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NFL Draft Grades: Grading the Broncos 2024 Draft Class

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NFL Draft Grades: Grading the Broncos 2024 Draft Class


The Denver Broncos have put together quite a sneaky good draft class and despite most people thinking they reached to get Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, most generally loved their value and picks after that. The important thing for us fans is that they have again attempted to address the issue of not having a franchise quarterback and until they find one it won’t matter how many talented players they draft.

It’s Bo Nix’s chance to take flight now and we all hope he does. They also picked up a very interesting edge rusher out of Utah in Jonah Elliss in the third round. He has some highlight reel worthy pass rush moves and I am excited to see how that progresses. The real value in the draft came on Day 3 when they traded up to get Nix’s top wide receiver in Troy Franklin. Then in the fifth round they found a bruiser of a running back in Audric Estimé. There was a lot of love about this 2024 draft class.

We’ll start with our own draft grades here at Mile High Report, then I’ll share some of the more unbiased grades Denver received from around the Internet tomorrow. Those tend to come out the next day.

Broncos Draft Grades

Grade: B+

If you aren’t grading an A+ then you are projecting to an extent. A lot of us are going the A+ route until proven different, but I am going to project into the future for the fun of doing meaningless draft grades. I like what I see in Bo Nix and if he works out then this draft grade goes straight to A+. – Tim Lynch

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Grade: A+

The Broncos draft class is great. They filled areas of need, got their quarterback, another edge rusher and depth on day 3. Grading a draft before they even take part in one practice is a ridiculous exercise that’s only necessary because people are desperate for instant gratification. So, here you are A+!! The Broncos nailed this draft. – Scotty Payne

Grade: A

They get an A from me. They addressed the two biggest needs on the team (starting QB, and edge) with their first two picks. Franklin obviously has a connection with Nix, so that is a no-brainer to draft him as a WR. He’s a solid deep threat and should help Mims. Abrams-Draine hopefully can fill the CB4 role in 2024 with his high level of football intelligence. Estime is a bruiser who reminds me of pre-injury Pookie, but with better vision. – Joe Mahoney

Grade: A++

Not only did the Broncos address positions of need, they got some great players in the process. On top of getting Bo Nix, they add his top target at Oregon in Troy Franklin. They also added a running back who wants to “run right through your face.” But what makes me really like the last three days for the Broncos is the trade for John Franklin-Myers. Yes, I know this wasn’t a Draft move, but this is a great trade by Sean Payton and Co. to get a great defensive lineman who instantly makes the defense better but is an even better man. – Ian St. Clair

Grade: A+

I don’t know how you can walk away from this draft and not feel good about it. There was no mortgaging of the already mortgaged future to trade up for a QB. Bo Nix was the guy, he was there, boom. Adding a weapon that Nix already has a level of comfort with, along with a solid pass rusher, makes this a good draft. We will wait and see how the plan plays out, but it appears Sean Payton executed his draft exactly how he wanted to. This gets an A+ from me. – Adam Malnati

Grade: A

The Broncos were able to come out of the 2024 NFL Draft by adding Bo Nix, Troy Franklin and Audric Estime. Those are three players who will be starters for the Broncos during their careers. I liked them getting Kris Abrams-Draine in the fifth-round who also has starting potential. Getting Jonathan Franklin-Myers for a future 2026 sixth-round selection was an absolute steal. I’m going to give Denver’s draft endeavors an A. – Chris Hart

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Grade: A-

I feel like this might be a pessimistic grade compared to everyone else, but this draft was a grand slam, at least on paper it was. Denver got their quarterback and put plenty of talent around him. And although I think Denver’s starting center is already on the roster (Alex Forsyth) it was good to use their last pick on an offensive lineman. My only concern is the interior defensive line, but most issues were addressed and they made some great value picks. – Ross Allen

Grade: A

The Broncos get a solid A from me on this draft. We got a guy in Bo Nix that is the perfect fit for what Sean Payton wants to do on offense. We got a high ceiling pass rusher in Jonah Elliss who will add much needed talent at edge. The team added a ton of offensive weapons to start building the roster on offense for a bright future. This was a front office that made smart choices and helped their roster a great deal. – Sadaraine

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How would you grade the 2024 Broncos draft class as a whole?



