ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – A wrap-up of the Denver Broncos' draft.
Best move: The second and third days of the draft are about finding value and the best scheme fits for your team. And having found players such as linebacker Danny Trevathan, defensive end Malik Jackson, center Matt Paradis and tight end Virgil Green recently on the last day of the draft, the Broncos' fourth-round selection of Utah running back Devontae Booker presented enormous value. Booker had two 1,200-yard rushing seasons for the Utes, is a quality receiver out of the backfield and should push for playing time after his knee injury heals even though the Broncos matched an offer sheet from the Miami Dolphins for C.J. Anderson and signed Ronnie Hillman to a one-year deal just before the draft.
Riskiest move: Second-round pick Adam Gotsis from Georgia Tech presents potential in the form of a 6-foot-4½-inch, 300-pound defensive lineman. The native of Australia is still relatively new to American football and is coming off ACL surgery that ended his 2015 season. The Broncos made him a top-70 selection -- he was the 63rd overall pick -- and that's quite a commitment. But Gotsis is a rare find physically. If he continues his rapid ascent on the learning curve, he will be declared a steal.
Most surprising move: It wasn't surprising they did it -- coach Gary Kubiak had promised a fullback or two would be on the way in the draft or as undrafted free agents -- but the Broncos went at the pursuit with some fervor. They used the first pick of the sixth round to select Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich. Janovich has the ability as a lead blocker the Broncos were searching for, can run the ball if needed, and will immediately contribute on special teams.
File it away: If Gotsis recovers as expected from his ACL surgery -- he suffered the injury on Halloween in a game against Virginia -- the Broncos believe they have a future impact player for their defensive line. Defensive line coach Bill Kollar stumped for Gotsis' selection and the Broncos believed in him enough to make him the 63rd player selected in the draft. Now it will be up to Kollar to see what comes next for an uncommon athlete who is still learning the ways of American football. If Kollar does his part and Gotsis does his, the Broncos will have a coveted player on the defensive front.
Thumbs up: The Broncos secured the guy they hope is the quarterback of the future in Lynch -- they traded up five spots in the first round to do it after they believed the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns were trying to move in front of them to take Lynch. Gotsis was a bit of a reach in the second round but has enormous potential. The Broncos found top-shelf value in the third day with Booker in the fourth round and Missouri guard Connor McGovern in the fifth round. Drafting Syracuse punter Riley Dixon in the seventh might have been a reach. -- Jeff Legwold