Woody Paige: Despite plethora of questions, Broncos draft gets an ‘A’ grade

By Woody Paige April 27, 2024 | updated 1 year ago

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If they look like Ducks, walk like Ducks and quack like Ducks, then they must be Broncos.

Denver is Dux Unlimited with quarterback Bo Nix, center Alex Forsyth and wide receiver Troy Franklin.

In 1964 the Broncos selected Oregon quarterback Bob Berry in the last (26th) round of the AFL draft. Instead he opted for the NFL. Sixty years later two of their top three picks were Nix in the first round (12th) and Franklin in the fourth (102nd). Forsythe was the Broncos’ final choice (257th) in the 2023 NFL draft. The trio is thrilled to be here. In franchise history the Broncos have drafted 13 Ducks, and the team’s all-time roster includes 27 Ducks.

The Eugene Offense Machine has been good to Denver. Utah hasn’t been bad. Third-round selection Jonah Elliss, an edge rusher, and last-rounder Devaughn Vele, a big (6-foot-4), old (26) bizarre combo receiver, will become the 16th and 17th Utes-Broncos, including Jonah’s father Luther and Garett Bolles.

The Broncos drafted their 11th player from running back Audric Estime. If only he can become another Jerome Bettis or George Gipp.

From 2010 to 2024 the Broncos go from “T-Bo” to Bo. From 2022-2023 to 2024 the Broncos go from “Boo’’ (what Russell Wilson heard) to Bo. They go from trading for Russell Wilson to trading for Zach Wilson. Will Jarrett Stidham go from being succeeded by Nix at Auburn to being replaced by Nix in Denver? Benjamin Anthony DiNucci (BAD), we hardly knew ye.

Broncos Backers can grade the team’s draft with their same shout @ Mile High Stadium when opposing quarterbacks throw an awful pass.

IN-COM-PLEAT!

Depends on who you depend on – alleged draft “experts’’, purported “insiders’’ or the Broncos their own selves who did the selecting.

Payton, Paton & Penner will exclaim “A+++”!

However, the previous regime presented the same evaluation in 2019 and 2020. Only one player from the 16 chosen in those two drafts remains with the Broncos. Justin Strnad has played primarily on special teams. Courtland Sutton is the last man left standing from 2018.

George Paton’s period the past three years has 13 drafted players still on the depth chart, but just three (Pat Surtain II, Quinn Meinerz and Marvin Mims) are Pro Bowl quality. And Paton was responsible for Wilson’s trade and ludicrous contract, the Randy Gregory and Frank Clark free-agency fiascos and the hiring of whatshisname as head coach.

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This is Sean Payton’s Draft. Principle owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner sat in the Broncos draft chamber on the row behind the head coach, so the power positioning was evident.

Check back in two or three years from today for a true assessment.

And hope that the Reign of Terrible in Broncoville has ended by then. Do they finish above .500 and compete for a playoff spot in 2024? Does the P, P and P triumvirate lead, with Nix and Next Gen, the Broncos finally to a playoff victory for the first time in a decade in ’25? Are the Broncos Bowl bound by ’26?

Completing coverage of 50 NFL drafts I have more questions than answers.

In 1976 I wrote in the Rocky Mountain News that John Ralston should draft Colorado State quarterback Mark Driscoll (of La Junta) in a later round, but the Cowboys chose him at 374th. He was cut in training camp, but eventually served as CSU AD.

After seeing the Stanford-Washington game in 1982, I told Dan Reeves he must draft John Elway No. 4 overall, and he replied: “He won’t be there. We got no chance of ever getting him.’’

I have suggested in columns the drafting of Dak Prescott, then Josh Allen, but Elway paid no attention.

On Jan. 19, 2024, I stated in The Gazette: “Bo knows football. Bo throws footballs. The Broncos should board the Bo Nix bandwagon.’’

Nationally, the Broncos will receive B’s and even C’s, downgraded as a result of the high grab of Nix, the lack of a second-round choice and only six overall picks after trading lower selections. But they drafted their QB and his favorite receiver, an edge rusher, a receiver/returner who may be a tight end, a cornerback, a running back and, in a surprise trade, a veteran defensive end.

Grading on the curve, I bestow the Broncos with an “A’’.

Because of Broncos and Ducks and Utes.

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Woody Paige: Despite plethora of questions, Broncos draft gets an ‘A’ grade

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