With no draft choices in the seventh round, the Broncos front office was able to start on its list of potential college free agents to pursue at the conclusion of the draft.
As soon as Mr. Irrelevant was announced, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway and General Manager Brian Xanders began working the phones and a few hours later the team announced that it has agreed to terms with 12 undrafted college free agents.
UPDATE: Later in the evening, the Broncos added a 13th, Toledo wide receiver Eric Page.
“It’s very important because there’s still draftable players on that board that we’re trying to get,” Xanders said. “We put them in A’s, B’s, and C’s. We’re trying to recruit those guys and have them become Broncos. We’ve had some success there and every team does. It’s an important part for us. Chris Harris is an example, last year he led all DBs in tackles. You have Colquitt who’s a good punter, and Woodyard. All the way through there’s been some historical ones. We hope they compete with these draft picks and try to create their own role on this football team. Coach is great about playing the best guys. So they have an opportunity for that and they’ve worked hard in their careers. There’s some guys who are still on our board.”
A college free agent has made Denver’s active roster out of training camp the last eight seasons, including cornerback Chris Harris last year. Overall, 13 rookie college free agents have made the Broncos’ active roster out of camp since 1997.
Below are some quick hits on each player the Broncos signed following the draft:
Defensive end Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma State
Blatnick finished his career at Oklahoma State with 118 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks. He led the team with 13.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks as a senior in 2011. Blatnick was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection during his time with the Cowboys.
Long snapper Aaron Brewer San Diego State
Brewer appeared in all 50 possible games during his four-year career at San Diego State. He finished with 15 special-teams tackles and was a four-time All-Academic Mountain West Conference selection during his time with the Aztecs.
Linebacker Elliot Coffey, Baylor
A two-year starter at Baylor, Coffey earned All-Big 12 honors and was named the 2011 Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP. He led the Bears with 114 total tackles and ranked fourth in the conference with 8.8 tackles per game in 2011. Coffey totaled 224 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during his college career.
Linebacker Jerry Franklin, Arkansas
Franklin led Arkansas with 101 tackles in 2011, marking the second straight season that the linebacker topped the 100-tackle mark. He finished his Razorbacks career with 382 tackles, including 31.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
Safety Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State
Ihenacho became the first San Jose State player to earn three first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors. Played 47 games for the Spartans and finished with 268 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. He and his brother, Carl, a defensive end at San Jose State became the first known brother tandem in NCAA history to lead the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) or Division I-A in separate major statistical categories in the same week. Following the games played on October 18, 2008, Duke shared the national lead with four interceptions in seven games and Carl tied for the top spot in tackles for loss with 14.0.
Linebacker Steven Johnson, Kansas
For the second year in a row, the Broncos pick up a Kansas defender as Johnson will try to duplicate the success of Harris, who appeared in all 16 games for Denver in 2011 after making the roster as a college free agent. Johnson attended the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and put up 16 reps of 225 lbs. A team captain for the Jayhawks in 2011, Johnson led the Big 12 in tackles with 124 stops his senior season. He finished his four-year career with 229 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks.
Cornerback Coryell Judie, Texas A&M
Judie played seven games in 2011 for Texas A&M and finished with 22 tackles, one sack and five pass breakups. He also contributed in the return game, totaling eight kick returns for 201 yards (25.1 avg.) as a senior. Judie finished his college career with 79 tackles and four interceptions in his two seasons with the Aggies. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2010, a 100-yard return and an 84-yard return.
Tight end Anthony Miller, California
Miller earned a spot on the watch list for the John Mackey Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top tight end for the second straight season in 2011. He played 46 games, registering of 64 receptions for 774 yards and five touchdowns during his time at Cal.
Offensive lineman Mike Remmers, Oregon State
Remmers finished his career with 37 consecutive starts and his 44 total starts rank sixth in Oregon State history. Remmers was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given annually to the best player in the country that began his career as a walk-on. He earned All-Pacific-10 Conference honors as a junior in 2010.
WR Gerell Robinson, Arizona State
The third Sun Devil added by the team during the draft process, Robinson finished his career with 135 career receptions for 2,071 yards and 12 touchdowns in 47 games (25 starts). Robinson and Broncos second-round Brock Osweiler connected for 77 receptions for 1,397 yards and seven touchdowns, all career highs for the receiver. His 1,397 receiving yards marked the second-highest single-season total in school history and the 77 receptions tied him for third most in a single season by a Sun Devil.
Offensive lineman Wayne Tribue, Temple
Tribue earned All-Mid American Conference honors after playing in all 13 games for the Owls in 2011. He has an interesting story, as he spent time as a child in Egypt where some of his fondest memories came from riding camels. Tribue received the 2012 Temple Teammates Community Service Award and was named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Offensive lineman Austin Wuebbels, Missouri
Earned All-Big 12 honors during the 2010 season, which was his first year as a starter for the Tigers. He finished his career with 26 consecutive starts over his final two years. Wuebbels was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree at Missouri.
