The Broncos focused on finding the exact fit at several positions using a disciplined approach and not blowing their salary cap.

They believe they have their starting center In either Luke Wattenberg or Alex Forsyth (day 3 picks in back to back years). Both are extremely smart, tough, gritty, athletic and reliable.

They added WR Josh Reynolds, a productive chain mover who can play in the slot or outside. Combined with WR Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims, the Broncos have a variety of passing options to go with number one WR Courtland Sutton (still on the trade market).

They added OT Matt Peart (1 year) as their primary swing tackle and OG Calvin Throckmorton for veteran O-line depth.

Defensively, they added new young (26) starting S Brandon Jones (3 years); a young DL Malcolm Roach (2 years) as a rotational/depth player known to be a run stuffer; and, a very solid ILB Cody Batron (1 year) to replace Josey Jewell. The interior defensive line and the run defense needed mending and it has received it but the Broncos aren't done fixing the run defense.

The Broncos continue to monitor the free agents but their main focus in April is college pro days and top 30 pre draft visits.

HC Sean Payton gets his first meeting with the team with one eye on the draft. The focus for the first phase of OTAs is strength and conditioning.

However, on opening week in September, many of the players will be different

than the players at OTAs today. Courtland Sutton was not present for the start of the OTAs because of an offseason ankle procedure (or new contract?).

Denver made a pre draft trade giving up a sixth round pick and getting QB Zack Wilson and a seventh round pick (a Paton trade mark: keeping the same number of picks when he trades for a player).

Zack Wilson coming out of college: Wilson has the skill set to be a good starting quarterback in the NFL. He throws a very catch-able ball, has mobility and athleticism and is a dangerous runner. He's super competitive, won't back down, extremely confident, and very smart.

Wilson needs to speedup reading defenses and working through his progressions. He has character concerns (rich brat, selfish, know-it-all). However, his teammates will play for him.

Everyone concedes he has the talent and had a bad deal (coaching and organization) in his first three years. The question is: can he and Sean Payton take his game to a new level?

Rd 1 Pick 12 QB Bo Nix

Payton got his guy in Nix-smart, accurate, good passer-and didn't undermine the future. Nix is an excellent system quarterback and Payton needed a quarterback who could/would run his system. Nix was the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft and was the best fit for what Payton wants in a quarterback: a pocket passer with escape ability, quick release, accurate, and an experienced winner. Nix's Oregon offense was based on NFL passing concepts like the concepts Payton runs. Nix's a great fit and a winner who loves football.

RD 3 Pick 76 Edge Jonah Elliss(son of a Bronco)

(Denver considered moving down if Elliss wasn't available). Elliss has a non stop motor with a quick first step and the ability to bend the edge. He wins on the out side with a variety of moves-rip, swim, bull rush. Elliss has a high football IQ that allows him to diagnose and react quickly. He shines as a pass rusher but is average against the because of his size and strength. Elliss can be a disruptive force if Denver's coaches emphasize his strengths and improve his weaknesses. He's a high ceiling needs work pick who gives Denver a boost on the edge, depth, and the potential to be a three-down player.

RD 4 Pick 102 WR Troy Franklin

Denver traded up (Seattle) to get Bo Nix's favorite target at Oregon. Denver received picks 102 and 235. Seattle received picks 121, 136,207. Franklin is a tall receiver with good speed who can beat press coverage but lacks the strength to win contested balls or fight for operating space. He instinctively avoids traffic and keeps distance from pursuit on crossing routes on all three levels of the field. Franklin will contribute immediately as a vertical threat and should develop into a productive number two to Courtland Sutton during the season. He moves immediately into the Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims group of receivers for playing time. Payton's vision for Franklin is outside Z (Jeudy).

RD 5 Pick 145 CB Kris Abrams-Draine

Abrams-Draine has a good football IQ and versatility which will allow DC Vance Joseph mix up his coverages. He has good ball skills and instincts but is slender and may have difficulties with man and run defense. However, he is productive and consistent enough he could have been a day two pick. He will have a lot of competition for playing time. Payton's vision for Abrams-Draine is outside-in corner flex (i.e. outside corner/nickel back).

RD 5 Pick 147 RB Audric Estime

Estime is an old school, smashmouth power running back with a nose for the end zone. He consistently gains yards after contact at a high rate, running through contact with the strength to do it repeatedly. Estime is a good pass protector but wasn't used much as a receiver. He has good athleticism, vision (inside and open field), and quick feet to make defenders miss at the line of scrimmage. Estime is a bargain in round five. Drafting Estime means that one player - Williams, McLaughlin or Perine - could be out of the mix. Payton's vision for Estime is first- and second-down, physical, real smart, tough, real good teammate.

RD 7 Pick 235 Devaughn Vele

Vele is 26 and has five years of experience playing for Utah. He's a big slot (6'4) who could also play outside by polishing his route running. He has a great catch radius, can pluck the ball out of the air and has the body control to make acrobatic catches. Vele is fast enough to threaten vertically and pick up some yards after the catch. He needs to gain weight, improve his catching skills and become more aggressive on contested balls. He's a big target and will contend for a roster spot. A Tim Patrick clone.

RD 7 Pick 256 G Nick Gargiulo

Gargiulo's consistency, physical traits and position flexibility could earn him a backup role. He has the size, length and play strength for center/guard. Gargiulo has body control, patience and core strength in pass protection and as a run blocker, plus he's athletic enough to make blocks in space. Paton's vision of Gargiulo is guard who can swing inside. Undrafted Free Agents

*RB Blake Watson-tough as nails with three-down abilities; big play abilities off-the charts athleticism; stays on feet after initial contact; good balance; outstanding in space. Watson isn't as fast as McLaughlin, but is quicker and harder to bring down.

*OT Frank Crum-longtime starter at both right tackle and left tackle with swing abilities. Technical mess, but has athleticism, length, and size to develop.

DL Jordan Miller-toos, but poor production

DL Jaylon Allen-light, quick, athlete, pass rusher

LB Alec Mock-downhill run stopper but questions about outside the tackle box and coverage

TE Dylan Leonard-run blocker

*TE Thomas Yassmin- 6'5 246, raw with tremendous upside

LB Levelle Bailey-versatile but inconsistent tackler; good blitzer, against the run and in coverage

*S Omar Brown-Shrine Bowl standout

DL Brandon Matterson-rotational player in college

CB Quinton Newsome-tall, slime corner

WR Lincoln Victor-gadget player with shiftiness for kick returner

[*Best shot to make the 53 man roster]

Signed free-agent OG Calvin Throckmorton (1 year). Signed C Sam Mustipher (1 year). Signed DL Angelo Blackson (one-year). Signed CB Levi Wallace (1 year). Traded for QB Zack Wilson. Traded for DE John Franklin-Meyers (two years plus two voidable years/contract to be restructured).

Moving on from Russell Wilson was due to the Broncos vision of creating a new strategy for financial flexibility which is best suited to built a champion in the modern NFL era. Wilson's contract ends in 2025 and the Broncos will have an influx of more cap space than it was thought possible ($88M). Denver got a promising rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, who will be on an economical deal. Payton needs to continue to surround him with a strategically built, talented roster in 2025. Denver's Super Bowl window open in 2026.

HC Sean Payton wants to know how his quarterbacks process and how quickly based on what he will ask his quarterback to do. Before meeting with quarterback prospects, he sends the prospect study materials which exceeds what he thinks the prospect can take-in in a short time. Nix blew him away. However, Nix will have to beat out his competition (he will) to become the opening day quarterback. None of the Broncos other quarterbacks will back down from the competition but, at worst, Nix will be the starter before the end of his rookie season.

End.