ENGLEWOOD — This dysfunctional Broncos season has brought one significant positive to light in the bye week.
Denver’s 2018 draft class is developing toward a runaway success.
Of the Broncos’ 10 selections back in April, four now have starting experience — linebacker Bradley Chubb, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, running back Royce Freeman and linebacker Josey Jewell — while just one pick, seventh-round running back David Williams, is no longer on the roster. And, the jury is still out on fifth-round tight end Troy Fumagalli, sidelined on injured reserve since September with a groin injury.
The Broncos overall rookie success is no fluke based on a 3-6 record, either. Several first-year players, including undrafted running back Phillip Lindsay, have carved their niche as the foundation of Denver’s long-term plans.
Here is a closer look at how the top picks of the Broncos’ 2018 rookie draft class has performed through their first nine NFL games:
LB Bradley Chubb
Round (selection): First (No. 5)
Key statistics: Played 461 defensive snaps (77.6 percent) and three special teams snaps … Appeared in all nine games … Recorded 30 tackles, nine tackles for loss, eight sacks, 11 quarterback hits, one pass deflection and one forced fumble.
Bottom line: Chubb is a legitimate candidate for defensive rookie of the year after getting 6.5 sacks over his last four games — putting him on pace to break the rookie sack record (14.5, Jevon Kearse). If Denver can learn to play with leads late, watch out, because Chubb is proving to be among the most NFL-ready players in the 2018 draft.
WR Courtland Sutton
Round (selection): Second (No. 40)
Key statistics: Played 432 offensive snaps (70.9 percent) and 27 snaps on special teams (10.2 percent). … Appeared in all nine games. … Recorded 20 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns.
Bottom line: Sutton was undervalued as a second-round pick with rare explosive play-making ability on deep balls. There is much left to prove, including sharpened intermediate route running, to validate Sutton’s role as a well-rounded NFL wideout. But he’s on course to become a special talent.
RB Royce Freeman
Round (selection): Third (No. 71)
Key statistics: Played 163 offensive snaps (26.8 percent). … Missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, but is expected to return versus the Chargers in Week 11. … Recorded 71 carries for 309 yards and four touchdowns. … Caught four passes for 21 yards.
Bottom line: When healthy, Freeman delivers the Broncos’ most powerful inside runner with an elusiveness and speed to break the big play. His wealth of experience at Oregon makes him someone Denver can trust with a variety of tasks.
CB Isaac Yiadom
Round (selection): Third (No. 99)
Key statistics: Played 70 defensive snaps (11.8 percent) and 92 snaps on special teams (34.7 percent). … Appeared in seven games. … Recorded nine tackles.
Bottom line: The Broncos expected Yiadom to play mostly special teams this season, but the lack of cornerback depth forced him into big defensive situations versus the Ravens and Jets. He has the physical tools to possibly develop into a starting defensive back. He’s not there yet.
LB Josey Jewell
Round (selection): Fourth (No. 106)
Key statistics: Played 221 defensive snaps (37.2 percent) and 218 snaps on special teams (82.3 percent). … Appeared in all nine games. … Recorded 25 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflection.
Bottom line: Linebacker Brandon Marshall’s lingering knee issue, paired with Jewell’s maturity after 43 college starts, allowed him a larger role than some might have expected. Jewell hasn’t been perfect, especially in coverage, but his football IQ allows him to consistently be in the right place at the right time.
WR DaeSean Hamilton
Round (selection): Fourth (No. 113)
Key statistics: Played 101 offensive snaps (16.6 percent) and 93 snaps on special teams (35.1 percent). … Missed the last two games with a knee injury. … Recorded three catches for 44 yards … Returned three punts for 31 yards.
Bottom line: Hamilton’s footwork and route running is beyond his years, but he has just one game with a reception. The emergence of fellow wide receiver Tim Patrick, Denver’s wealth of talent at the position and injuries have limited Hamilton’s early impact. But the Broncos remain high on his potential.
