NFL Draft 2017: Denver Broncos first-round grade

The Denver Broncos selected tackle, Garett Bolles with the 20th pick in the NFL draft

Many questioned how the Broncos decline so much from their Super Bowl state to missing the playoffs. While the easy excuse was Peyton Manning retiring and Trevor Siemian stepping in, that is the easy, and arguably lazy excuse. One of the big differences was that the offensive line regressed in a major way. The team experimented with Russell Okung and it did not pay off. They entered the draft with Donald Stephenson, Ty Sambrailo and Menelik Watson as their options at tackle. Needless to say, tackle is not a strong point on the roster.

The Broncos knew that, and addressed that with their first pick in the NFL draft with their selection of Garett Bolles. Bolles is only 25 years old, and only has one year of major college starting experience. However, he plays with a lot of force, and anger. He is a tremendous athlete, can move and shift his feet, and the combination of power and finesse is exactly why he was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.

While Bolles is an older rookie coming into the NFL, it is what the Broncos need. This is a team still in win now mode with their defense, and they have their future quarterback in Paxton Lynch. Despite being 25, Bolles is more pro ready, mature and physically capable of providing a big impact immediately.

Drafting a player with an instant impact, taking the first player from his position, having it be their biggest need and doing it by standing pat at pick 20 has to be looked at as a win. It is still early, but the Broncos clearly got their guy and won the early stages of the draft with one of the safest and smartest picks of the top 20.

First Round Grade: A