Denver, CO
Xavier Truss might be a diamond in the rough for the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have one of the greatest track records in the National Football League when it comes to finding and developing talent as undrafted free agents.
In all but one season over the past 21 years, the Broncos have had an undrafted rookie make their final 53-man roster. The franchise signed fifteen college free agents at the end of the 2025 NFL Draft, but one of them certainly stands above the rest. That would be 6’7” Georgia offensive lineman Xavier Truss.
A four-star recruit, the highest in the history of Rhode Island, Truss’ path to Athens was an exercise in patience. Known for sending offensive line talent to the NFL every season, he had to wait his with the Bulldogs—a championship caliber collegiate program with incredible depth on the offensive line.
His first three years was as a backup, but in 2022 he finally got his chance to start and held his own for the National Champions with 14 games at left guard. In 2023, he started 13 games with 8 of them at right tackle, 4 at left guard, and 1 at right guard. As a sixth-year senior, he was the Bulldogs’ right tackle for 14 games.
According to reports, the Broncos’ initial plan is to have him start out at guard. The team’s starters are set in stone with Ben Powers and Quinn Meinerz, but a backup spot will certainly be up for grabs. Let’s take a more in-depth look at Truss and what to reasonably expect for him during his rookie campaign.
Player Profile
Age: 23 | Experience: Rookie | College: Georgia | Height: 6’7” | Weight: 309 pounds
Arm Length: 33” | Hand Size: 10-1/2” | Bench Press: N/A | Broad Jump: 8’7”
Vertical Jump: 26 inches | 10-Yard Split: 1.82 seconds | 40-yard dash: 5.24 seconds
Xavier Truss’ 2025 outlook with the Broncos
One of the Broncos’ biggest strengths is their starting offensive line unit which ranked at the top of most metrics for their efforts in 2024. It’s safe to assume that their starting five from last season are set in stone. Though they will need to have some versatile backups to round out their roster.
Versatility is Truss’ calling card. With over 2,000 reps between three positions during his collegiate tenure with the Bulldogs, he has a lot of quality playing experience against top-tier competition. Prospects like him who offer multi-position flexibility often punch above their weight in battles to make a final roster over those who are relegated to one.
While his athletic scores at the NFL Combine weren’t great, his tape shows a player with adequate lateral agility and the ability to get to the second level. I also like his physicality and toughness on the field. He gives it his all ever snap and I liked how quick he was to initiate contact in his reps.
Unfortunately, his decision to forgo the bench press at the NFL Combine or Pro Day emphasizes concerns about his strength. It’s a fair and noticeable critique. Truss needs to improve in that regard though that’s not uncommon for linemen coming into the league.
Outside of his play on the field, his former college coach Kirby Smart raved about his character, toughness, and leadership. All of those are traits Head Coach Sean Payton seeks in his payers. He certainly seems to fit the mold and vision for the culture Payton’s seeking to establish here.
#Broncos UDFA OL Xavier Truss (Georgia #73) completely washing Que Robinson out of the play on back to back snaps
Love Que, but we got an absolute DAWG in our UDFA haul! Gonna be fun to watch these two compete this summer pic.twitter.com/CVUw35QyiM
— Kodiak Broncos Podcast (@KodiakBroncos) April 30, 2025
Final Thoughts
The Broncos haven’t spent significant draft capital in Payton’s tenure on the offensive line. However, they have put a major emphasis signing undrafted collegiate prospects to round out their roster. One could call it the Zach Strief path—a rising star in the coaching ranks who Payton signed as an undrafted free agent years ago with the New Orleans Saints.
According to Mike Klis, Truss received one of the highest bonuses and guarantee amounts of any player in their 15-man undrafted free agent class. That doesn’t make him a shoo-in for the final 53-man roster, but I believe it indicates they feel confident about his ability to develop into a starting-level player.
The Broncos had nine offensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster. For this upcoming training camp, Truss’ main competition will be Alex Palczewski and Frank Crum. Both were also undrafted players that wound up making the Broncos’ roster each of the last two seasons.
Who earns backup spots on the Broncos’ offensive line will be one of the best battles to watch. There’s no doubt Truss is certainly going to be in the mix. The concerns with his strength and being behind the aforementioned relative to the playbook are marks against him. If he doesn’t crack the final 53-man roster, he certainly merits continued development on the team’s practice squad.
The Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest celebrations of the summer, and Denver is delivering a packed lineup of events for every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re looking to watch fireworks light up the Colorado sky, catch a live concert at Red Rocks, enjoy rooftop parties, indulge in seasonal food and drinks or explore the city’s thriving arts and culture scene, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Here’s your guide to the best music, food, fireworks, nightlife, arts, and cultural events happening across Denver this Fourth of July weekend.
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Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver
Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide
FASHION EVENTS
Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Second Model Auditions
Where: TBA
Cost: $10+
The Lowdown:
Following overwhelming demand from aspiring models across Colorado, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) has announced a second round of model auditions for its upcoming Fall/Winter 2026 runway season.
MUSIC EVENTS
Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide
Gillian Grogan and EMMA ROSE
Where: Skylark Lounge – 140 S. Broadway
Cost: $18+
The Lowdown:
Zeds Dead with Sippy, Baauer, Holly, HYDRAULIX & LUMBERJVCK
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre – 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Cost: $205+
The Lowdown:
Flobots
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver – 1380 W Florida Ave
Cost: $0+
The Lowdown:
Don Toliver with SahBabii, SoFaygo, Chase B
Where: Ball Arena – 1000 Chopper Cir
Cost: $105+
The Lowdown:
FOOD EVENTS
Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver
Dumpling Love: Dim Sum Party
Where: Stir Cooking School Highlands – 3215 Zuni St.
Cost: $120 per person
The Lowdown:
Join the dumpling party and learn how to make pork bao buns, shrimp shumai, pan-fried gyoza, and crab cheese rangoons. All classes include a full bar with beer, wine, and house-curated cocktails for purchase.
Stars, Stripes, and Deck Nights
Where: Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar – 1999 Chestnut Pl.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Celebrate America’s 250th with our festive Bomb Pop Drinks, featuring real Bomb Pops and High Noon buckets!
4th of July Rooftop Fiesta at Cimera
Where: The Source Hotel – 3330 Brighton Blvd.
Cost: $60+
The Lowdown:
The experience is an open rooftop gathering featuring live-fire cooking, craft cocktails, and skyline views throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy Peruvian street skewers, duck & chorizo paella, and ceviche prepared live on-site.
Farmers Market Central Park
Where: Central Park – 29th Ave & Roslyn
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, tasty baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more!
LIFESTYLE EVENTS
Mystic Magnolias; A Southern Gothic Cabaret
Where: Colorado Sake Co – 3559 Larimer St
Cost: $25+
The Lowdown:
Saunter yourself out to The Mystic Magnolias, a Burlesque AND Drag Show with chilling charm and dripping in Southern Gothic atmosphere.
America 250 | Colorado 150 Drone Show presented by Visit Denver
Where: DPAC/Denver Performing Arts Complex – 1400 Curtis St.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Following Sunset Cinema’s showing of National Treasure on July 3rd at Sculpture Park, stay to enjoy the 4th of July Drone Show! This special event will be brought to you by Visit Denver, celebrating American 250 | Colorado 150, including an appearance by Mayor Mike Johnston.
Beat The Bomb Summer Mission: America250 Edition
Where: Beat The Bomb – 3863 Steele St, Unit 1273
Cost: $39+
The Lowdown:
Beat The Bomb announces the limited-time-only Summer Mission: America250 Edition – celebrating America’s 250th with five new games, a collectible beach towel, and a red, white, and blue Paint Blast!
Independence Day Concert with Denver Municipal Band (Cheesman Park)
Where: Cheesman Park – 1900 E. 11th Ave.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Price:Free
Join the Denver Municipal Band’s Concert Band for an Independence Day concert at Cheesman Park Pavilion with special guest Denver District 10 City Councilmember Chris Hinds narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.
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Whether you’re dancing at a concert, enjoying a garden dinner, cheering on your favorite soccer team or exploring a new exhibition, Denver offers plenty of ways to fill your 4th of July weekend calendar. Gather your friends, support local businesses, and discover something new around the city.
After an extended wait of no activity from the Denver Nuggets in this year’s free agency period, the team has finally made its first new signing.
That signing just so happens to be the No. 2 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft, Marvin Bagley III.
According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, the Nuggets and Bagley have agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum deal for the 2026-27 season, effectively providing some solid depth in the frontcourt.
