After selecting six players in the 2019 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos filled their 90-man offseason roster by signing 17 undrafted free agents. Notable UDFAs that have made the team’s 53-man roster in the past include cornerback Chris Harris and running back Phillip Lindsay, who both made the Pro Bowl last year.
Perhaps a member of this year’s class can continue the trend of undrafted rookie success in Denver. Let’s take a look at the prospects:
1. Ahmad Gooden, DL/OLB, Samford
Gooden (6-2, 245 pounds) totaled 50 tackles (including 15 tackles for losses) and 5.5 sacks during his senior year. He also broke up four passes and recovered two fumbles. The Broncos’ defensive end rotation is deep, so he’ll face an uphill battle to make the team.
2. Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State
Rypien (6-2, 202 pounds) earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2018 and is the conference’s all-time leader in passing yards (13,581). His competition for the No. 3 quarterback spot will be Kevin Hogan and Garett Grayson (assuming Drew Lock will win the No. 2 quarterback job). It’s not hard to imagine a Broncos QB depth chart of Joe Flacco, Lock and Rypien in 2019.
3. Joe Dineen, LB, Kansas
Dineen (6-2, 235 pounds) earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press in 2018 after totaling 142 tackles, one interception and three sacks as a senior. He started out as a safety before converting to linebacker. His versatility could help his chances of winning a job on the practice squad if not on the active roster.
4. Austin Fort, TE, Wyoming
Fort (6-4, 244 pounds) could have a real shot of at least making the team’s practice squad. Denver may carry four tight ends on the active roster and stash another one or two on the practice squad so the numbers are in Fort’s favor. Fort, a former quarterback, hauled in 17 receptions for 221 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games from 2017-2018.
5. Trinity Benson, WR/RB/KR, ECU
Benson (6-0, 180 pounds) hauled in 40 receptions for 427 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. He also rushed 42 times for 294 yards and three more touchdowns in 2018. His explosiveness could help his chances of making the 53-man roster as a kick returner.
6. Brian Wallace, OT, Arkansas
Wallace (6-6, 320 pounds) is a big offensive lineman who started all 12 games for Arkansas at right tackle last season. He was reliable in pass protection, allowing just 10 sacks on 1,998 snaps during his time in college. If he can protect the backup QBs well in practice, Wallace will have a shot.
7. George Aston, FB, Pittsburgh
Aston (6-0, 240 pounds) could be a threat to Andy Janovich this summer. As a senior, Aston hauled in 15 receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. For comparison, consider that Janovich totaled just five receptions during his four years at Nebraska. Maybe we’re reading into it too much, but given that offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello likes to use his fullbacks as receivers out of the backfield, Aston could have a shot to make the team.
8. John Leglue, OL, Tulane
Leglue (6-7, 310 pounds) is a monster-sized offensive tackle who showed off his versatility while in college. He can line up anywhere on the offensive line and also spent some time as a long snapper. Leglue will probably be fighting for a practice squad job this summer.
9. Kelvin McKnight, WR Samford
McKnight (5-8, 186 pounds) is the second Samford product the team signed, joining college teammate Ahmad Gooden in Denver. During his time with the Bulldogs, McKnight totaled 312 receptions for 4,121 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also scored once as a running back and once as a punt returner. He returned 74 punts for 643 yards during his time in college.
10. Jaylen Johnson, DL, Washington
Johnson (6-3, 286 pounds) earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors as a senior after starting in 12 games. After opting not to re-sign Domata Peko, the Broncos don’t have a lot of depth on the interior defensive line so Johnson will have a shot to make the team. He totaled 74 tackles and 6.5 sacks in college.
11. Josh Watson, LB, Colorado State
Watson (6-2, 240 pounds) started all 12 games at inside linebacker for the Rams in 2018 and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors. He totaled 365 tackles (including 25 tackles for loss) and 3.5 sacks during his four years at CSU. Because the Broncos did not draft a true inside linebacker, Watson should have a shot to at least make the practice squad.
12. Alijah Holder, CB, Stanford
Holder (6-2, 188 pounds) is the only cornerback that the Broncos added on the weekend of the draft, which could help his chances of winning a job. He earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors in 2018 after totaling 58 tackles, breaking up nine passes and forcing a fumble. He recorded two interceptions and forced five fumbles during his time at Stanford.
13. Devontae Jackson, RB, UWG
Jackson (5-7, 170 pounds) is the only running back the team added to the roster this offseason. Because the Broncos have so much depth at the position, Jackson will be an extreme longshot to make the 53-man roster. After rushing for 1,320 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018, though, Jackson will have a shot to make the practice squad.
14. Malik Reed, OLB, Nevada
Reed (6-2, 235 pounds) might be the most likely UDFA to make Denver’s 53-man roster this summer. He earned All-Mountain West honors as a senior and was named the Wolfpack’s co-MVP in 2018. After losing Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray this offseason, the Broncos could use more depth at outside linebacker — Reed may be just the player they’re looking for. He racked up 203 tackles (including 38.5 tackles for losses), 22 sacks and 11 forced fumbles during his time at Nevada.
15. Quinn Bailey, OL, ASU
Bailey (6-6, 323 pounds) earned Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention honors in 2018 after starting in every game at right tackle and allowing just one sack. He started a total of 34 games during his time with the Sun Devils and will likely compete for a practice squad spot this summer.
16. Romell Guerrier, WR, Florida Tech
Guerrier (5-10, 171 pounds) hauled in 59 receptions for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018. He only returned four kicks in his college career, which could hurt his chances of making the team when compared to other receivers such as McKnight and Benson. He’s a longshot.
17. Ryan Crozier, OL, UCONN
Crozier (6-4, 294 pounds) started all 12 games at center for the Huskies in 2018 and also spent some time at guard during his time at the school. Crozier also played offensive tackle in high school, so he has experience at all three positions on the offensive line. His versatility will help his chances of earning a spot on the practice squad.
In addition to the 17 players listed above, the team also invited UAB safety Broderick Thomas and Northern Colorado long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer to rookie minicamp as tryout players.
To view the Broncos’ 2019 NFL draft class, click here.
