PFF gives Broncos “elite” grade for 2018 draft class
May 27, 2021, 9:42 AM
Debate surrounding the Denver Broncos’ 2018 draft class will likely continue for years to come, especially with the emergence of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen as one of the AFC’s top gunslingers.
Three years ago, Pro Football Focus gave Denver a grade of “good” in its instant reaction following the draft.
However, PFF stirred the pot a bit this week, giving the Broncos 2018 draft an “elite” grade upon reflection three years removed from the draft.
“John Elway hit back-to-back home runs with his first two picks then called it a day,” writes PFF’s Michael Renner. “It’s not pretty after Bradley Chubb and Courtland Sutton, but if you found a Chubb and Sutton in every draft, you’d be utterly stacked.”
Indeed, the duo of Chubb and Sutton have propped up what otherwise may be considered a sub-par draft class.
Despite missing much of the 2019 season with a torn ACL, Chubb has collected 20.5 sacks over his first three seasons in the NFL, along with 28 tackles for loss, 46 quarterback hits and 83 tackles. He was voted to the 2021 Pro Bowl for his efforts last season.
Sutton too has had an explosive professional tenure thus far despite missing almost all last season with a torn ACL. During the past three seasons, Sutton’s caught 117 passes for 1,882 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2019 season.
However, as Renner writes, the remainder of the draft class — save for starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell — has left Broncos Country wanting.
Aside from Chubb, Jewell and Sutton, only one of the remaining seven players from the class — running back Royce Freeman — remains on the active roster.
And to add insult to injury, PFF graded the Bills and Baltimore Ravens 2018 draft classes elite as well, much thanks to two quarterbacks the Broncos could have — but did not — drafted: Allen and Lamar Jackson.