Free agent center Marvin Bagley III has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. A critical frontcourt addition for the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/enHBVxgfYl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2026
With Denver’s first free agency signing now officially in the books, here’s what the move to bring in Bagley might mean for the Nuggets moving forward into free agency and this offseason, as well as entering next season.
Marvin Bagley Brings Frontcourt Depth to Denver’s Lineup
Bagley split his time between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks this past season to put together one of his better years of production in recent memory.
In the 60 combined games he played, Watson averaged 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting a career-high 61.8% from the field and 46.2% from three on a little less than one attempt per game.
Bagley’s a big who’s game centers more around his offensive skillset. He spent most of his time shooting last season at the rim or in the mid-range, shooting a stout 64.1% on two-pointers last season that can bring a bit of an interior presence into Denver’s frontcourt.
Defensively, he leaves a little bit more to be desired. And he’s still not quite the most impressive three-point shooter, even coming off his most efficient season from deep.
But for the cost of a veteran minimum contract, he acts as a nice budget-friendly addition who can shoulder some of the load offensively, and has shown value as an offensive rebounder as well. It’s tough to find much better for the price Denver’s paying.
While entering the league slotted in primarily as a power forward, it’s been in the past few seasons that Bagley’s settled in more as a full-time five; having spent 95% of his minutes during the 2025-26 campaign playing at the five.
That might give you a bit of a hint as to how the Nuggets plan to use him this next season, though they might also have some stretches where he’s placed alongside Nikola Jokic at the four for a bit of a larger frontcourt lineup.
The Writing’s On the Wall for Jonas Valanciunas
Looking at what Bagley’s addition might mean for the Nuggets’ current roster, no one in the picture gets more impacted by Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas was Denver’s primary backup behind Jokic at the five last season following his trade from the Sacramento Kings, and entered this offseason with an uncertain future because of his contract situation.
The veteran big man has an expiring $10 million contract heading into the 2026-27 season, but one that’s not fully guaranteed, giving the Nuggets the opportunity to release him and save $8 million, while incurring a dead cap hit of $2 million that can be stretched over multiple years.
Such a move can give the Nuggets further cap flexibility that they’ll need this offseason to re-sign key pieces like Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, which to this point haven’t been done, but becomes a bit easier now that Denver can take that next step in pivoting off of Valanciunas.
Perhaps Denver might also look deeper into a trade involving Zeke Nnaji, now that they’ve got a cheaper option in Bagley that might even sit ahead of him on the initial depth chart. However, it remains to be seen if the Nuggets have any takers on the two years remaining on his contract. To this point, they haven’t found anyone to bite.
When factoring in Valanciunas and Nnaji though, Bagley’s addition now brings the Nuggets to a total of 10 players signed onto traditional contracts for the 2026-27 season.
That leaves them with four open spots left to utilize in the days and weeks ahead. How they decide to use that space remains to be seen, but at the very least, the Nuggets’ long-awaited first offseason signing has now officially come to light.
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See social media react to LeBron James leaving the Lakers
After eight seasons in Los Angeles, LeBron James will return for his 24th season, but not with the Lakers.
The King and the Joker together?
Is it possible that LeBron James could join the Denver Nuggets?
The 41-year-old James plans to play in 2026-27 for his 24th NBA season, but he’s informed the Lakers it will be with another team.
It seems like the Nuggets may be at least somewhat interested in pairing James with star Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets have reached out to James, the Denver Post reported on July 1.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN said he has “long believed” the Nuggets could be an “outlier” team in part because of James’ admiration for Jokic.
The Nuggets recruited James when he was a free agent in 2018 before he signed with the Lakers.
LeBron James next team betting odds
Where do the sports books think James is going? Sports betting company DraftKings Sports does not have the Nuggets high on the list.
There are 10 teams that DraftKings believes are most likely to land James in free agency after he turned down the Lakers.
DraftKings believes James will choose to sign with one of the following teams at some point this summer: Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers.
DraftKings Sports odds: LeBron James landing spots
Here are the full odds for the top 10 landing spots this free agency period for James, a four-time champion, Finals MVP and league MVP:
- Golden State Warriors: -250
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +170
- Miami Heat: +800
- San Antonio Spurs: +3000
- Detroit Pistons: +3000
- Dallas Mavericks: +3000
- Milwaukee Bucks: +4000
- Brooklyn Nets: +4000
- Washington Wizards: +5000
- Philadelphia 76ers: +5000
Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.
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