Broncos' Expectations for 2022 Draft Class in Year 2

What should Denver Broncos fans expect from the team's 2022 draft class?

The Denver Broncos selected nine players in the 2022 NFL draft, despite having no first-round pick. Unlike the 2021 draft class, the first under GM George Paton, the Broncos didn't find anybody who provided a large impact.

Still, there was some promise shown by certain players, while others have much room for improvement. The question, though, is what Broncos fans should expect in return from these players, given the rounds in which they were selected and expectations for a particular position.

On one hand, players taken in the first three rounds of a draft should be expected to contribute in key roles and preferably become quality starters. On the other hand, just because a player doesn't make an immediate impact doesn't mean the player is an immediate bust, particularly if he's selected in the later rounds.

We're going to examine the nine players the Broncos selected in the 2022 NFL draft and look at what should be expected from them in 2023 — or whether or not they even make the final cut.

Nik Bonitto | OLB | Round 2

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The Broncos' second-round pick in 2022, taken 64th overall, had a quiet rookie season. Bonitto was active for 15 games but just one start. He did force a fumble and had 1.5 QB sacks, but more may have been expected from him.

To be fair to Bonitto, the Broncos may have wanted to bring him along slowly, but after injuries to Randy Gregory and Baron Browning, plus the trade of Bradley Chubb, he had increased expectations because of the need for pass rushers.

Furthermore, Bonitto's run defense was a liability, explaining why he wasn't a starter for most of 2022. His run defense must improve if he is going to see the field more often.

And while Bonitto doesn't have to be elite, he needs to be at the level of Derek Wolfe, who was a good player capable of great games. He can't simply be a rotational player if the Broncos expect to get a good return on the pick they used on him.

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Greg Dulcich | TE | Round 3

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The Broncos' third-round pick in 2022, the 80th overall draft selection, was active for 10 games with six starts. He certainly showed promise in his time on the field, with 33 receptions on 55 targets for 411 yards and two touchdowns.

One issue Dulcich had was missing time on the field because of injuries. He opened the season on injured reserve, with a designation to return, then played 10 games before going back on IR at the end of the season.

Dulcich does have some issues with blocking, but there is hope he can improve in that department. As far as statistics go, there is hope that he can improve there as well. Keep in mind most tight ends, from a statistical standpoint, don't make an impact in their rookie season.

The injury situation is one question that needs to be answered, but perhaps changes to the training staff will help. The other goes back to how the passing game turns out. But if Dulcich stays healthy and shows improvement, fans can be more optimistic about his long-term future.

Damarri Mathis | CB | Round 4

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The first of the Broncos' fourth-round selections in 2022, Mathis got thrown into the fire as a rookie. The Broncos likely wanted him to be a depth/rotational player, but a season-ending injury to Ronald Darby thrust Mathis into a starting role.

Mathis had his struggles, which is not unusual for rookie cornerbacks, particularly those taken later in the draft. But he showed promise as well with seven pass breakups.

That the Broncos opted to cut Darby and not add a veteran with a lot of starting experience would indicate they believe Mathis will improve. The good thing is that Mathis, despite his struggles, showed improvement throughout his rookie season.

I'm cautiously optimistic about Mathis going into 2023. All he needs to be is a player who can complement Patrick Surtain II, who has all the traits of an elite cornerback. If Mathis becomes a quality No. 2 corner, that's a good thing.

Eyioma Uwazurike | DL | Round 4

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The other Broncos' fourth-round pick in 2022 wasn't as involved on the defense as Mathis. He played in just eight games, though he did manage two quarterback hits and 11 solo tackles.

Uwazurike may not have contributed much in his rookie season, but the same was true for Malik Jackson, a fifth-round pick in 2012 who played 14 games but had just five total tackles on defense. Jackson would later emerge as a quality contributor, eventually starting the entire 2015 season.

Therefore, Broncos fans shouldn't give up on Uwazurike too quickly. But with that said, Uwzazurike will have plenty to prove because the Broncos have yet to settle who starts on the defensive line alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones.

At the very least, Uwazurike needs to demonstrate he can be a key part of the rotation. He will have competition with another 2022 draftee (who we'll get to later), so being a starter isn't an absolute. But Broncos fans should expect Uwazurike to play a bigger role than he did as a rookie.

