NFL DRAFT 2022

Breaking down the Broncos undrafted free agents class of 2022

May 3, 2022, 6:39 AM

Over the weekend, the Broncos agreed to terms with 13 college free agents after the 2022 NFL Draft. Since 2011, the Broncos have found a college free agent who has made the 53-man roster in every year except for 2016. Broncos General Manager George Paton has an eye for talent, and that’s evident by the players he was able to add this year from the group of undrafted free agents.

Players like Chris Harris Jr, C.J. Anderson, Shaquil Barrett, Phillip Lindsay and others have found their way into the league – and onto stardom – from the priority free agents the Broncos were able to sign. The team is famous for finding quality talent from the ranks of the college free agents after the draft.

Who are the players this year, and are any of them going to make the 53-man roster in 2022? Let’s take a look.

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Christopher Allen| OLB | Alabama

I had Allen graded as a fourth-round prospect in this draft class, and had it not been for injury concerns (ACL 2018, Foot 2021) he would have heard his name called during the draft. Allen is not a finished product as a pass-rusher, but he’s got the natural agility and burst to get after the quarterback regularly.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: The Broncos gave Allen the most money of any undrafted free agent. That means the chances are pretty good he makes the team if he proves he can play special teams. Either way, Allen is at least going to make the practice squad.

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Ja’Quan McMillian | CB | East Carolina

Did the Broncos find another CHJ? They could have with McMillian – one of my favorite sleeper cornerback prospects in this draft class. He has incredible ball skills (40 passes defensed in 33 career games), and McMillian always seems to be around the ball. Even though he’s small for the position (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) McMillian is a feisty player who finished second in tackles for the Pirates in 2021. I like his tenacity, intelligence and ability to make a play on the ball.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: It shouldn’t take long to see McMillian make plays for the Broncos. If he stands out in training camp and the preseason, there’s a strong possibility he sticks on the 53-man roster. If there was one player from this group I’d bet on to make the team it’s McMillian.

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Sebastian Guitierrez | OT | Minot State

I like Guitierrez’s size/athleticism combination – and as a former wide receiver and basketball player in high school those traits show up on film. He’s a tenacious blocker who didn’t give up a lot of sacks at Minot State, and he helped blast open rushing lanes for the Beavers strong rushing attack. It’s quite a jump in talent from Minot State to the NFL, so Guitierrez is going to have to show he can handle opponents who are larger, faster and stronger than what he’s used to blocking.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: It would take injuries ahead of him on the depth chart – and quite a few of them – for Guitierrez to make the final roster. Minot State hasn’t sent a player to the NFL since 1977, so Guitierrez has his work cut out for him to even make the practice squad.

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Michael Niese | OT/OG | Temple

I believe Niese has what it takes to stick on an NFL roster. As a tackle, Niese did a good job of maintaining
his blocks and countering secondary moves with power. As a run-blocker, Niese will try to take his man out of the play and did so on more than a few occasions. He is used to blocking for a rushing quarterback, so I think that helps him if he’s ever on the field with Russell Wilson.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: It’s doubtful that Niese makes the final roster. However, his position versatility makes him a developmental swing guard or swing tackle at the pro level. Put him on the practice squad and coach him up is what I would do.

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Tyreik McCallister | RB | Charleston

Ability on special teams as a return man will determine what McCallister does in the NFL. He’s a jack-of-all-trades player who can line up as a running back, in the slot or out wide as a receiver. I like his quickness off the line of scrimmage and at the stem of his route. He’s a quick player who can stack moves in the open field without losing speed which helps him create his own space.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: There is enough playmaking ability, and certainly there is plenty of versatility, to make McCallister a developmental prospect on the practice squad.

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Rodney Williams | TE | Tennessee-Martin

Rodney Williams grew up emulating Shannon Sharpe, and he played wide receiver during his time with the Skyhawks in college before transitioning to tight end in 2020. He does a good job of finding open spots in the zone and has some moves before and after the catch.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: The tight end position is wide open behind rookie third-round pick Greg Dulcich and Albert Okwuegbunam. Williams is a “move” tight end who doesn’t have the size yet to be tasked with playing in-line as a blocker. If he shows well in camp, throw him in the weight room and on the practice squad.

