Best available Day 3 NFL draft prospects for Broncos

04/29/2023

Before the draft started, Sean Payton outlined one of the basic tenets of picking players by using a kitchen appliance metaphor: Don’t take toaster ovens when there are double ovens available.

After trading up twice on Day 2 and heading into Day 3 with only a pair of sixth-round picks — Nos. 183 and 195, to be precise — left in the quiver, what’s a realistic expectation?

“I think there’s probably a couple of dishwashers out there,” Payton said.

Yeah, it won’t exactly be a thrill-a-minute Saturday on tap for the Broncos. When Payton turned to George Paton and asked what exactly they had left, the general manager said with a hint of disappointment, “a pair of sixths.”

And yet, good players remain. Payton outlined the ideal: “If you can address a need and you can draft a higher-quality player, then that’s the utopia you live in. …

“Two sixes, though, and look, we just finished looking at the running backs. … Procuring more players and looking at each one through the lens of, ‘How can this guy do it?’ That’s still exciting. We’re still working.”

Here’s a look at some Day 3 options:

RB Kenny McIntosh, Georgia: More than half of his career carries came in 2022, his lone season starting. Averaged 5.6 per carry and caught 43 passes for 505 yards. Measured 6-foot and 204 pounds, ran 4.62 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Combine.

RB Sean Tucker, Syracuse: A Broncos top-30 visitor, likely in part due to health questions. Didn’t participate in the NFL Combine or Syracuse’s pro day. Rushed for 3,182 career yards (1,496 at 6.1 per carry in 2021) and logged 56 catches over the past two seasons.

Edge Robert Beal, Georgia: Six-year college football player, Beal is an older prospect who started just 10 games for the Bulldogs. But he also ran 4.44 seconds at the Combine at 6-4, 247 pounds. That would be a good set of traits to bet on in the fifth or sixth round.

Edge Mike Morris, Michigan: Morris has a huge frame at 6-5 and 270 and has the versatility – if not upper-end athleticism – to play multiple roles along the front seven.

Edge Andre Carter, Army: He’s 6-6 and 256 pounds and had his best season in 2021 when he logged 15.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss for the Black Knights.

OT Warren McClendon, Georgia: At 6-4 and 306, McClendon was a first-team All-SEC right tackle according to the league’s coaches. He started 38 games over his career at college football’s premier program.

OT Jake Witt, Northern Michigan: A Broncos 30 visitor and potential Day 3 swing for the fences, Witt has played on the offensive line for just more than a year. Former basketball player who NMU listed at 6-7 and 282. Denver could put him with offensive line coach Zach Strief — a former seventh-rounder himself — and hope the lottery ticket hits.

OL Jordan McFadden, Clemson: Just 6-2, but has long arms (34 inches at the Combine), so he could stick at tackle or could end up a guard while providing depth at potentially four spots. First-team All-ACC as Clemson’s left tackle in 2022.

TE Payne Durham, Purdue: Durham may not last until the sixth round in such a deep class of tight ends, but he’s got pass-catching ability and is a willing blocker. That’s an intriguing combination. Ran 4.87 seconds in the 40-yard dash and caught 101 passes for 1,027 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Boilermakers.

DL Moro Ojomo, Texas: Ojomo will still be 21 years old at the start of the 2023 season despite playing five years for the Longhorns. He never put up huge numbers — three sacks last year was his career best — but perhaps later in Day 3 he’ll be available. Checked in at the Combine at 6-3 and 292 pounds.

QB Max Duggan, TCU: The Broncos might not take a quarterback when there’s bound to be interesting options available after the draft, but if they do look to one, it could be somebody like Duggan, a rugged runner who coaches will be interested in working with because of his toughness.

WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati: This would likely require a trade up, but Scott has a track background and ran 4.44 at the Combine. Posted 899 yards and nine TDs on 54 catches in 2022 and could be a playmaker in a variety of ways in the NFL.

ATH Jack Colletto, Oregon State: A jack-of-all-trades in the form of former Payton protege Taysom Hill, Colletto might be one of those guys the Broncos can see a specific role for.

S JL Skinner, Boise State: Skinner’s not exactly Isaiah Simmons, but he’s a unique athlete at nearly 6-4 and 209 pounds whom Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph might see as a versatile member of the back seven. Skinner at BSU played mostly safety and would add a different body type to a group in Denver that, opposite Justin Simmons, looks like an open competition.

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