The free agency losses from last season netted the Denver Broncos quite a bit of compensatory draft picks this year. Three in total were awarded to the Broncos. That gives them a total of ten draft picks this year, with at least one in every single round of the draft.
Here is the updated draft order for the Broncos:
- Round 1: Pick 31
- Round 2: Pick 63
- Round 3: Pick 94
- Round 3: Pick 98 (compensatory)
- Round 4: Pick 136 (compensatory)
- Round 5: Pick 144 (from Ravens in Gino Gradkowski trade)
- Round 5: Pick 157 (from Jets in Ryan Clady trade)
- Round 6: Pick 219 (compensatory)
- Round 7: Pick 228 (from San Francisco in Vernon Davis trade)
- Round 7: Pick 253
The compensatory picks seem to be a recurring theme each year for the Broncos as they received four last year to go with three this year. With the huge paydays received by Malik Jackson and Brock Osweiler, you would have to assume two more high draft picks are coming to the Broncos in 2017. Add in Danny Trevathan, and the Broncos will be pretty set on compensatory picks next season again.
According to Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com, the Broncos have had just 16 compensatory picks all-time. Seven of those in just last two years. John Elway is definitely building a lot of talent. Enough that he is unable to keep it all.
Bring on the 2016 NFL Draft!