Denver Broncos 2018 success hinges on production of rookie class

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway, speaking to the media following his club’s preseason cutdown to the 53-man roster, said he’s “excited” about the team’s 2018 draft class.

In whittling down the roster last week ahead of the regular season, the Broncos managed to maintain all 10 draft picks from the class — eight staying on the active roster, one (Troy Fumagalli) heading to injured reserve, and another (David Williams) making it through waivers to the practice squad.

Undrafted college free agents Phillip Lindsay and Alexander Johnson also made the squad.

“I’m excited about the ’18 class,” Elway said.

Elway needs to be excited about the class, says 104.3 The Fan hosts Sandy Clough and Mike Evans, as the rookies need to make a major contribution in order for Denver to sniff the playoffs.

“In order for the Broncos to make this jump, they need to get a Saints type of impact from their rookie class. And we know what the Saints did last year,” Evans said on Tuesday.

Two members of the New Orleans Saints 2017 draft class earned Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year awards — running back Alvin Kamara on offense and cornerback Marshon Lattimore on defense — on the way to an NFC South crown.

Evans said he believes the Broncos need a similar type of impact from its rookies in order to be an above .500, near playoff-bound team.

“It has to be that kind of impact in order for this team to be a 9-win team,” Evans said.

On Monday, Clough said in order to sniff the postseason, seven to eight of the Broncos rookies need to have outstanding first seasons in the NFL.

“They will have to count on these guys to be more than just decent or even good,” Clough said. “I would say at least seven or eight out of those 10 have to be exceptionally good this year in order for the Broncos to make the playoffs.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.