Denver Broncos: Mid-season 2016 Draft Grades
Typically the first two rounds of the draft are where you find immediate contributors, but for the Broncos it’s been the later picks that have produced.
The Denver Broncos hope they added their quarterback of the future in this years draft, but they have also landed more talent across the board. In this years draft the Broncos found more than just depth as seven of their eight draft picks have seen the field already.
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Coming off a Super Bowl victory there weren’t many holes to fill. However John Elway, Gary Kubiak, and the rest of the front office managed to bring in a very talented class of rookies who have been key to the 6-2 start.
It will take a few years to determine the final grades of any draft class, but we will look into the level of play through their first eight games.
Here is the Broncos 2016 draft class…
Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
First Round: QB Paxton Lynch
Grade: B-
The plan from the day of the draft was to allow Lynch to sit and develop in his first year, but after an injury to Trevor Siemian he saw action early in the season. Although Lynch struggled in his first start against the Atlanta Falcons, the grade is based off flashes of the potential he possesses. Lynch shows an immense amount of athleticism that allows him to scramble out of the pocket and make plays on the move. He also has a very strong arm that allows him to make all the throws.
Lynch entered the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter and showed flashes of brilliance. The coaching staff trusted in Lynch to allow him to run the two minute offense resulting in a field goal. He continued that momentum leading to his first career touchdown and a 27-7 victory in his first appearance.
Where Lynch has struggled early in his career is grasping the playbook and getting the ball out of his hand quickly. These are both qualities that many young quarterbacks have issues with and over time he should be able to correct.
Lynch barring another injury shouldn’t see much more action this season, but the future seems bright for the young quarterback.
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Round Two: DE Adam Gotsis
Grade: C-
If there is any area of criticism of Elway in his tenure as General Manager it will be from his second round choices. Defensive lineman Adam Gotsis continues with the second round questions. When Gotsis was drafted out of Georgia Tech it was presumed he would be a project and so far that’s what he has looked like. So far he has only accounted for four tackles and hasn’t made his impression known.
The reason for the low grade isn’t based off of the belief he will be a bust, but more of the fact that second round picks are typically expected to play a big role in their rookie year. It is unknown if the ACL injury suffered last year has prevented his progression, but we won’t be able to see his progression until at least next off-season.
Gotsis will continue to see sparing time in his rookie year, however players like Jared Crick and Billy Winn at this point are better players.
Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA;. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Round Three: S Justin Simmons
Grade: B+
The Broncos have two very talented safeties in T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart, that didn’t stop them for adding two more. The first being Justin Simmons out of Boston College. The rookie safety has seen his fare share of the field early into his career, he comes in during the sub packages which allows Ward to move around the line of scrimmage.
Simmons is a very intelligent safety with range. His versatility allows him to play extended time. Simmons best game came against the Colts where he racked up four tackles. Another big play came this past weekend against the Chargers where quarterback Phillip Rivers stepped out of the pocket only to be met by Simmons for his first career sack.
Simmons will continue to see the field on defense and special teams. The tackles will continue to flow and look for Simmons to show his play-making abilities and forcing a few turnovers in the second half of the season.
Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts nose tackle David Parry (54) attempts to tackle Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Round Four: RB Devontae Booker
Grade: B
Booker didn’t make the greatest first impression fumbling on his first career carry. However, Booker has settled in an averaged 4.3 yards per carry. Through the first six weeks of the season Booker received 34 carries, but over the last two weeks he has seen a bigger role getting 36 carries.
With running back C.J. Anderson on the injured reserve Booker will continue to be the guy in the backfield. Since being rewarded with more carries Booker has managed two find the endzone for his first touchdowns of his career. He has displayed good vision in finding the hole, but needs to show the explosion as he currently has zero runs over 20 yards.
Booker will see the majority of the carries for the remainder of the season and if all goes well should see a season that ends around 1,000 yards.
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri offensive lineman Connor Mcgovern speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Round Five: OG Connor McGovern
Grade: N/A
The one player in the draft class that has yet to see the field is Connor McGovern. The powerful lineman who can squat nearly 700 pounds secured one of the final roster spots for Denver.
Barring injury McGovern will be inactive for the season.
Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) . Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Round Six: FB Andy Janovich
Grade: A
Fullbacks are very rare in today’s pass happy game, but the Broncos chose Andy Janovich in the sixth round to highlight their balanced offense. Janovich has not only opened up holes for the running backs but he accounted for the first touchdown of the season. In the season opener against the Panthers Janovich took his first career carry on a third and one 28 yards for a touchdown.
Janovich is quickly becoming a fan favorite among the Broncos faithful. The only issue that Janovich has faced early in his career is not being on the field enough. In the games where he has been utilized the most have been the games where the run has been most successful. Even though his strength has been in the run game, Janovich has also caught three passes for a 12 yard average.
His success won’t be seen much through the stat sheet, but for the remainder of the year he will be a key component of the Denver offense.
Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Will Parks (34) Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Round Six: S Will Parks
Grade: B+
An early candidate for a draft steal is safety Will Parks. Parks has seen a lot of playing time through special teams and defense like his fellow rookie Justin Simmons. So far Parks has compiled 10 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Simmons missed a couple of games allowing Parks to see action in the sub package.
Parks plays with energy and a mean streak that allows him to constantly be around the play. His interception came against the Bengals which essentially sealed up the win. The play of Parks and Simmons gave the Broncos coaching staff enough confidence to cut safety Shiloh Keo a key player in last years playoff run.
Expect to see Parks continue to see time on the defense and continue to be around the ball, which can lead to a few more turnovers on the stat sheet.
Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; punter Riley Dixon (9) Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Round Seven: P Riley Dixon
Grade: B
Any time you can find a starter in the seventh round it’s a good selection even if it’s a punter. Dixon showed enough in the pre-season for the Broncos to cut long time punter Britton Colquitt. Dixon in the regular season has seen an up and down performance. Even with the growing pains, Dixon has showed promise.
He had his defining moment this week against the Chargers. Punting out of the endzone Dixon blasted a 68 yard punt to back up the chargers offense. It is rare that a punt is the play of the game, but Dixon may have accomplished the feat.
Hopefully, the key punt will boost his confidence and allow for more consistent play for the young punter.
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