Three UDFAs that can make the Broncos' 53-man roster in 2023
The Denver Broncos could have some guys make their roster that didn't get drafted in 2023. The undrafted free-agent market is huge for a lot of teams, and the Broncos are one of them. Not only will they, but they should bring in some UDFAs because they only drafted five players. They will be heavily […]
The Denver Broncos could have some guys make their roster that didn't get drafted in 2023.
The undrafted free-agent market is huge for a lot of teams, and the Broncos are one of them. Not only will they, but they should bring in some UDFAs because they only drafted five players. They will be heavily involved in the market, as they have been in the past. One of the more notable UDFAs in Broncos history is C.J. Anderson, a running back who had over 90 rushing yards in their Super Bowl win over the Panthers.
Even last year the Broncos had two guys make the roster that were undrafted free agents that actually ended up scoring touchdowns in 2022 in Jalen Virgil and Brandon Johnson. Like everyone always says, your journey to the league doesn't stop when you go undrafted. In fact, it most of the time makes those players work harder.
The Broncos rookie minicamp is this weekend, and we will see a lot of guys fighting for a spot on the roster, no matter what the role is. We may even see a few guys get spots to play offense or defense, not just special teams. With UDFAs, you just never know.
But, there are three guys I could see making this 53-man roster based on how the draft went and what needs still need to be filled. The Broncos have a few needs, of course, and just so happened to get a ton of UDFAs at those positions.
1. Thomas Incoom, OLB, Central Michigan
Incoom was great at Central Michigan and has the makeup to be a pro pass rusher. The Broncos have a stacked room at the position in young guys that have a lot of potential, but they also have guys that get hurt quite a bit in Gregory and Browning.
Right now Browning, Bonitto, Gregory, Jake Martin, and Johnathan Cooper are the guys at the position. But, I do think Incoom could have a good enough offseason where Cooper or Martin could be on their way out. This is a guy that went from 4.5 sacks two years ago to 11. sacks last year. He also finished with 19.5 tackles for loss in 2022. The Athletic's Dane Bruglar had Incoom as the No. 152 prospect overall heading into the draft.
2. Art Green, CB, Houston
The defensive back position is one that the Broncos would like to focus heavily on, mainly because they want to build something special with Pat Surtain while they still can. They drafted Riley Moss, and he has the potential to be great, but they still need more and didn't have enough picks to continue addressing it.
Green ran 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his college pro day, so the speed is most certainly there. The Broncos like athletes at the position and that is what Green is. Green had his best season in 2022 where he had two interceptions and 10 pass deflections. This cornerback room is pretty young overall, so in my opinion, there are spots to be taken.
3. Alex Palczewski, OT, Illinois
Palczewski (pronounced Pal-CHESS-key) is a guy that very well could have gotten drafted. He was pretty good in college and has the size and experience to play in the NFL. He is 6'6", 303 pounds, and had 65 starts in college in the Big Ten. For the sixth year in a row, the Broncos went the opposite of offensive tackle in the draft. They haven't drafted one since taking Garett Bolles.
Palczewski has some weaknesses that will land him on a roster somewhere, but the weaknesses are what kept him from getting drafted. His footwork is a bit sloppy in his pass sets and sometimes is out of control. But, because of the experience, I think that he is pretty coachable and is willing to fix those things.
