Broncos Complete Draft by Selecting Oregon C Alex Forsyth at Pick 257
And just like that, the 2023 NFL draft is in the books for the Denver Broncos. With the No. 257 pick in the draft (seventh round), the Broncos selected Oregon center Alex Forsyth.
The Broncos acquired pick No. 257 and tight end Adam Trautman in a trade with the New Orleans Saints earlier on Saturday, dealing away their sixth-rounder. In the trade, the Broncos got a starting-caliber Y tight end and a developmental center.
The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Forsyth saw nearly 1,900 snaps since becoming a starting center for the Ducks in 2020. Praised for his football IQ and leadership acumen, he's an efficient mover upfront.
However, with the Broncos ostensibly moving toward a power-gap-centric blocking scheme under new head coach Sean Payton, Forsyth's fit is somewhat questionable, especially due to his overall lack of power/strength. Mile High Huddle's senior draft analyst Erick Trickel studied Forsyth's tape and wrote this in our scouting report on the Oregon center:
Alex Forsyth is a solid athlete who projects into a zone scheme where he can hide the lack of power in his game. Unfortunately, the Broncos are building up a power-run offense, as indicated by their free-agency signings, and Forsyth isn't a fit for that.
Time will tell exactly how Forsyth can impact the roster, but he joins projected starting center Lloyd Cushenberry and 2022 fifth-round draft pick Luke Wattenberg in Denver. The Broncos went to great length to bolster the offensive line since Payton arrived, signing left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency.
The starting five was well lined out well before the draft, but Denver lacks proven depth at tackle and on the interior. As the Broncos stockpiled four picks in this year's draft, plus Trautman (via trade), the lack of an O-line selection was conspicuous.
However, Forsyth gives Payton and new O-line coach Zach Strief a fresh ball of clay to mold for the future. The Broncos' 2023 draft class is officially in the books.
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