Delarrin Turner-Yell | S | Round 5

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The first of the Broncos' 2022 fifth-round picks, Turner-Yell didn't start any games during his rookie season. He did have two fumble recoveries but, otherwise, his contributions on defense were minimal.

Going into the offseason, Turner-Yell looked like he might have a chance to contribute more as a depth player, even after the Broncos re-signed PJ Locke. However, Kareem Jackson has since re-signed with the Broncos, putting Turner-Yell's status into doubt.

With Justin Simmons, Caden Sterns, and Jackson expected to be the top three safeties, Turner-Yell now must compete with Locke and other safeties for what is likely the final spot on the depth chart. He thus finds himself on the roster bubble at this point.

If Turner-Yell impresses during training camp and the preseason, he could nail down that fourth safety spot, because Locke's salary isn't guaranteed. But he needs to make a good impression, or his best hope will be the practice squad. If that happens, though, one shouldn't be too disappointed because it's not unusual for players taken in the fifth round or later not to make the final cut.

Montrell Washington | WR | Round 5

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The second 2022 fifth-round selection, Washington was chosen mainly for what he brought to the return game. After multiple seasons in which the Broncos had difficulty finding a reliable returner, expectations for Washington were high.

Unfortunately, Washington didn't live up to those expectations. He averaged just 8.5 yards per punt return, had five fumbles, and returned several kickoffs in which he would have been better off taking a knee in the end zone for a touchback.

To be fair to Washington, he did have his share of good returns. However, the mistakes didn't help him and, now, he's caught in a numbers game at the wide receiver position. One of those receivers, 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims, has experience as a returner, plus the Broncos added cornerback Tremon Smith in free agency, who also has return experience.

Again, one shouldn't be too disappointed if a recent fifth-round pick doesn't make the final roster, even one such as Washington who got thrust into the spotlight. But he has to make a good impression in training camp and the preseason, or his best hope of staying will be on the practice squad.

Luke Wattenberg | IOL | Round 5

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The last of the Broncos' 2022 fifth-round picks, Wattenberg played in seven games with one start. He struggled most of the time, but that shouldn't have been surprising, between the fact that late-round rookies tend to struggle, plus Butch Barry didn't help matters with his poor coaching.

Wattenberg has a slightly better chance of making the final roster than the other fifth-rounders, though it's not guaranteed. The signing of Kyle Fuller gives the Broncos more experience on the depth chart, plus 2023 pick Alex Forsyth will get his chance to make an impression.

Still, better coaching could help Wattenberg's chances of sticking around. The good thing with him is that he doesn't have to play a key role right away, barring injuries to any starters.

Again, with a fifth-round pick, one shouldn't get too upset if he doesn't stick around for long. But Wattenberg's situation in 2022 might have been as much about the coaching as it was his own play. We'll see if he does better under a new coaching staff.

Matt Henningsen | DL | Round 6

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Henningsen was active all 17 games as a rookie. He showed some promise in his time on the field, getting 21 total tackles and one quarterback sack.

Like Uwazurike, there is some pressure on Henningsen to contribute more, given the Broncos need to determine the third starter on the defensive line. But the promise Henningsen showed a rookie gives some room for optimism here.

Again, a former late-round pick — Malik Jackson — was quiet in his rookie season, but emerged into a quality player. If Henningsen takes the next step in his second season, that's a good thing.

Even if Henningsen shows he's best as a depth player, that's fine, as long as Uwazurike proves he can be the starter. If one or the other proves he's starter material, and the one who doesn't shows he's quality depth, Broncos fans will find peace of mind.

Faion Hicks | CB | Round 7

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The Broncos' seventh-round pick in 2022 had a typical season for seventh-round picks, particularly those who play cornerback. Hicks spent his rookie season on the practice squad, though he was called up for a couple of games in which he played special teams.

While seventh-round picks who become quality starters make for great stories, such stories are the exception, not the rule. Furthermore, the more recent stories usually featured a running back, not a cornerback.

It's possible Hicks impresses enough in training camp and the preseason to become a depth and special teams player. However, expecting him to become a starter may be expecting too much.

Most likely, Hicks is going to be a practice squad candidate with an outside chance of making the final roster for depth and special teams. We'll see if he surprises, though.

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