Why All Seven Broncos Draft Picks Should Make the 53

Broncos Country is buzzing with opinions. Some fans think Caleb Lohner is suddenly TE3 because Sean Payton said one nice thing. Others believe Evan Engram might get cut. Some say only four or five rookies will make the roster. Others think undrafted free agents (UDFAs) will replace draft picks. And many worry the roster is too crowded for all seven rookies to stick.

They’re missing the bigger picture.

This roster is almost perfect — and the seven draft picks are part of that perfection, not obstacles to it. Here’s why every single one of them should make the 53.

The Draft Picks Fit the Roster Like a Glove

The Broncos’ roster is young, fast, versatile, intelligent, deep, and modern. The draft class fits that identity perfectly. These rookies aren’t fighting for scraps. They’re filling planned roles. The UDFAs don’t replace draft picks — they replace veterans.

Let’s break down each pick and why they belong.

Tyler Onyedim Brings a Disruptive Edge Inside

Tyler Onyedim is a rare find. He brings something Denver hasn’t had since Shelby Harris: leverage mastery, violent hands, and a disruptive interior presence. He’s not being handed a job over Sai’vion Jones or Eyioma Uwazurike. The staff still hopes both take a step. But Onyedim is absolutely in the mix to leapfrog them if he shows the same tenacity in camp that he showed on tape.

He doesn’t need to be DT3 today. He just needs to be too good to stash. And he will be.

Jonah Coleman Is the Most Complete RB Since Kamara

Jonah Coleman is RB3, and that’s exactly where he belongs right now. But he has RB1 vision, RB1 balance, RB1 contact strength, RB1 pass protection, and RB1 upside. He’s the most complete back Sean Payton has drafted since Alvin Kamara.

Here’s the part that matters most: Coleman is the reason Denver can finally carry only three running backs with zero hesitation. For the first time in years, the Broncos don’t need a pass-pro specialist, a short-yardage hammer, a gadget back, or a developmental back. Coleman does all of it.

His versatility frees up a roster spot at another offensive position where Denver may need to carry an extra player. He’s RB3 with future RB1 potential — and a structural piece of the 53.

Kage Casey Is the Swiss-Army-Knife Offensive Lineman

Kage Casey is absolutely making this roster, but not as OT3. Payton trusts veterans first, so he’s not jumping Palczewski or Crum, and he’s not immediately ahead of Forsyth or Garguilo.

But Casey can play four positions. He’s a legitimate candidate to be the backup center. He’s assignment-sound, technically refined, mentally tough, and fits the exact “utility knife OL” role Payton always carries.

He’s not OT3, OG3, or C2 yet. He’s the Swiss-army-knife lineman every Payton roster needs — and that role is a lock.

Justin Joly Is TE3 and Trautman Insurance

Justin Joly is TE3 at worst, no matter how many compliments Payton gives Caleb Lohner in May. Joly is a better mover, a better separator, a better coverage reader, a better mismatch piece, and a better long-term fit.

He’s Trautman insurance and a player you don’t expose to waivers. He’s making this team.

Miles Scott Fits Perfectly as S5

The safety room is set at the top with Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Devon Key is S3 and isn’t going anywhere — he’s an All-Pro gunner. JL Skinner is S4 because of his special teams value.

Miles Scott isn’t replacing any of them. He’s replacing the bottom of the room. He brings range, ball skills, corner/safety flexibility, and special teams value.

In a nickel-heavy league, S5 is a real role, and Scott fits it cleanly.

Dallen Bentley Fills a Unique Role as Heavy TE

Dallen Bentley fills a role nobody else on the roster fills. He’s the heavy TE, the extra offensive lineman, the red-zone blocker, the short-yardage hammer.

He’s not competing with Engram or Joly. He’s competing with Nate Adkins, and he’s better at the role. You don’t cut your only heavy TE.

Red Murdock Is a Takeaway Machine and Future Starter

Red Murdock is the easiest call of the seven. He’s violent, instinctive, a takeaway machine, a special teams demon, and a future starter.

He’s ILB4 with real defensive upside. You don’t cut linebackers who take the ball away.

The Roster Is Built for These Rookies

The real reason all seven make the 53 is simple: the roster is built for them. This team is young, fast, versatile, intelligent, deep, and modern. The draft class fits that identity perfectly.

The UDFAs don’t replace draft picks — they replace veterans. The draft picks aren’t fighting for scraps. They’re filling planned roles.

This is why the roster feels almost perfect: because the draft class wasn’t random. It was designed to complete the roster.

Looking Beyond the Draft Picks

If you think the draft class is impressive, wait until you look at the UDFA room. The undrafted players are not here to push out rookies. They are here to push out veterans who no longer fit the team’s vision.

This approach shows a clear strategy: build a roster that is young, hungry, and versatile. The Broncos are not just drafting players to fill spots. They are drafting players to build a team that can compete now and grow into the future.

Close-up view of a Broncos helmet resting on the turf before a game

The seven draft picks are not just hopefuls. They are essential pieces of a roster built to win. Each one fills a specific role that the Broncos need. Cutting any of them would weaken the team’s structure and limit its potential.

This is why every single one of them should make the 53.

For fans looking to stay ahead of the curve, keeping an eye on how these rookies develop through training camp and preseason will be key. The Broncos’ future is bright, and these seven draft picks are the foundation.

Note: This analysis is based on current roster construction and player evaluations as of the 2024 preseason.