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Dylan Parham | TE | North Carolina State

Dylan Parham – No, not that Dylan Parham (OC Memphis) – arrived at NC State as a quarterback but switched to tight end before the 2017 season. He put on almost 60 pounds of muscle during his time with the Wolfpack and wasn’t asked to catch a lot of passes. Instead, Parham was a fierce blocker who helped spring running backs on the edge. He’s underrated as a receiver (only 12 catches in college), but it’s his blocking ability that is coveted by the Broncos.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: The chances for Parham may be better than some think. He’s already developed as a blocker – something that most college tight ends can’t say. Add in his underrated ability as a receiver, and Parham could surprise. I still think he’s bound for the practice squad if he impresses in camp.

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Kadofi Wright | LB | Buffalo

From a testing and film standpoint, Wright stands out with his change-of-direction ability. He can make crisp cuts and bursts out of his break to the ball – or the quarterback. He’s undersized when it comes to run defense, but rushing the quarterback is something he can do with great intent. Wright never fully played up to his potential in college and might be a better pro than he was a collegian.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: Wright needs to play with more discipline, and he needs to learn how to stack moves better in order to be a good rotational rusher in the pros. He’s got an outside shot to make the practice squad.

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Brandon Johnson | WR | Central Florida

Johnson was known as a red-zone threat in college, scoring 10 touchdowns in 13 games last season. A transfer from the University of Tennessee, Johnson is the son of a Major League Baseball player (and his dad, Charles Johnson, played for the Colorado Rockies) and his cousin is former Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson. He’s got length and body control for the position, plus Johnson plays with a great love for the game of football.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: The Broncos wide receiver room is jammed with talent. Making the 53-man roster is going to be tough, so Johnson should be angling for a spot on the practice squad.

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Kaden Davis | WR | North Missouri State

Davis is a hard-working player who has shades of Adam Thielen to his game. He can play out wide or from the slot, but I believe the slot is his best spot to succeed in the pros. Davis has subtle moves as a runner and kick returner which helps him create space to make big plays. He’s not afraid to run routes over the middle, and Davis has an extra gear when he sees the end zone.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: Davis is a dangerous return man, so special teams are his best chance of making the final roster. I think he’s bound for the practice squad but only if he impresses in the offseason.

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Jalen Virgil | WR/KR/PR | Appalachian State

Virgil has a great size/speed combination which helps him as a receiver and a return man. He has choppy steps and maintains great balance as he changes direction. Virgil knows how to use his speed as a changeup, and he can slow down to lull defenders to sleep only to blow by them once they’re vulnerable. He eats up chunks of yards quickly and has good ball-tracking ability over his shoulder.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: Virgil might be the most dangerous return man they added in the draft or in priority free agency after the draft. He’s a sleeper to make the final roster but is certainly the type of player you want around on the practice squad.

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Cortez Davis | CB | Hawaii

Davis is one of my favorite sleeper cornerbacks in this draft class, and I’m a bit surprised he fell undrafted. He led the NCAA with 19 passes defended in 2021, which should have alone gotten him drafted. Although undersized, Davis is a willing tackler and had 131 tackles and eight tackles for loss across his three years as a starter.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: He’s a favorite sleeper of mine, but he’s looking at a practice squad spot if he can impress in camp.

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Kana’i Mauga | ILB | USC

Get this guy around the ball and watch him destroy blockers and ball-carriers. Mauga does a good job of keeping big blockers off him, and he will take some on with a strong punch. He finds the play quickly and comes downhill with bad intentions. He’s not going to blow you away in space but get him in the box and he can make plays.

Chances to Make the 53-Man Roster: Mauga will have to show well in preseason games, because the best part of his game comes from tackling and physicality you won’t see in practice. If he looks good in games – and he should – then a practice squad spot could be his.

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Note: The Broncos added quarterback Eric Barriere (Eastern Washington) as a tryout player for rookie minicamp. He’s super athletic, has a quick release and good tough throwing downfield.

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