2024 NFL DRAFT: 3 DENVER BRONCOS UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS TO WATCH
After a successful 2024 NFL Draft class came to a close, the Denver Broncos were diligent burning up the phone lines in pursuit of highly ranked undrafted rookie free agents. The Broncos came away with thirteen signings and a handful of rookie minicamp invites.
Denver has a storied tradition of having undrafted players make their final roster. There has only been a one season the past two decades where that hasn’t been the case. With that in mind, here are three undrafted rookie free agents I believe could surprise and have a shot at making the final 53-man roster.
Blake Watson — Running Back — Memphis (Formerly of Old Dominion)
Height: 5’9” | Weight: 189 pounds | 40-Yard Dash: 4.39 seconds
2023 Statistics: Appeared in 13 games. 192 rushing attempts, 1,152 yards (6.0 YPC) and 14 touchdowns. 53 receptions, 480 yards (9.1 YPC) and 3 Touchdowns
The Denver Broncos entered the draft with Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine as their two top backs on expiring contracts at the end of the season. Jaleel McLaughlin, an undrafted rookie free agent from 2023, was next in line on the depth chart.
In the fifth round of this year’s draft, the franchise snagged Notre Dame product Audric Estime. He is a mortal lock to make the final 53-man roster and certainly has the potential to earn a significant role with the team giving his size, physicality and production. But in undrafted free agency, the Broncos went another direction and signed electrifying running back Blake Watson out of Memphis.
After spending 2018-22 at Old Dominion, Watson was a First-Team All-American Conference player for the Tigers in ‘23. The jump a bigger conference didn’t hinder his ability to play and compete at a high level. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands, a quality receiver out of the backfield (he started his career out as a wide receiver) and has incredible speed and can take it to the house at a moment's notice. On top of that, he offers special teams potential as a returner.
If there is any player from Denver’s UDFA class who you should be watching closely—it’s Watson. I believe he will make the team’s final 53-man roster and there is a really good shot he and Estime are the Broncos’ running back duo of the future.
Frank Crum — Offensive Tackle — Wyoming
Height: 6’8” | Weight: 313 pounds | 40-Yard Dash: 4.94 seconds
Career Statistics: Appeared in 56 games, 36 starts dating back to 2019-2022 at right tackle, started 13 games at left tackle in 2023. First-Team All-Mountain West honors in ‘23.
The Broncos were able to find Alex Palczewski last year in undrafted free agency and this year Frank Crum is their addition to the tackle position. He is an experienced tackle with great length and size. Most of his career he played right tackle for the Cowboys, but he made the switch to the blind side in ‘23 and played some of his best football to date.
He has long arms (33-7/8”) that help him in pass protection, but he is a much more accomplished run blocker than he is as a pass blocker at this point in his career. He will need to improve his strength and footwork to have a shot to be a starter in the pros, but he has the physique and athleticism necessary to make it in the National Football League.
Omar Brown — Defensive Back — Nebraska
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 201 pounds | 40-Yard Dash: 4.52 seconds
2023 Statistics: 12 games, 8 starts in his final season at Nebraska. 51 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 broken up passes.
After starting out his career in the Missouri Valley Football Conference at the University of Northern Iowa, Omar Brown transferred to the Nebraska Cornhuskers this past season and finally got himself on the radar of scouts across the league.
He is a solid player who is good in coverage and has the ability to play the slot and be a split high safety at the next level. I’d like to see more ball production and improvement with the angles he takes on tackles in the open field, but he is a twitchy click-and-close defender who does a good job of keeping plays in front of him.
His instincts and athleticism will give him an opportunity to make the Broncos’ final 53-man roster. The team does have a handful of players at the position, but he could surprise and snag one of the last spots available in Denver’s defensive backfield. I wouldn’t be surprised if defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard has some say in this signing. He coached against him this past season and knows what to look for in defensive backs—considering he played at the position for many years as a pro and was successful.