The Denver Broncos made their first draft selections of 2023 during the second and third rounds on Friday evening. Who are the newest Broncos joining the team with Sean Payton this upcoming season?

Denver Broncos draft Marvin Mims and with the 63rd and 67th overall picks

On Friday night, the Denver Broncos found themselves on the clock at the end of the second round at 63rd overall with various options. After trading with the Detroit Lions to move up, Denver received picks 63 and 183 while swapping picks 68 and 138 with Detroit.

With the 63rd overall pick, the Broncos selected Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims.

During his time at Oklahoma, Mims accounted for 123 total receptions for 2398 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Last season at Oklahoma, Mims hauled in 54 receptions for 1083 yards and six touchdowns while averaging nearly 20.1 yards per reception. His projected fit inside of Sean Payton’s offense appears to impact speedster KJ Hamler, who recently had surgery on a partially torn pectoral muscle, and Montrell Washington.

While Hamler is expected to be ready for the start of camp, Payton makes his mark by adding a legitimate 4.3 speed option who has consistently found ways to create separation against opposing defenses throughout the course of his career at Oklahoma.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Mims told reporters on a conference call after being drafted. “Just to be out there in Denver, the tradition, the atmosphere, all that great stuff is something that is known all around. An opportunity for me to just show what I can do for the whole league to the whole world. I’m bringing to the table, being a great teammate. However I can fit the offense, I’m going to do my best every single day in and out.”

The Broncos newest addition at receiver noted that he is comfortable playing inside or outside at the position.

“I’m extremely comfortable,” Mims said. “I played through two different offensive coordinators in [USC head coach] Lincoln Riley and Jeff Lebby in college. Played 50/50 in both of those offenses as far as inside and outside — had to learn both three years in my career. Not easy at all, but something I’m definitely comfortable with, something that I’ve done in the past — and be ready if that’s what Denver asks of me.”

He’ll be the newest weapon to add to the receiver room for Russell Wilson — joining Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Hamler, Tim Patrick, Marquez Callaway, Kendall Hinton, Jalen Virgil, Brandon Johnson, Montrell Washington, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

Mims reunites with former Sooners Nik Bonitto and Delarrin Turner-Yell.

With the 67th overall pick, the Broncos went with Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders.

In 2022, Sanders had 103 tackles with 13.5 of them accounting for a loss behind the line of scrimmage. He also sacked opposing quarterbacks 9.5 times last season while reeling in one interception.

With Josey Jewell and Justin Strnad playing in the final year of their contracts in 2023, the Broncos looked into a potential option who could play a big role on special teams and find himself in a potential rotational role defensively with Vance Joseph.

Broncos trade up for an additional third round pick
George Paton and the Broncos found themselves back on the clock with the 83rd-overall pick. Denver acquired the pick from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the 108th overall pick and a 2024 3rd-round pick.

With the 83rd overall pick, Denver selected Iowa defensive back Riley Moss. In 2022, Moss was a 1st-Team All-Big 10 selection after starting and playing in 13 games.

He tallied 47 tackles, one interception while having 11 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

The Moss pick is interesting considering it was a trade-up — where Moss was projected as fourth or fifth-round selection by many national draft analysts.

In a conference call with reporters, Moss relayed that he had met with the Broncos informally, at the combine, at the senior bowl, and for a top 30 visit last week.

Whether it’s playing inside the nickel on the outside or even at safety, Moss believes his physicality and high football IQ will help him transition into the NFL.

“Playing in the Big-10, you have to be a physical DB,” Moss said. “You’ve got to come up and make tackles, but I think I’m a physical player, I’m instinctive and I’m just a ball player all around. I’m excited that the Broncos gave me an opportunity.”

Moss expressed his excitement about being able to play with Patrick Surtain and Justin Simmons and various other experienced defensive backs.

“They make plays, alright,” Moss raved. “I think that’s the coolest part. The biggest thing I think that’s important to me is being able to learn from these guys who have been in the league and understand why they do the things they do, and their technique. Learn everything I can from these guys, and I’m excited to get in that room and meet all of these guys.”

The Denver Broncos concluded Day 2 of the NFL Draft with two trade-ups in Sean Payton and George Paton’s first draft together.