Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Broncos added six players (five via picks and one via trade) during the NFL draft.
The Denver Broncos ended up with five picks in the 2023 NFL draft, along with a new tight end acquired in a trade. Broncos Country, meet the newest members of the team!
That’s a wrap on the 2023 NFL draft! Here’s a look at the Broncos’ picks.
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton have completed their first draft together, adding five players to the roster this weekend.
The Broncos entered the draft with five picks and after making several trades came away with five players. Here’s a look at the team’s picks from the 2023 NFL draft.
Broncos draft results:
Round 2: No. 63 overall: WR Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
Round 3: No. 67 overall: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Round 3: No. 83 overall: CB Riley Moss, Iowa
Round 6: No. 183 overall: DB JL Skinner, Boise State
Round 7: No. 257 overall: C Alex Forsyth, Oregon
Trade: Tight end Adam Trautman via Saints
Denver did not have first- or second-round picks going into this year’s draft after trades for quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Sean Payton (they then traded into the second round on Friday). Barring another trade, the Broncos will have a first-round pick in 2024 for the first time since 2021.
After using their draft picks, Denver has room to sign 13 undrafted free agents to fill out the 90-man offseason roster. We are tracking all of the team’s UDFA signings on Broncos Wire.
[vertical-gallery id=620142]
The Minnesota Vikings currently own one pick on day two, but there are plenty of prospects that are great fits writes @TheKevinFielder.
After selecting USC wide receiver Jordan Addison with the 23rd overall pick in the first round, the Minnesota Vikings will have to wait a while to get back on the clock.
Following the trade for TJ Hockenson at the deadline, the Vikings do not hold a second-round pick and will not select again until the 87th overall pick in the third round.
For those keeping track at home, that’s 55 picks from the first pick in the second round.
However, this year’s NFL Draft has proven anything can happen when a team gets on the clock. As a result, let’s look at some of the best-remaining fits for the Vikings on the board, including some players who could be available at the 87th overall pick.
More thoughts on some of Washington’s 2022 NFL draft class.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Jahan Dotson (Rd 1, 16): Dotson must have an unbelievable “catch radius” because that was the buzz phrase from the Commanders brass. And the trade back from No. 11 to No. 16 was certainly maximized by Washington. The Commanders are banking on Chris Olave not being that much better than Dotson, and they also picked up Brian Robinson and Sam Howell with picks traded to them during the draft. They had needs and thus needed to trade back, so I am glad they did trade back.
Brian Robinson Jr. (Rd 3, 98): Robinson is not the receiver J D McKissic is out of the backfield. Yet, it is also true that McKissic is not the insider runner that Robinson is. McKissic is coming off of a neck injury and Antonio Gibson did have fumble problems last season. Robinson might become an interesting short-yardage asset and is certainly a more powerful runner than Jaret Patterson or Jonathan Williams displayed in 2021.
Phidarian Mathis (Rd 2, 47): Mathis might be a better run defender than Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. Thus he might actually provide what those two defensive tackles did not. Yet, the other side of the coin looks (at least for now) to also be just as true. Settle and Ioannidis both were more mobile against the wide runs and providing pass rush. Mathis is known to be good at occupying blockers, which would help the middle linebacker in particular.
Remember how Aaron Rodgers was upset that Green Bay did not contact Rodgers, preparing him for their late first-round choice of Jordan Love? The Commanders must have learned from that as well, because Saturday they contacted Wentz, informing him of their intention to draft UNC QB Sam Howell in the fifth round (144).
With Coach Ron saying this next season is going to be a good step up for Washington, did you notice in this draft the Commanders chose only one underclassman? And that guy was Howell, whom they would rather not have to play in 2022. They upgraded at starter with the trade for Wentz and they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to perhaps draft for the future as well, at the game’s most significant position.
The Washington Commanders selected Oklahoma State cornerback Christian Holmes with the No. 240 overall pick.
The Washington Commanders selected Oklahoma State cornerback Christian Holmes with the No. 240 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
Holmes is a 6-foot-0, 205-pound defensive back who finished his career at Oklahoma State after starting his career at Missouri. Holmes finished his final season with 39 tackles, one sack, one interception and six passes defended.
Holmes is a good athlete, finishing with an impressive Relative Athletic Score and can help on special teams. Holmes will compete for a role in Washington’s secondary, which is in need of cornerback depth.
The Commanders lost cornerbacks Darryl Roberts and Torry McTyer from last season’s roster, so there is an opportunity for Holmes.
Holmes is another older prospect, which appeared to be a theme for some of Washington’s picks in the 2022 draft.
