The Broncos had seven picks on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Get to know the new players coming to Denver after the Broncos took outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and tight end Greg Dulcich on Day 2.
CB Damarri Mathis
Butch Dill, The Associated Press
Cornerback Damarri Mathis of Pittsburgh (21) and wide receiver Romeo Doubs of Nevada (7) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala.
Round/pick: 4th/No. 115
Age: 23
Height/weight: 5-11/196
College: pittsburgh
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Remarkable: After missing the 2020 season due to a torn labrum suffered during a preseason boxing workout, Mathis bounced back in 2021. He was Pitt’s top cover corner, starting all 13 games with six pass break-ups and two interceptions. He gives Denver additional depth at a corner, a position the Broncos have been razor-thin at over the past couple seasons.
DL Eyioma Uwazurike
Round/pick: 4th/No. 116
Age: 23
Height/weight: 6-6/316
College: Iowa State
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Remarkable: Uwazurike will be an end or nose in Denver’s 3-4 scheme. Wherever he fits, the big man’s versatility and effectiveness against the pass and run are obvious. In 2021, the first-team All-Big 12 selection had 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He’s quick enough to get to the quarterback but, at 300-plus pounds, he can also clog up run lanes.
S Delarrin Turner-Yell
Ray Carlin, The Associated Press
Oklahoma safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (32) celebrates his interception against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
Round/pick: 5th/No. 152
Age: 23
Height/weight: 5-11/200
College: Oklahoma
Hometown: Hempstead, Texas.
Remarkable: Turner-Yell was a defensive centerpiece at Oklahoma, where he started 31 of his 40 career games with 191 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four interceptions. Three of those picks came in 2021 when he was a second-team All-Big 12 selection. He profiles as a backup alongside Caden Sterns and more competition for Jamar Johnson and PJ Locke.
WR/RS Montrell Washington
John Raoux, The Associated Press
Samford wide receiver Montrell Washington (4) runs past Florida defenders during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla.
Round/pick: 5th/No. 172
Age: 23
Height/weight: 5-10/170
College: Samford
Hometown: Canton, Ga.
Remarkable: The Broncos are already set with their core wideouts, but they need a return man, and that’s where Washington comes in. He had five career touchdown returns in college, including three last year. A fast and shifty returner in open space who can make the most of accelerating through small creases. Diontae Spencer’s successor may have been found.
OL Luke Wattenberg
Round/pick: 5th/No. 171
Age: 24
Height/weight: 6-4/300
College: Washington
Hometown: Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Remarkable: Wattenberg started 27 games at left guard across 2018 and ’19 for the Huskies, then switched to center in his final two seasons, with 12 starts at the position last year. He was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention and projects as backup interior line depth in 2022, with the ability to play center as well as either of the guard spots in case of injury.
DL Matt Henningsen
Charles Rex Arbogast, The Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago.
Round/pick: 6th/No. 206
Age: 23
Height/weight: 6-3/289
College: Wisconsin
Hometown: Menomonee Falls, Wisc.
Remarkable: A strong, heady player who adds to the Broncos’ defensive depth up front, Henningsen walked on at Wisconsin in 2018 and became the first walk-on freshman in 18 years to start the season opener. He had 91 tackles (13 for loss) and eight sacks in 42 games for Wisconsin, and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (the “academic Heisman”) in 2021.
C.B. Faion Hicks
Morris Gash, The Associated Press
Wisconsin’s Faion Hicks breaks up a pass intended for Michigan’s Daylen Baldwin during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Round/pick: 7th/No. 232
Age: 22
Height/weight: 5-10/189
College: Wisconsin
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Remarkable: Hicks played in 33 games (28 starts) for the Badgers, with 80 total tackles and one interception in his career. With his selection of him, GM George Paton continues to fortify the secondary depth and Hicks will likely also be asked to contribute on special teams. There’s no questioning Hicks’ speed of him, as he stood out at Wisconsin’s pro day with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash.