UPDATE: Later in the night, the team announced that it had agreed to terms with a 13th undrafted free agent, wide receiver Eric Page out of Toledo.
Wide Receiver Eric Page, Toledo
Page finished his college career with 306 receptions for 3,446 yards with 25 receiving touchdowns. Toledo’s all-time receptions leader, Page caught 125 passes for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2011. His 306 catches tied for the all-time Mid American receptions record. Page earned first-team All-America honors as a kick returner in 2010.
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: College Free Agents
According to Denverbroncos.com its assigned to Caldwell.
Brock can “buy” the nuber from Caldwell if Caldwell is willing to part with it.
Btw, did you see Wolfe’s presser? He said he had a ton of contact with Baltimore (which I love), and when they didn’t take him in the first he walked away from everyone b/c he didn’t want them to see him get mad.. I bet this kid has a TON of aggression, and I’m so PUMPED he’s on our team!
He wore 17 in high school too
Oops, I should refresh my page before posting. I was talking about Brock.
OT No I havnt watched any of the pressers with our draft picks.
No, you’re good fM, I went off topic.. Good to know he wore #17 in high school too, sounds like he’ll work it out with Caldwell.
I bet our #17 wins the big one before SD’s..
Check out the multimedia tab on this website, some good videos. Wolfe, Osweiler, and Hillman all sound like great kids!
OT, I had Derek on my draft because what I saw of him he just always played nasty. Just the way I like em.
For anyone who’s interested, Peyton Manning and Eric Decker are at the Rockies game today…Rockies/Mets tied 5-5 in the 10th. Helton game off the bench to hit a grand slam!
buck – I honestly didn’t know much about Wolfe before the draft. But I absolutely love everything I see, read, and hear about him. There is NO chance this kid would have made it to #57, he would’ve been LONG gone. NFL GM’s do not read media created mock drafts, so I don’t care if he was “projected” to go later, it would’ve have happened
I was hoping he would have been there later as I was sold on Martin with 25. I’m glad we got him.
*came
I don’t follow the college game, and do not think the Broncos had a good draft at all. And just have a general question.
I’ve heard former players say that one of the things to look at when evaluating a potential draft pick is who they played against.
Do you agree/disagree?
I liked Martin as well, as did a lot of people here, but I think we did the right thing. Long gone are the days that you build behind the RB position, and Wolfe is the kind of guy who contribute for the next 10+ years. Plus, it didn’t work out last time we drafted a RB with our first pick…
Amen to that OT. I think 17-who-must-not-be-named is my least favorite QB in all of football. I remember one interview before a game with Denver (back when Cutler was a Bronco) where he claimed something along the lines of “my mouth is a raging wildfire that I just can’t stop”. Instant dislike.
*it wouldn’t have happened… Lol
You’re right OT,I just thought with McGahee getting some miles on him we needed to take Martin, The FO must have seen something in Hillman and I wouldn’t second guess them.
Mel Kiper bold prediction just said Derek Wolf will out produce Fletcher Cox Dontari Poe every DT in the draft i am liking that
Blade – it’s a valid point, but doesn’t always hold true. Plus, Wolfe played in the Big East, the same conference that Bruce Irving (#15 overall), Chandler Jones (#21 overall), Kendall Reyes (#49 overall), and Isaiah Pead (#50 overall) played.
So Derek Wolfe, the most productive DT in the entire draft, at #36 overall, is right inline with those picks IMO
I like to look at the first step, how much speed and is there power with the hands. He seems to have a strong motor and very quick step. I hope Kiper is right.
Interesting.
Hopefully, it all works out.
Trust me, I know it sounds weird b/c many of us never heard of the kid, and I was a little puzzled at first, but I really think we got a great value with this pick given what I’m hearing about him. The fact that the Ravens were looking to take him with their first pick speaks volumes, and don’t forget we traded down twice, granted we could have gotten more, which is on Xanders IMO
Well the Rockies AND the Nuggets lost today….. What a bummer
Yes, the Broncos could have gotten more, but they didn’t. My faith in the front office was not increased by this draft.
Why didn’t the Ravens take him?
All I know is I have not heard or read ONE negative thing about this guy. Apparently he has a none stop motor, and never takes a play off, and even fights through blocks even when the play is out of his area. He plays to the whistle. He has huge heart, and plays with a chip on his shoulder, and with a mean streak. Those are all things you can not teach, and the biggest reason why prospects fail.
They didnt take Wolfe because Courtney Upshaw fell to them.
I am super excited to see Hillman in action this year. He is gonna be our Darren Sproles! McGehee and Hillman will make a dynamic duo. Ahhh I can’t wait!!!!
The Ravens also traded down, planning on taking Wolfe from what I’ve heard, but when Upshaw made it to them, they couldn’t pass up on him. I just like that the Ravens liked Wolfe, b/c they clearly know defense
I hope #95 is available for Derek! Lol
Got all the BBBPs. Great to see some new blood.
