Six of the seven rookies the Denver Broncos picked in the 2024 NFL draft have made the team’s initial 53-man roster. The only exception was offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, who was sidelined for much of training camp and preseason due to injury.
Quarterback Bo Nix, pass rusher Jonah Elliss, wide receiver Troy Franklin, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, running back Audric Estime and receiver Devaughn Vele all made the active roster.
Three undrafted free agent signees — running back Blake Watson, offensive tackle Frank Crum and linebacker Levelle Bailey — also made the squad.
“We’re encouraged by the rookie class, both the draft picks and the free agents,” Broncos general manager George Paton said during a Zoom call with reporters on Tuesday. “I think it’s nine total is what you said, we just got done. It’s a credit to our personnel departments and our sports performance with the development of these players. Obviously, time will tell as we get to the regular season, but we like the class so far.
“Jonah Elliss is everything we saw in college. [He] plays with his hair on fire and he obviously can rush the passer. He’s gotten better in the run game and he’s gotten stronger, so we like the track that he’s on. Troy Franklin, you see the talent every day. [He’s] a work in progress as a receiver, but he’s learning. You see the speed and the playmaking. We see it in practice. He’s coming on as is Audric Estime. Estime, we liked. He’s strong, he’s big, he’s powerful, he can catch and he can protect.
“Then Kris Abrams-Draine, he was probably the slowest starter in the offseason — a little behind the group. Then he’s caught up quickly as we got through camp and as we got through the games. [He got] more confidence and more playmaking ability. We feel like he’s game-ready if he has to play. [We’re] really encouraged with him.
“Then Vele is mature, as we know. [He] plays like it and plays like a pro. [We] feel like he can play in a game in Seattle if he has too. We like him as well. [With] Gargiulo, just a small sample size.”
Gargiulo figures to have a good chance to make the 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the team’s moves today on Broncos Wire.
