Grading the Denver Broncos’ 2016 NFL Draft class

The 2017 NFL Draft is just over two months away, and while there will be much speculation about who the Broncos might select with their complement of picks, let’s take a quick look back. It was just one year ago, that the Broncos were coming off of a Super Bowl victory, but with a number of players departing, they were looking to reload their roster with an influx of young talent.

The Broncos made eight selections in last year’s draft, and while these players still have a long way to go in their development, we can take a look at how their initial season went. Here is a look at the 2016 Denver Broncos draft class, and how they did in their rookie season.

Paxton Lynch

 

The Broncos took Lynch with the 26^th overall pick, as they needed to replace both the retired Peyton Manning, and the free agent departure of Brock Osweiler. The strong-armed quarterback still has a long way to go. There is no question that he possesses some serious tools, but he may be more of a project than originally anticipated.

Forced into playing time in three different games, Lynch looked very raw and confused, while averaging less than six yards per pass. The porous offensive line didn’t help, and Gary Kubiak’s offenses have never resembled a juggernaut, so we should see improvement from Lynch under a new coaching staff.

New head coach Vance Joseph says the starting job is an open competition. Will Lynch work hard enough in the offseason to beat out Trevor Siemian?

Final grade: C

Adam Gotsis

While many draft pundits had Gotsis falling to the third or even fourth round, the Broncos liked the athletic Australian, grabbing him with their second-round pick. Coming off of a torn ACL during his senior season at Georgia Tech, he got himself ready to play by training camp, and impressed the coaching staff with his hustle.

He managed to get playing time in 14 games, but is going to need to add some bulk to hold up to the rigors of the NFL trenches. Gotsis finished the year with nine total tackles and a fumble recovery. With Vance Walker set to become a free agent, the Broncos need Gotsis to be ready to go next year.

Final grade: C-

Justin Simmons

In the third round, the Broncos grabbed the Boston College safety that had shown some heady play while in college. He did not disappoint.

Simmons racked up 30 tackles, one sack, made two interceptions, and even blocked one very important extra point. Getting to play with experienced safeties like T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart can only help his development. The future of the “No Fly Zone” looks bright with Simmons, who seems to have a nose for the football.

Final grade: A

Devontae Booker

With the injury of starting running back C.J. Anderson, the Broncos fourth round pick ended up starting six games; and at least showed some flashes of a bright future.

Booker is a hard-nosed runner that managed 612 yards behind a struggling offensive line. He also proved to be a capable receiver, catching 31 passes for 265 yards. He needs to get better in pass protection, and his four fumbles must be a point of emphasis, but he looks like a back that could be a bonafide starter in the next few years.

Final grade: B-

Connor McGovern

John Elway wanted some strength on their offensive front and McGovern has it. At 6-4 and 305 pounds, the big guard has impressed with his weightlifting ability. He set the University of Missouri squat record with five reps at 690 pounds, and since joining the Broncos he has done a clean and jerk of 385.

The only problem for the former fifth round pick, is that he didn’t get any time on the field in a game situation. The Broncos like McGovern’s flexibility to play at either guard or center, so he could still have a bright future.

Final grade: Incomplete

Andy Janovich

The Broncos are confident that the fullback they selected in the sixth round has a very bright future. Janovich can wear a number of different hats on this team, and he showed quite a few of them this season.

Before being lost for the season to an ankle injury in Week 12, Janovich played on special teams, was a solid lead blocker in the run game, caught five passes for 44 yards and had four carries for 33 yards and a touchdown. He was placed on the injured reserve list, but the Broncos have to feel like they got a steal with this pick.

Final grade: A-

Will Parks

Parks had one of the most memorable plays of the 2016 season for the Broncos, when he scooped up a blocked extra point against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10, and raced for the winning score. Sure, he may have stepped out of bounds, but that isn’t what the record books say.

Denver grabbed another safety with their second pick of the 6^th round, and the former Arizona Wildcat made an immediate impact. Parks finished the season with 22 tackles, one interception, and a fumble recovery.

The Broncos have what might be the best secondary in the NFL with Chris Harris Jr, Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart, and TJ Ward. The addition of Parks and Justin Simmons provide some depth and a glimpse at the future of the next generation of the “No Fly Zone”.

Final grade: B-

Riley Dixon

The Broncos used their final pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on a punter to replace veteran Britton Colquitt. All Dixon did was post the best net average for a first-year punter in NFL history.

Dixon punted 89 times for a 45.7-yard average. More importantly, he pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 28 different times. Those punts are a true weapon as they force opponents to go even further against the Broncos’ Orange Crush defense. Riley Dixon finished out the Broncos 2016 NFL Draft on a very strong note, serving as the valedictorian of his class.

Final grade: A+