If there is any team in the NFL that knows how to find diamonds it’s the Denver Broncos. There are very few undrafted free agents that make it into the NFL due to 53-man roster limits. Somehow, Denver seems to strike gold when picking the guys that fall on draft day. Some of the most notable Denver Broncos UDFAs they have found in recent years are Chris Harris Jr and Shaquil Barrett. Arguably the most notable undrafted free agent the Broncos ever signed was wide receiver Rod Smith. This year’s crop of UFDAs looks to have a few raw materials that could turn into diamonds for Denver.
Denver Broncos UDFA Class
Hands down the most decorated name in this class is wide receiver Zimari Manning out of Tarleton State. The five-time All-American became the first wide receiver to finish top three in Harlon Hill voting since Pittsburg State’s Ronnie West won in 1991. Manning hauled in 68 passes for 1,462 yards and 22 touchdowns leading Tarleton to an undefeated season. He chose not to participate in any off-season bowl games to heal a foot injury suffered during the season. Manning possesses all the attributes to make this Denver Broncos roster but faces a loaded receiver room in training camp.
Wake Forest was a favorite school for the Denver Broncos taking linebacker Justin Strnad in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. They followed that up by signing his fellow teammates Essang Bassey and Kendall Hinton shortly after the draft ended. Bassey has all the makings to be the next Chris Harris Jr in Denver. He has the second-most career pass breakups (50) of any active FBS player and the most snaps (863) played without a penalty. Bassey will see the majority of his snaps as a slot corner which will suit him perfectly. Kendall Hinton was a quarterback when he enrolled at Wake Forest transitioning to wide receiver as an upperclassman. Hinton was a star as he caught 73 passes for 1,001 yards.
UDFA’s I like/think could make a roster:
Ravens: QB Tyler Huntley
Titans: DT Teair Tart
Broncos: CB Essang Bassey
Chiefs: CB Lavert HIll
Lions: TE Hunter Bryant
Falcons: TE Jared Pinkney
Saints: LB Joe Bachie
Bucs: CB Parnell Motley
Rams: WR Easop Winston— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) April 27, 2020
Rounding out Denver’s offensive signings are running back LeVante Bellamy, offensive lineman Hunter Watts, and quarterback Riley Neal. MAC Offensive Player of the year and league MVP, Bellamy led the nation in rushing touchdowns with 23. He is a little undersized at 5’9” and 195 pounds but that did nothing to stop current Denver Broncos star, Phillip Lindsay when people knocked him for his similar body type. Neal and Watts appear to only be camp bodies at the best with no real shot at making the roster or practice squad.
The Denver Broncos media thought that safety might be a position of interest for them in the NFL Draft. Instead, they chose to wait till after the draft and sign former Texas Tech defensive back Douglas Coleman III. Coleman is coming off a breakout year for the Red Raiders after securing eight interceptions this season. He has a real shot to make the roster seeing that there is little depth behind starting safeties, Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. He would likely back up Simmons since he fits more as a free safety in the NFL.
Final Thoughts
This Denver Broncos UFDA class has the potential to develop some raw prospects into real contributors down the line. Both receivers Manning and Hinton face steep battles coming into training camp. Manning played against nobodies at Tarleton State so it will be interesting to see how he fares against better players. Hinton might surprise some people as a good option in the slot but with Denver drafting K.J. Hamler I don’t see him getting on the field often.
The only players that show any real chance of making this roster are Bellamy, Bassey, and Coleman III due to less competition at their positions. Bellamy slots in as the fourth running back on this team as it stands now but that could change if the Broncos decide to move on from Royce Freeman. Coleman III’s eight interceptions this past season is nothing to be glossed over and shows he has a real nose for the ball. He could very well play himself into a backup role to Justin Simmons as the team’s third option at safety. Essang Bassey is the player to watch in training camp and OTAs this upcoming season. He has amazing instincts for a defensive back and just needs some coaching on his tackling technique to complete his game.
