The Post’s sports staff weighs in with grades on the Denver Broncos’ 2024 NFL draft.
Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat writer
Grade: B-
There’s no way around the fact that this draft class gets graded based on how Bo Nix pans out. It ultimately will either be an A or an F without a whole lot of grey between. In the short term, picking Nix No. 12 overall goes as a reach value-wise but also perfectly practical given the importance of the position and the fact that the next one in the draft went more than 130 picks later. The next six picks went sensibly. Troy Franklin in the fourth looks like good value and the trade-up wasn’t particularly expensive. Edge Jonah Elliss and corner Kris Abrams-Draine are classic George Paton picks. Mid-round guys at premium positions who you can see out-playing their draft positions if they stay healthy. All-in-all a productive week that hinges on Nix.
Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat writer
Grade: B
For the Broncos, it felt like fireworks didn’t start until the last day of the draft. Denver moved up to take wide receiver Troy Franklin in the fourth round and traded for Jets defensive end John Franklin Myers. Franklin has the potential to be a steal for the Broncos while Franklin-Myers will improve an inconsistent defensive line. Notre Dame running back Audric Estime didn’t have the best 40-yard dash time at the combine, but he is physical and can be a starter down the road. It’s hard to get mad about the moves Denver did on Saturday as the team improved on both sides of the ball.
Troy Renck, sports columnist
Grade: B-
This draft hinges on the success of Bo Nix. So does Sean Payton’s Hall of Fame bid. If Nix works, no one will remember he was the sixth quarterback taken. But for Nix to work, he needs help. There are two picks that could swing the evaluation of this class: receiver Troy Franklin and running back Audric Estime. If Franklin and Nix match their Oregon chemistry, the Broncos offense suddenly has a much-needed playmaker. But this offense is built to run the ball. It’s why I view Estime as the sleeper. He should form a one-two punch with Javonte Williams and serve as a hammer at the goal line for a team that struggled to score in the red zone.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist
Grade: B.
Talk about saving your best for last. The Broncos got their mitts on two potential steals in WR Troy Franklin and RB Audric Estime, landed a speedster (4.4!) in CB Kris Abrams-Draine and flipped a future sixth-rounder for Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers. When you pull at least three potential starters out of Day 3, you’ve stuck the landing. Nix was probably a reach, and Elliss lacks beef to be an every-down edge threat, but a roster with holes and questions everywhere had fewer of them as of Saturday night.
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Matt Schubert, sports editor
Grade: B
While it’s easy to argue the Broncos reached for Bo Nix at No. 12 overall, it’s just as easy to concede they didn’t have much of a choice. Denver needed a QB of the future out of this draft, and Nix could be it. The good news is Payton & Paton scored a steal scooping up his favorite college target, WR Troy Franklin, with the second pick of Day 3. If burly Notre Dame RB Audric Estime adds some life to a mediocre run game, the Broncos will have accomplished plenty this week. Still, couldn’t they draft just one left tackle? Ever?
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