Instant reactions: Broncos cap off 2024 NFL Draft efforts with explosive Day 3

The Denver Broncos had themselves a terrific Day 3 of the NFL Draft which surrounded Bo Nix with friends on offense, a dynamic corner on defense, and a trade for a starting defensive lineman.

The Denver Broncos added their quarterback of the future on Day 1 of the NFL Draft with Oregon star Bo Nix. They added to their group of pass rushers by selecting Utah’s Jonah Ellis in the third round on Day 2.

On Day 3—the franchise embarked on successful journey that had them add foundational pieces to both sides of the ball. They added firepower on offense with a wide receiver and running back. Additionally, they drafted a starting caliber cornerback on defense.

The biggest surprise? They acquired Jonathan Franklin-Myers from the New York Jets to add a top-flight defensive lineman to their rotation.

Overall, I don’t think Broncos Country could have asked for a better Day 3 of the Draft. In case you were out and about and missed all the action—I’ve got all the bases covered for you. Let’s take a deeper dive into Denver’s Day 3 endeavors and appreciate how well the team did throughout the day!

Broncos kickoff Day 3 by trading up for Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin

As I said on the pre-Day 3 draft podcast, the Broncos would focus on adding some firepower on offense. In my Broncos mock draft, I had them moving up from #121 to #101 to take UCF’s Javon Baker. They wound up moving up from #121 to #102 to get Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin. My thought process was right, I was just wrong on the player. Though I’ll admit I never expected Franklin to be available for the Broncos on Day 3.

This is a great selection for Denver. Pairing Franklin with Bo Nix is tremendous—the bond and chemistry are already there. He is a legitimate deep threat, but also excelled on crossers, post routes and other middle of the field concepts that are essential to Sean Payton’s offense. My concerns are physicality and his ability on contested catches.

There is a lot of chatter on social media about his “best fit” whilst seemingly ignoring that Payton likes his players to know multiple receiver spots in the offense. Franlkin played on the perimeter and in the slot, so his versatility is well known. I’ll let the coaches figure out where he fits best, but there is no doubt he has the makeup and talent to be a good player.

I have confidence in their ability to come up with a plan where he can succeed. Given the logjam at the position, I wouldn’t expect top-tier numbers from him as a rookie. However, I have a feeling he can develop into a high-volume option in the Broncos’ offense by his second year in the National Football League.

Broncos add to secondary with Mizzou CB Kris Abrams-Draine

Yesterday I had wrote that the Broncos could be looking to upgrade their secondary, but a lot of the top defensive backs went off the board before they picked Jonah Ellis in the third-round. Today, they were able to address that need by adding Mizzou product Kris Abrams-Draine—which I think is a terrific fit in the fifth-round.

At 5’11 and just 179 pounds, there are some size concerns with the Tigers cornerback, but he plays much bigger than that and is a tenacious, quick-twitch defender who has a knack for making plays on the ball. Over the last two years as a starter, he had 34 passes defended and as a senior, came away with four interceptions. He also can play the boundary and the slot adding some much-needed versatility to the Broncos’ secondary.

Patrick Surtain II’s spot on the team is solidified, but Abrams-Draine will compete with Riley Moss, Damarri Mathis, Tremon Smith, Levi Wallace and Ja’Quan McMillian at the cornerback position. If I had to guess who could potentially be the odd men out, it would be Mathis and Smith.

It doesn’t seem likely the Broncos would give up on Moss after being picked in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and Wallace—who they just signed earlier in the week. All and all, I really like this selection. Some of the most well-respect draft analysts like Dane Brugler, felt he was going to go a full round or two higher. I can’t complain about this pick at all!

Audric Estime’s powerhouse traits bolster Broncos’ running back stable

If you have been following my draft thoughts, I was confident that Denver would draft a running back because both Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are free agents at the end of the season. Notre Dame star Audric Estime fell to the Broncos, and they took him with the #147 overall. This is an absolute steal in my book.

Estime isn’t going to be a consistent threat to break away from defenses with speed (though he plays faster than he timed and housed it for 80-yards against NC State), but he is one of the toughest runners in this draft with a knack for bulldozing opposing defenders and scoring touchdowns. He posted some of the best yards after contact numbers out of anyone in this class. In fact, nearly 70-percent of all his rushing yards came after initial contact. That’s absolutely incredible and a testament to his strength and contact balance as a runner.

To me, he is Sean Payton’s version of Mark Ingram / Chris Ivory in this offense—an absolute hammer that will do the dirty work between the tackles, churn out first downs, and be a big-time thread inside the redzone. During the Broncos’ draft pressers, Payton emphasized how important it is for them to be better at running the ball this year. Despite posting one of the best run-blocking win rates in the league, Denver was one of the most inconsistent teams running the ball.

Estime is in the Mile High City to help change that. Oh, and he is only 20 years old, making him one of the youngest prospects in this year’s draft. The Broncos have a storied history of finding Day 3 backs who contribute and produce at a high level. Here is to hoping Estime ends up the same way. Dare I say he can compete for the starting job as a rookie? I think so—I love this selection!

The Broncos trade a 2026 sixth-round pick for New York Jets DL Jonathan Franklin-Myers

I was a bit frustrated seeing all the top-flight defensive linemen come off the board so quickly on Day 2, but the Broncos cured that feeling of despair by making an incredible move to acquire Jonathan Franklin-Myers from the Jets.

Not only are the Broncos getting a high impact player who will start on their defensive front, they also reworked his contract so it’s cap friendly. He has generated a lot of pressure, 48 quarterback hits and 14.5 sacks the past three seasons and is known for being a quality run defender. Getting a player like him for a future pick two years down the road is a smart decision. Hats off to George Paton for making this move—it helps the team out and checks a huge need off the board.

Denver finalizes draft with two selections in seventh round

The Broncos used pick #235 on Utah wide receiver DeVaughn Vele who will turn 27 years old in December. He has 4.4 speed and is an experience special teams’ player. That being said, I have a hard time believing he will make the final roster, but he has great size at 6’4 and 205 pounds. I would have preferred USC’s Tahj Washington at this spot for receiver considering he is a premier returner and was great after the catch playing the slot.

With pick #256, Denver took offensive linemen Nick Gargiulo of South Carolina, but spent his prior collegiate football years with Yale. He has experience at multiple positions, though many draft analysts feel his best fit in the pros is on the inside at center. Getting that sort of versatility in the offensive trenches is a plus late in the draft.

Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over—we wait for the UDFA news which should be coming out as quick as a Bo Nix pass!