Running back was one of the Broncos' biggest needs after C.J. Anderson was released, and there weren't many guys available at 71. Royce Freeman isn't a big factor in the passing game, but he was the best back left on my board. He had 60 rushing touchdowns at Oregon and packs short-yardage punch at 230 pounds. John Elway & Co. took two receivers to help out new quarterback Case Keenum. Courtland Sutton (pick 40) is a big, raw target. McShay called him a "finesse" receiver, and I agree. You want to see him use his frame better to block off cornerbacks. DaeSean Hamilton (pick 113) impressed me at Senior Bowl practices and tested better at the combine than I expected. Possible steal.
John Elway understands what a perplexingly large number of fans and media do not: Denver's Super Bowl window is still open.
They landed the best edge rusher in the draft by taking Bradley Chubb with the fifth pick in the first round. He will be an immediate force off the edge opposite Von Miller. I wasn't as high as some on second-round receiver Courtland Sutton, but I do like the pick of fourth-round receiver DaeSean Hamilton. He runs great routes. I also liked the pick of fourth round of Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell. He will be a special-teams force right away.
*Chubb was the best value on the board for this team. Putting him and Von Miller on the same defense makes them dangerous again, like when DeMarcus Ware and Miller were doing their thing. Case Keenum's two-year deal took QB out of the equation here, and Paxton Lynch still has an opportunity to grow into a starter. Sutton's going to be a playmaker at the next level because of his quick feet and size. *
*Day 2 brought incredible value to the Broncos. They added a Demaryius Thomas clone in Courtland Sutton, a starting running back in the athletic and productive Royce Freeman and defensive back depth in Isaac Yiadom. It's possible their first five picks will earn starting jobs this year.
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The Broncos, thought to be in the QB market, reacted appropriately when Bradley Chubb fell to them at No. 5 overall. Pairing Chubb with Von Miller as a pass-rushing dynamic duo could move the Denver defense back toward dominant. Second-round WR Courtland Sutton and the two third-rounders, RB Royce Freeman and CB Isaac Yiadom, are capable of being solid contributors. The Broncos are left without a prized rookie QB to take over if Case Keenum falters, but the team around Keenum has been improved.
*Getting Bradley Chubb and to go along with Von Miller sets Denver up with one of the best pass rush pairs in the NFL. It was a surprise that Chubb was still available at fifth overall. He's a player who is just as good against the run as he is rushing the passer. Maybe more importantly, he can keep some double teams off Miller. *
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