2017 Denver Broncos Draft Class

With the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, the Broncos will now turn their attention to the next phase of OTAs, Rookie Mini Camp, and then mandatory Mini Camp before they commence for the summer. It was a very productive draft for the Broncos, and there is a lot of reason for optimism as the Broncos head into the late spring and summer months, but before I breakdown the Broncos draft picks, there are a couple of things I would like to say about the NFL Draft in particular.

First, I love the draft and I always have been a fan of the event. Going back to when I was a kid in the 80s and watching the 1st round of draft on an April Sunday on ESPN, and I would then have to check the newspaper for the a review of who got picked in the later rounds after the broadcast went off the air. After the event was switched to a Saturday and Sunday afternoon setup, the draft exploded into a mega event on the NFL calendar and I loved it even more. It became a must watch for any NFL fan. In 2010, they switched the format to the current setup: Round 1 Thursday night, Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night, and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday afternoon. It really bothers me that they moved it to this format. I hate the idea of only Round 1 on one night, and it takes away from the idea of Draft parties and that afternoon "feel" that football fans love. I would love, but I know they won't, for the NFL to go back to that format and scrap the current one.

Next, do we need the NFL to have former players on each team announce each pick on Day 2? Even more egregious is the idea that the NFL announces a lot of picks on Day 3 from other locations like a mountain side, a zoo, outer space, and a golf course amongst others. What a disaster that is. Who the hell thought this was a good idea? It makes the later rounds of the draft seem like a joke. If the NFL makes one change in any aspect of their product, I pray to God that they will just simply announce the picks in a normal fashion next year. Anyway, here is my breakdown of the 2017 Denver Broncos Draft Class....

Round 1 (Pick #20): Garret Bolles, Tackle, Utah
-The Broncos needed a Left Tackle, and they stayed put at 20 and let arguably the best tackle in the draft come to them. I know there could be an adjustment for Bolles in his first year and tackles are not a given in the 1st round as they were a decade ago, but this looks like the best move the Broncos could have made given where they were picking. Let's hope Bolles produces a solid pick just like Ryan Clady did back in 2008.

Round 2 (Pick #51): DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State
-There is a gaping hole at DE along the Broncos front seven, and Walker could be a guy that helps fill that role. He will likely play a rotational role this year, but I really like Walker, and I remember seeing him standout a lot in his time at FSU. You can't go wrong with more pass rushers, and I think Walker can even play inside on 3rd down situations. I really like this pick by John Elway.

Round 3 (Pick #82): Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
-Henderson brings a speed dimension to the Broncos that desperately need at the skill positions. The Broncos need another weapon to add to the Demaryius Thomas-Emmanuel Sanders combo, and Henderson could be just what they need. The speedster could help stretch the field and he can even return kicks, which is something that Denver hasn't had since Trindon Holliday in 2013.

Round 3 (Pick #101): Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar
-Langley is a big, tall CB who actually transferred to Lamar from Georgia. Most likely, Langley will be added the Broncos 4th or 5th cornerback and add depth to the group and contribute on special teams-like Kayvon Webster- his first year while he learns from the best secondary in the NFL.

Round 5 (Pick #145): Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
-This might be the most intriguing pick of the draft for the Broncos. Butt was a top TE talent until he tore is ACL in the Orange Bowl. He falls all the way to the Broncos in the 5th round, and if anything the Broncos now have a very talented TE who might be ready to contribute in 2018. As for 2017, it sounds like his rehab is ahead of schedule, and maybe they can put him on the PUP list to start the year, and he wouldn't have to return until October. In any event, if the Broncos get anything from Butt this year, than that is a plus, but going forward this could be a great value pick and a guy that can come in and help a very underwhelming group of tight ends on the roster.

Round 5 (Pick #172): Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia
-McKenzie is another speedster who can return punts and kicks. He will be in the mix with a crowded group of WRs on the roster, so look for him to be a practice squad candidate if he doesn't stick as a returner right away.

Round 6 (Pick #203): De'Angelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina
-The Broncos traded away Kapri Bibbs on Day 3 of the draft to the 49ers, so there is an opening in the Broncos backfield. Henderson is a speed back, and maybe he can fill the void that was left after the Broncos mistakenly let Ronnie Hillman right before the 2016 season. If Henderson doesn't make the team in camp, then he looks like a practice squad candidate.

Round 7 (Pick #253): Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
-The Broncos selected Kelly as Mr. Irrelevant with the last pick in the entire draft. Kelly comes with a lot of baggage. He wasn't invited to the combine and he had a lot of character concerns in his college career. Some experts feel there is a tremendous amount of potential in him, but I just remember a very overrated QB when I watched him at Ole Miss. In any event, it can't hurt to take a flier on a guy like him with the last pick of the entire draft. If Kelly shows he can play, then he sticks on the practice squad. If he doesn't look very good in camp, then he will be cut loose.