibility. You can look later on down the line, maybe Noah Whittington. Another linebacker option out of Oregon. Bryce Betcher could be in the mix. But really right here, folks, the expectation is developmental backup.

Starting point is 00:15:38 of. And so what does that role look like after they make these picks? You know, I think everyone wanted the Broncos to go into this draft saying, hey, you want to go get a star. You want to go to a starter right away. That was never going to be the actual ploy here unless Denver was going to trade up from 62 to, you know, in the 50s or the 40s. Then that would have been a little bit more reasonable. But that's not what they wanted to do. And so I understand Broncos country, do some more research on obviously Denver's third round pick. Whoever they pick today, don't come into it.

Starting point is 00:16:08 just a negative mindset. Look, I'm not coming into it with a positive or a negative mindset. I'm saying, hey, this is why the Broncos did it. I'm also looking at the player and saying, hey, I like what this player did. I like what he can do in this defense. But the jury's still out. We have to see these guys all on the field. Plain and simple. That's really where our evaluation will come. We have our initial impressions. And certainly you do as well. But I think we just got to stop embracing everything with just a negative mindset Broncos. I get it. It wasn't the flashy linebacker tight end or running back that you want it at 62 i get it you have every right to be frustrated but don't don't poop on the pick that they made just because of that i think this has i

Starting point is 00:16:47 think it's a good pick initially it has to prove itself to be a good pick that right now is a relative unknown but what we do know this draft class regardless was going to be hard for everybody to even make this 53 men roster coming up the season some of these guys if the broncos keep all their picks from now on to the remainder of the entire draft. Three or four of these guys will probably be practice squad guys, maybe not even on the roster. One of those guys could probably not be on the roster. So we'll see how things go.

Starting point is 00:17:17 One thing I want to tell you, we're going to have you covered every step of the way here, locked on Broncos. Here in the coming days, obviously you're going to get reaction from Sarah on the Broncos picks today. You'll get my reaction with Sarah a little bit later on. And then we're going to start doing deeper player profile insights where we can learn about how he can fit in the scheme,

Starting point is 00:17:33 what we've seen from the tape, because we're going to get our hands on some college all 22 to be able to look at these prospects a lot more than just a stat box and just clips that we see. We're going to dive a lot deeper, and we're going to bring that analysis to all of you in Broncos country. Enjoy your morning, get a cup of coffee, get a breakfast breeder or something,

Starting point is 00:17:49 just sit back, relax, let the NFL draft come to you. The Broncos, they're on the clock. Pick 108 and pick 11. We'll have you later with all the recap.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - PRIMER: How Denver Broncos Approach Day 3 of NFL Draft, Inside Info On Day 2 Approach

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