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          NFL Nation

          Denver Broncos 2023 NFL draft picks, depth chart, analysis

          • Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterApr 29, 2023, 07:00 PM ET
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              Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.
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          ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The 2023 NFL draft ended Saturday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

          The Denver Broncos made five of the draft’s 259 picks, beginning with the No. 63 selection overall in the second round on Friday night.

          Here's pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Broncos’ selections.

          Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

          Round 2, No. 63 overall (from Detroit): Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Oklahoma

          My take: The Broncos made a heavy investment in the offensive line in free agency with tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Ben Powers, so they moved up to get Mims with the last pick of the second round. He adds needed speed to the position. The Broncos rebuffed trade offers for Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton before free agency opened, but Mims' selection shows coach Sean Payton wanted some additional pop on the outside.

          Key stat: Mims averaged more than 20 yards per catch in two of his three seasons with the Sooners. The Broncos had just one wide receiver -- Jeudy -- with more than two touchdown receptions last season. Payton figures to expand the play-action passing game -- something interim coach Jerry Rosburg made a priority in the final two games of the season last season -- and Mims provides a playmaker who can pull some deep-ball attention away from Jeudy. Mims also has experience as a punt returner.

          Round 3, No. 67 overall (from Indianapolis): Drew Sanders, ILB, Arkansas

          My take: The Broncos re-signed their leading tackler from the 2022 season in Alex Singleton, and Josey Jewell is also back, but Sanders carried a late-first/second-round grade by many teams, so the Broncos got massive value at this pick. Sanders is versatile, and he could play snaps in the middle of the field as well as on the edge. He has the size (6-foot-4 3/8, 235 pounds) and length to go with the rush skills to move around the formation if the Broncos want him to.

          When will he be expected to get regular playing time? As soon as he has a working knowledge of the new defensive playbook. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph likes linebackers with Sanders' size and reach in pass rush schemes that have been aggressive in the past. Sanders was one of the most productive players in college football last season -- he played one season for Arkansas after transferring from Alabama -- with 103 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in '22.

          Round 3, No. 83 overall: Riley Moss, DB, Iowa

          My take: Moss has one of the biggest resumes in college football with 50 games and 40 starts over five seasons. The Broncos were on the hunt for additional depth in the secondary, and Moss has positional versatility with some in the league who believe he can flourish at cornerback or make a move to a coverage safety in some looks. At 6-0 5/8, 193 pounds Moss blazed to a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine. Given the Broncos depth at cornerback was tested last season, he will compete for playing time out of the gate.

          Key stat: Moss had 11 career interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns in the same game during the 2021 season. The Broncos have one All-Pro cornerback spot in Pat Surtain II, but they have spots up for discussion at the other outside cornerback spot as well as the nickel cornerback spot. Moss' size and athleticism will put him in the mix. As he said, "I'm just a ballplayer.''

          What’s next: Given the Broncos moved back into the third round to select Moss -- they traded this year's fourth (No. 108) and a pick in the 2024 draft to do it -- the Broncos are now scheduled to have just two picks Saturday, both in the sixth round. They still need some depth at running back, plus some additional depth in both the offensive and defensive lines.

          Round 6, No. 183 overall: JL Skinner, S, Boise State

          My take: Skinner didn't work out at combine or his pro day because he had surgery to repair a torn chest muscle, but he had participated in practices at the Senior Bowl to make his pre-draft case. A physical player who will likely be used on special teams as soon as he arrives. He's a big-framed player in coverage (6-3 3/4, 209 pounds) with seven career interceptions who consistently is a willing defender in the run game. He projects as a safety in the Broncos defense who could earn some situational work as a rookie.

          Round 7, No. 257 overall: Alex Forsyth, C, Oregon

          My take: Forysth, who started 21 games for the Ducks over the last two seasons, didn't test all that well at the combine as he injured a hamstring during the drills. He's more of a technician over brute force at the moment. He is efficient and understands how to slow pass rushers and moves well in the run game. With significant depth issues in both the offensive and defensive lines, Forsyth will likely have the opportunity to show what he can do at both guard and center.