Morgan Epstein grades the Denver Broncos 2016 NFL Draft. Does Denver have a bright future after drafting Paxton Lynch with the twenty sixth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?
26. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis B Grade
I gave the Rams a B+ grade for taking Jared Goff with the start pick because they gave up way too much for him even though he's starting right away. I gave the Eagles a B grade for taking Carson Wentz and trading a future first round pick for a third string quarterback. The least I can do is give Denver a B grade for drafting a solid quarterback for the future that's probably an upgrade over Mark Sanchez.
63. Adam Gotsis, 3-4 RE, Georgia Tech D Grade
Adam Gotsis is an undersized, third string, 3-4 right end. If they took him in the third round I may give this a C grade, but this pick clearly warranted an F grade. Denver made much better picks after this though.
98. Justin Simmons, FS, Boston College C Grade
Boston College free safety Justin Simmons has the versatility to play anywhere on the secondary. He's a third string free safety on the depth chart which tells me he's not ready to step up if Darian Stewart becomes a Free Agent. That's why this pick got a C grade.
136. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah C+ Grade
Devontae Booker will begin as a third string running back behind C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. If Hillman continues to drop passes Booker could take his job as the backup running back. Many considered Booker a top three running back in the 2016 NFL Draft behind Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry so this is a great pick.
144. Connor McGovern, LG, Missouri D Grade
Connor McGovern has the versatility to play left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, or right tackle on the offensive line. My biggest issue with him is he's a third string offensive linemen on Denver's depth chart.
176. Andy Janovich, FB, Nebraska A Grade
Andy Janovich is gonna start at fullback right away. This was Denver's best pick in my honest opinion.
219. Will Parks, SS, Arizona D Grade
Like Justin Simmons, Will Parks has the versatility to play cornerback, strong safety, or free safety. He may be a third string strong safety on Denver's depth chart, but that versatility earns Parks a D grade.
228. Riley Dixon, P, Syracuse B Grade
Riley Dixon is the backup punter on Denver's depth chart. Many considered him the top punter in the entire 2016 NFL Draft so I will give this pick a B grade..
Denver Broncos Team Grade: C Grade
Denver had a solid draft. Their draft wasn't as great as people made it out to be, but it wasn't a terrible draft where they got multiple F grades. I gave Denver one F grade in the second round and really liked the value they got even though there were some questionable third stringers the team selected.
Click the links for access to your favorite NFL Teams.