ESPN Reveals How Broncos 'Stole' 3rd-Rounder in 2023 Draft

If this is true, the Denver Broncos made out like bandits in the 2023 NFL draft.

In the wake of the 2023 NFL draft, many pundits have lauded the Denver Broncos for the 'value' they got from their haul. GM George Paton, knowing the Broncos had only five draft picks and none in the first two rounds, said they were going to have to "make some hay." 

While it's early, and, in fact, not a single Broncos draft pick's cleats have hit the grass yet, many well-regarded draftniks are in agreement: Paton pulled it off — with help from head coach Sean Payton. 

The latest evidence of the hay the Broncos made while the draft sun was shining comes from ESPN's Matt Miller, who ranked the top-100 best picks, steals, and fits from the 2023 class. Miller ranked Denver's two third-rounders — linebacker Drew Sanders and cornerback Riley Moss — among the top-100 best of the 2023 draft. 

Sanders was ranked No. 22 on Miller's list, despite being selected at No. 67 overall. Pre-draft, Miller had Sanders ranked as his No. 39 overall prospect, so keep in mind that the former Arkansas linebacker landing at No. 22 is, in large part, due to the tremendous value the Broncos extracted, and the fit. 

Sanders brings a versatile skill set that helped him to 9.5 sacks last year while playing middle linebacker. The Broncos will get him on the field early given his three-down skills, his length at 6-foot-5 and what he does as a pass-rusher coming off the edge. There isn't another linebacker with this diverse skill set in the draft, and Denver stole him at No. 67 overall.

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Moss checked in at No. 51 on Miller's top-100 list, although the Iowa corner entered the draft as the analyst's No. 76 prospect. Again, it's about value and fit here. 

The Broncos have a deep roster of cornerbacks, but only Pat Surtain II is a surefire starter. Moss will have every chance to break into the opening day lineup with his quickness and instincts on the outside. He's also a valuable special teams player who will make a mark there as a rookie.

What it Means

What's cool is that ESPN is praising the Broncos for their third-rounders, but going unmentioned is the wideout the team traded up into Round 2 to secure — Marvin Mims, Jr. Perhaps Miller doesn't view Mims as a great 'value' pick, per se, but there's no doubt he's an explosive player with 4.38 speed whom Payton hand-picked for his offense. 

With only five picks, the Broncos had to make each one count, and while history is yet to be written on these players, the early returns and reactions from around the NFL landscape could heavily imply that they did. It took Paton and Payton orchestrating three separate draft-day trades, of which, the Broncos also landed a starting-caliber tight end from New Orleans in Adam Trautman, but the maneuvers seem to have borne fruit. 

The work to fully develop these picks and maximize that perceived 'value' begins on Saturday as the Broncos host rookie minicamp, which will be Payton's first opportunity to get hands on the 2023 class. 

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