And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Denver Broncos. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
- NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
- Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
- NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
- Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
- Latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: Denver Broncos
NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades
Denver Broncos | Draft Grade: B
| Pick | Team | Position | Rank | Name | School | Comp |
| 63 | Broncos | WR5 | 48 | Marvin Mims | Oklahoma | Santonio Holmes |
| 67 | Broncos | LB2 | 41 | Drew Sanders | Arkansas | Anthony Barr |
| 83 | Broncos | CB12 | 75 | Riley Moss | Iowa | Coby Bryant |
| 183 | Broncos | S9 | 118 | JL Skinner | Boise State | Jayron Kearse |
| 257 | Broncos | OL27 | 301 | Alex Forsyth | Oregon | Luke Fortner |
The Broncos came into Draft Weekend with no first-round pick and very little equity. But they made up for lost time on Friday night, with a slick two-step at Nos. 63 and 67, taking WR Marvin Mims and LB Drew Sanders. Both were top-50 on my board. I expect each to start as rookies.
Mims, Texas’ all-time high school career leader in receiving yards, is a proven downfield assassin with a long catalog of circus catches. He can absolutely be a standout NFL boundary receiver.
CB Riley Moss was another strong value. Moss is a great athlete who had a sensational career. We know he’ll succeed in zone coverage.
Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades
Denver made their first pick in the Sean Payton era with Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims. At an initial glance, I did not like this pick at all. With so little draft capital to work with and players like Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton already on the roster, why go with a WR? But under a new regime, there is no telling what incumbents are in the Broncos’ long-term plans. So WR could become more of a pressing need. And at least, Mims (who I liked a lot pre-draft) can fill the deep threat role vacated by the often-injured K.J. Hamler. I can’t knock Denver for selecting Mims, especially if he emerges as Russell Wilson‘s new favorite moonball target.
And besides, Denver addressed their team “needs” with their very next pick. Linebacker Drew Sanders fell all the way to Round 3, with rumors swirling that his interviews went poorly. But he’s the exact hybrid linebacker/pass rusher that Denver needed to add. He finished 4th in pressures among LBs in the FBS last season.
Denver traded a 2024 third-rounder to move up from 108 to the 83rd pick to select CB Riley Moss. Somebody needs to tell Denver to stop making trades with the Seahawks because they gave up a decent chuck of value to move up for a cornerback, which isn’t exactly a pressing need for the defense. Not to say that Moss is a bad prospect, but the value was subpar. He’ll have to show out for the Broncos for them to “win” the pick. When targeted last season, Moss generated the 5th-lowest EPA per target and the 12th-highest PFF coverage grade in the 2023 cornerback class. And per Sports Info Solutions, no cornerback generated more total points per game in press coverage than Moss.
Denver also traded away the 196th pick in this draft to New Orleans to acquire tight end, Adam Trautman. Just one of many former Saints (Marquez Callaway, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Tony Jones Jr.) to call Denver home in 2023
FINAL DRAFT GRADE: C+
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