Christian Holmes is a CB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.06 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 181 out of 1923 CB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/v2ffAJ8aGK #RAS pic.twitter.com/VM0VjJcZhi
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 1, 2022
The Washington Commanders selected Tulsa guard Chris Paul with the No. 230 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
The Washington Commanders selected Tulsa guard Chris Paul with the No. 230 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
Paul is the first offensive lineman selected by Washington in the 2022 draft. A four-year starter at Tulsa, Paul started in 38 of the 42 games he played for the Golden Hurricane. Paul started 18 games at right tackle, 12 games at left guard and eight games at right guard.
At 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, Paul is the ideal pick in the seventh round. He can play multiple positions along the offensive line, which is an important trait for head coach Ron Rivera. Paul’s NFL future will be at guard.
Chris Paul is coming to Washington 💪 #HTTC | @MGMNatlHarbor pic.twitter.com/LNsuy1Q0Li
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 30, 2022
In Washington, Paul will play for one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL in John Matsko. There is no pressure on Paul to start as a rookie with Wes Schweitzer and Andrew Norwell expected to start at guard for Washington.
Cole Turner is an intriguing fifth-round selection for the Commanders.
With Logan Thomas rehabbing a torn ACL, the Washington Commanders selected Cole Turner with the 149th pick in Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Turner, out of Nevada, met with Washington for a private workout recently, along with Nevada quarterback Carson Strong. Turner was actually a wide receiver then transitioned to tight end.
Anyone watching Carson Wentz while a Philadelphia Eagle, recalls Wentz loved to throw to his tight ends. Turner brings a big target to the Washington offense measuring 6-foot-6 and 246 pounds.
He only ran a 4.76 40 yard dash. Yet, Turner does seem to be a natural pass-catching tight end on film and could become productive in the red zone for the Commanders. During his senior season at Nevada, Turner collected 62 receptions for 677 yards and 10 touchdown receptions.
When looking at the film of Turner running routes and catching passes, older Washington fans may be reminded of former Washington TE Clint Didier. Didier was 6-foot-5, 240 pounds and in his six seasons as a Redskin, caught 129 passes for 1,815 yards and 19 touchdown receptions, averaging 14.1 yards per reception.
Washington was selecting No. 149 because they had traded No. 120 to Carolina for the No. 144 and 149 selections. With 144, the Commanders took UNC QB Sam Howell and then Turner at 149.
The Washington Commanders selected Nevada tight end Cole Turner with the No. 149 overall selection.
The Washington Commanders selected Nevada tight end Cole Turner with the No. 149 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
Washington held a private workout for Turner and Nevada quarterback Carson Strong in Nevada. The Commanders selected North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell five picks before Turner, so Strong is off the table for Washington.
The Commanders entered the draft looking to add a tight end and the 6-foot-6, 249-pound Turner caught 62 passes for 677 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. In Turner’s first season as a starter in 2020, he caught 49 passes for 605 yards and nine touchdowns.
Washington adds a fourth tight end to the roster to join Logan Thomas, John Bates and Sammis Reyes. Thomas is coming off a knee injury but should be ready at some point in the 2022 season. Bates was a fourth-round selection last season and played well. Reyes is a developmental prospect.
Washington selects UNC QB Sam Howell in the 2022 NFL draft.
[mm-video type=video id=01g1xtah5dz7mynppvy9 playlist_id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g1xtah5dz7mynppvy9/01g1xtah5dz7mynppvy9-e64833686a28529ad8503aeeaae22191.jpg]
The Washington Commanders selected North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell with the No. 144 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
Howell was expected to go somewhere in the first two rounds, but Howell fell to day three, and the value proved too much for Washington. Head coach Ron Rivera said the Commanders would add a third quarterback, and Howell joins Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke on Washington’s roster.
Howell joins former Tar Heels Cole Holcomb and Dyami Brown on Washington’s roster. Brown had two 1,00-yard seasons with Howell as his quarterback.
As a three-year starter at UNC, Howell was an All-ACC player who was outstanding in his first two seasons but struggled in 2021. Howell’s struggles coincide with losing his top two running backs and top three wide receivers (including Brown).
Howell is a tremendous value for Washington.
The Saints took care of business in the first round of the NFL draft. They can keep the momentum going in Day 2 with these top prospects at position of need, via @RossJacksonNOLA:
After checking off wide receiver and left tackle, the New Orleans Saints have done a great job immediately addressing their need in the the 2022 NFL draft. Now, they have only one Day 2 selection, sitting at No. 49 after trading away their fourth round selection as a part of the package to move up for Ohio State wideout Chris Olave.
The Saints could take a moment at focus on defense, add another pass catcher, or potentially look at quarterback after only one was selected in the first round. As we examine the Saints’ remaining needs, here are the top prospects remaining from our own Dylan Sanders and his top-100 big board.
