ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Following the NFL's Week 18 slate of games, the Broncos have earned the ninth-overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Broncos were one of four teams to finish the season with a 7-10 record, along with Washington, Atlanta and Seattle. The Broncos' strength of schedule was second lowest among that group, behind Atlanta, which gives them the second-highest pick of the four.
Denver has made the ninth-overall pick twice. In 1973, the Broncos selected running back Otis Armstrong, and he made two Pro Bowls in eight seasons. A season ago, Denver drafted cornerback Pat Surtain II at No. 9. Surtain became a starter in just Week 2 and held that role until calf injuries sidelined him for the final game. Surtain finished the year with four interceptions and is a first alternate for the Pro Bowl.
Other former ninth-overall picks include Tyron Smith, Luke Kuechly and Brian Urlacher.
Four of Denver's 2021 opponents are slated to pick ahead of them, as the Jaguars, Jets, Texans and Panthers will have four of the top six picks.
