In the 2021 NFL draft, Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain was widely regarded as the best secondary defender on the board. The Broncos picked Surtain with the ninth overall selection, and he has rewarded the franchise as a dominant shutdown defender on opponents’ best receivers.

Meinerz was almost virtually unheard of when he was selected by Denver 98th overall in the 2021 NFL draft out of Wisconsin Whitewater. “The Belly,” as he is affectionately known, is a great pass and run blocker; a force to be reckoned with on the offensive line.

Sterns was a formidable defender coming out of the University of Texas when he was picked by Denver 152nd overall. In the time since he’s been drafted, Sterns filled in during the tumultuous suspension-filled tenure of safety Kareem Jackson, and since the shocking release of safety Justin Simmons, Sterns should have an opportunity to start in 2024.

Cushenberry was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of LSU. His versatility on the offensive line saw him shuffled throughout the lineup before finally settling on center. Cushenberry started 57 games in four seasons, before signing with the Tennessee Titans this offseason.

Jones had a great career at Ohio State before being drafted in the third round (71st overall) by the Broncos. Jones collected 133 total tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles over four seasons with Denver. Jones started 29 games, playing in 56 games overall, prior to signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.

Jewell was a fourth-round pick (106th overall) by the Broncos out of Iowa, and he became one of the cornerstones of the middle of the field for Denver. Jewell had three seasons with over 100 tackles (2020, 2022, 2023) and during his time with the team, finished with two interceptions and five forced fumbles. He signed with the Carolina Panthers after the 2023 season.

When safety Justin Simmons was released by the Broncos last month, Bolles became the longest-tenured player on the team. Bolles has been one of the only constant teammates in front of several quarterbacks, several head coaches and even new ownership. The 2017 first-round pick from the University of Utah struggled in his first two seasons before becoming a rock on the quarterback’s blind side.

Simmons was surprisingly released by the Broncos after the 2023 season, saving the team $14.5 million in cap space. Prior to that transaction, Simmons was a two-time Pro Bowler (2020, 2023) and a four-time AP second-team All-Pro. Simmons left Denver in seventh place on the team’s all-time interceptions list with 30 picks.

McGovern was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft (144th overall) by the Broncos from Missouri. McGovern spent three years on the Denver offensive line, starting 55 games for the franchise before heading east to the AFC East’s New York Jets in 2020, where he has been ever since.

Punter Riley Dixon was originally selected by the Broncos in the seventh round (228th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. Dixon spent two years with Denver before going to Rutherford, New Jersey with the New York Giants for four years, and the Los Angeles Rams for one prior to resigning with the Broncos in 2023.