Broncos' 15 Undrafted Rookies: What Fans Need to Know

The Denver Broncos signed 15 rookies who didn't hear their name called on draft day. What should fans know about them?

The NFL draft is in the books, and the Denver Broncos made their five selections and have started getting them officially signed. After the draft, they got to work on identifying and signing their undrafted free-agent class and have come to terms with 15 of them. 

Emanuel Wilson | RB | Fort Valley State

Wilson is a big running back who weighed 226 pounds, standing at 5-foot-10. He put up good numbers with his testing and good production in college. While there isn't great explosion, he has a solid burst and can be a boulder when he gets moving. 

However, Wilson is an upright runner who didn't play the most challenging competition and offers little receiving ability. There's a chance he can make the practice squad, but the roster seems unlikely as a rookie. 

Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | Youngstown State

As a smaller back, you want explosive speed, and McLaughlin posted a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. Over the last two seasons, he has picked up over 3,000 yards rushing and receiving with 27 total touchdowns. The concern with smaller backs is fumbling, but McLaughlin fumbled once in college. 

There isn't any power to his game, so you must be cautious using him between the tackles and short-yard situations. McLaughlin's odds of making the roster are among the highest, especially if he can make a name for himself as a returner. There are only a few backs with his profile on the roster to compete with. 

Dallas Daniels | WR | Jackson State

Daniels is a small receiver who didn't show explosive speed with his testing. He had a career year in 2022 with a little under 700 yards and two touchdowns while fumbling twice. It seems unlikely for Daniels to make the roster or the practice squad, but not impossible. 

Taylor Grimes | WR | Taylor Grimes

Grimes is another smaller receiver who didn't have great testing, but his production is outstanding. Over the last two seasons, he posted 2,400 yards on 173 catches, with 31 touchdowns and no fumbles. 

Grimes also has reliable hands, dropping only six passes between the past two seasons. While there are some reps on special teams, the 24 total snaps aren't a difference-maker. Grimes has a chance to make the practice squad as a smaller possession-type receiver. 

What happens next on the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Nate Adkins | TE | South Carolina

Adkins is a short and compact tight end that doesn't have great length, but he has versatile usage to line up all over the offense. There is some reliability as a receiver, and he can hold his own as a blocker. Making the roster seems unlikely, but he can stick around on the practice squad. 

Kris Leach | TE | Kent State

Leach has the size and length and uses it well as a blocker. However, there isn't much athleticism to work with, and he has limited exposure as a receiver, with 19 catches and four drops on 36 targets over the last four seasons. 

Leach is strictly a blocking tight end, which could help him make the roster for the Broncos as they look to show a heavy dose of power run, but the practice squad seems far more likely. 

Alex Palczewski | OL | Illinois

Palczewski is a tall tackle who could move inside to guard in the NFL. He was an efficient blocker in college, with good technique overall, but he doesn't use consistency. 

Penalties were a significant issue in college, and Palczewski has to be more disciplined with his play. Nevertheless, he can stick around on the practice squad with how the offensive line looks. You can find his full Finding Broncos scouting report here. 

Demontrey Jacobs | OL | South Florida

Jacobs has excellent size and length and shows good athleticism. However, he lacks the proper technique that needs to be developed. The tools are there, but it is time to work to put everything together. With the need to develop the traits and tools, he can make the practice squad for additional development. 

Henry Byrd | IOL | Princeton

Much work must be done to develop Byrd, but he has the athletic tools teams have come to covet. In addition, he has been praised for his football intelligence and can end up thriving as a center in the NFL if a team can develop the technique and make him more than an athlete. If he shows some growth during camp, he can stick around on the practice squad. 

P.J. Mustipher | DL | Penn State

Mustipher is a nose tackle only that will strictly be a two-gapping tackle. He isn't a twitchy athlete and can struggle to get off blocks, but he does well using his strength and holding up. 

Despite his limitations, the Broncos don't have great depth on the defensive line, and Mustipher could make the roster to backup Mike Purcell as the nose tackle, but the practice squad seems more likely. You can read the full Finding Broncos counting report here. 

Thomas Incoom | OLB | Central Michigan

Incoom was the prize of the undrafted free agent class, and many draft analysts were shocked he didn't hear his name called during the draft. While he isn't creative and lacks counters with his pass rush, he is relentless. There is a good ceiling for Incoom to develop, but he also has a good floor. 

Incoom has solid reliability as a run defender, pass rusher, and on special teams that the Broncos can use, which is why he is the best candidate to make the roster from the undrafted free agent class. You can read his full scouting report here. 

Marcus Haynes | LB/OLB | Old Dominion

Haynes had solid size but was well underweight for the edge position in the NFL. There might be a position switch in his future to be more of an off-ball linebacker. He did well working laterally against the run and scrapping with blocks. 

There is a chance Haynes could stick on the practice squad to develop with a potential position switch. Without the switch, it seems unlikely he will stick with the team. 

Seth Benson | LB | Iowa

One thing you can say about Iowa linebackers is that they are tough and intelligent. He doesn't have great burst and has athletic limitations in coverage and against the run. 

Benson's football IQ does help him overcome some of those limitations, but it may not be enough for the NFL. If he can prove himself on special teams, that will be his way to stick on the practice squad or even the roster with questions about Denver's depth at the position. 

Darrious Gaines | CB | Western Colorado 

Gaines has good size, length, and athleticism for the NFL. He had good production in college, and all the tools are there. 

However, Gaines can get caught up with his change of direction, one of his biggest concerns. The practice squad seems possible, but it will take a good showing during off-season activities with the other corners the Broncos have for development. 

Art Green | CB | Houston

The footwork is a mess, he is inconsistent with his technique, and he isn't overly fluid. However, Green has good burst to overcome issues with his fluidity and has excellent size and length to work with. 

During college, he was disciplined and kept himself on the field. One of his best traits is his instincts and awareness in zone coverage, which would make sense to stick around on the practice squad to work on his development. 

---

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!