Broncos general manager John Elway has a good history of signing undrafted free agent gems. His list of successful UDFA signings includes cornerback Chris Harris, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and running backs C.J. Anderson and Phillip Lindsay.
This year, Elway might have landed another gem.
After the draft ended, Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield published a list of the best undrafted free agents available. Wake Forest cornerback Essang Bassey (5-9, 191 pounds) was among the prospects Schofield thought should have been drafted. Bassey agreed to terms with Denver on Saturday.
“He moves well, is confident in zone coverage and keys on the eyes of the quarterback at a high level,” Schofield wrote of the undrafted cornerback. “Bassey tested well at the Combine, with a 6.95-second three-cone drill which might bode well for a move inside to the slot.”
During his final three seasons at Wake Forest, Bassey broke up 35 passes, the most of any defensive back in college football during that timeframe. Before the draft, NFL.com predicted that Bassey would be a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick so it’s clear that he was a valued UDFA.
We are tracking all of the Broncos’ undrafted free agent signings here.
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