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Laying out Buffalo Bills WR’s pecking order for Divisional Round vs. Denver Broncos

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Laying out Buffalo Bills WR’s pecking order for Divisional Round vs. Denver Broncos


Curtis Samuel was activated off Injured Reserve on Friday, solidifying the Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver position ahead of a critical Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos.

With Samuel now on the active roster and expected to be part of the team’s game-day plans against Denver, there should be a clear pecking order for targets in this game.

Buffalo Bills activate Ed Oliver, WR from IR before Divisional Round vs. Broncos

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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Khalil Shakir has been the team’s leading receiver each of the past two seasons and is coming off a performance against the Jaguars this past week in which he hauled in all 12 of his targets. He will be the team’s top option once again vs. the Broncos.

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Behind Shakir, Brandin Cooks had a big game against the Jaguars as well, continuing his development into the downfield threat the Bills have been searching for throughout the year. He needs to be incorporated into the passing game early if Buffalo hopes to find the consistency required to push past one of the league’s top defenses. 

Then you have Keon Coleman and Samuel, who will be jockeying for the leftover targets on the outside. Samuel’s history against the Broncos, which included a 55-yard touchdown in last year’s Wild Card game, may play in his favor. However, Coleman recorded an impressive 36-yard catch and run against the Broncos, and the Bills could elect to give him the leg up in terms of snap share on the critical postseason affair.

Mecole Hardman was elevated from the team’s practice squad on Friday but it remains unclear if he will suit up to play on Saturday.

MORE: Bills suddenly need forgotten WR ‘in right head space’ with season on line vs. Broncos

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Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) denies a touchdown by Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) during the second quarter in an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup. | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Tough matchup

It will be interesting to see how the Bills define the pecking order when the two teams take the field at 4:30 p.m. But regardless of which players see their fair share of targets, they will be going up against a talented Broncos’ secondary highlighted by reigning Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, paired with one of the league’s most fearsome pass rushes.

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It’s going to take a heroic effort from the Bills’ pass catchers to help sustain a Buffalo passing game that took positive steps a week ago.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II (6) brings down Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) during the first quarter in an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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  • Bills’ castoff WR elevated from Broncos’ practice squad for Divisional Round matchup

  • Bills’ RB James Cook blatantly disrespected in 2025 position rankings by NFL analyst

  • Bills must neutralize threatening Broncos unit to defeat Denver in Divisional Round

  • Subpar Bills defensive unit will face Broncos without star player in Divisional Round



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Second victim dies over a week after shooting at Denver party celebrating Maduro’s capture

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Second victim dies over a week after shooting at Denver party celebrating Maduro’s capture



A second person who was shot at a party in Denver celebrating the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro nearly two weeks ago has died.

Police are still searching for the person responsible for the shooting on Jan.3, which left two people dead and two others wounded. The Denver Police Department said a large crowd gathered in a parking lot near South Galena Street and East Hampden Avenue late that night, and an argument broke out. Someone fired into the crowd, striking 16-year-old William Rodriguez Salas and three adults.

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The adults were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Police said a private vehicle also attempted to drive Salas to a hospital, but he died near South Havana Street and East Iliff Avenue.

On Friday, the DPD announced that one of the adult victims has died.

Authorities are still working to discover who was responsible for the shooting. They asked anyone with information on the case to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 or through their website.

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Denver pedestrian killed in crash on Colorado Boulevard

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Denver pedestrian killed in crash on Colorado Boulevard


Denver police are investigating a crash that killed a pedestrian Thursday evening. The Denver Police Department said the crash happened in the 1100 block of S. Colorado Boulevard, according to a post on the department’s official X account. That’s near E. Mississippi Avenue on the border of Glendale. The intersection where the crash happened has […]



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