CLARIFICATION:
There are 2 selection periods, first from now until 1st pre-season game, second from 1st pre-season to end of last pre-season game. You may make 2 BBBPs each in these periods. If you wish your BBBP to be about pre-season performance, no problem. Hadn’t thought about that posibility when I first set this fun and games up.
Do yall think elway is pulling all the strings when it comes to the draft and if he is do yall think it a good idea. I look at dallas with jerry jones and he is the reason the cowboys have not won a playoff game n forever. What do yall think.
I THINK WOLFE WAS FOX
AND OSWIELER WAS ELWAYS
HILLMAN WAS PEYTONS
AND THE REST WERE MCCOYS AND DEL RIOS
I HAVE NO CLUE
Everyone should watch this if you haven’t already.. The kid is a beast, and will give us everything he’s got on every play..
http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/End-of-Draft-Press-Conference/607063ff-87c5-4d96-957a-d9116561203e#?id=9c2496ac-38bc-4c55-a636-1cad5a3d4f29
WHO OT ELWAY?
No I dont think Elway pulls all the strings or has all the power. I do think a lot of it though is run through him.
The GM normally is in charge of trades but I think before it goes through everyone agrees on it. Thats why I put most of the bad trades we got on Xanders but Fox and Elway couldve said he lets try for a little more.
I think Fox was a big part of why we went with Wolfe. OSweiler was Elways guy no doubt about that. Hillman was because of Peyton (Same with UDFA Page) Blake was all about Peyton and keeping him upright. Bolden Jackson and Trevathan were all Fox and JDR IMO.
I really like how the draft turned out more and more as I think about it. Only thing I dont like were the crap trades that make no sense if the pick we were trading was hot. What we have done with UDFAs also makes me really happy! We will have a lot of competition for roster spots during training camp and the preseason.
Click on the Wolfe presser, I love this kid!!!
You bring up an interesting point about Jones, because Elway is probably going to be the owner before the end of this decade.
I don’t know how reliable Woody Paige is, but he thinks the draft was all Elway’s.
http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_20506093/john-elway-2012-nfl-draft
OT Watching the 1 on 1 interview with the picks Hillman looks even faster than in his film!!!!!
If/when John Elway ends up owning the team, I think he will be a Jerry Jones Al Davis kind of owner and very very involved with what the team does.
Every owner is involved in the decisions but Jones and Davis are even more so. I think thats how Elway will be if/when he owns the Denver Broncos.
One thing i did read on the denver post that i thought was kind of crazy was oswilers contract will b up before mannings. So we will have to resign him maybe before he ever starts.
No one knows for sure, but I think Elway is smart enough (Stanford grad) and has enough business sense to surround himself with good people (John Fox, Jack Del Rio, and Mike McCoy), to help him make decisions. Yes, Elway has final say, but you are fooling yourself if you think he is ruling the team with iron fist, and just making all decisions on his own.
Without that illusion, the media would not have a “story”
I really like the draft for the Broncos … you have to understand, from their Draft position it’s not realistic to expect an “A” draft, although it could happen … you should really rank their draft against what their needs were and how they filled them and with what kind of players … I’m SURE BO was Elway’s pick – he wanted him there, and he was going to get him … you can argue w/ the logic, but it’s Elway’s logic, and he holds the cards … as for Wolfe, any guy who would be shoveling pig-crap in the farm lot the day of the draft earns my respect … that’s the kind of guy who will go to war with you … it’ll be exciting to see how these guys progress … one more good draft and EGX should be on solid footing …
Man I love how we the fans find some things out about players as to why they fall after the draft.
Polks degenerative shoulder. Billy Winn has asthma reportedly and another health concern. Ta’amu has an issue with his foot I guess.
Reason why Worthy and Still fell, teams didnt like their attitudes and views on the game. Curry fell because teams question if he wouldve been able to learn NFL playbooks.
Man woulda been nice to know before lol.
Lamar Miller to he was maybe gonna go in the first round and i think he went in the fourth.
OT dont know if that was directed towards me or not but I wasnt trying to say he rules with an iron fist. I believe they make their choices as a group and vote on them.
And as a Owner I think he would be really involved like Jones and Davis are. But not to the point where the team MUST do what he wants. I think decisions would still be made by vote.
Miller too but the guys I named are the only ones who I have found some kind of reason for their fall so far. All i know of Miller it durability concerns. Not sure if there is a certain thing (Like a knee or foot or shoulder or something)
Lol. Nah AB, that wasn’t directed towards you. No worries. I agree with your comment on how Elway will end up owning the team, and will always be very involved in operations. I was just responding to the question if Elway makes all the decisions, and like I said, I think he has hired the guys to help and doesn’t just do what he wants with a reckless abandon as some people suggest in the media.
I liked that Ta’amu cat, but I don’t think his body will hold up for the long haul being that heavy and already having foot problems. There are so many things that are taken into to consideration that us fans have no idea… Lol
Ok OT I wasnt sure. Thought I would double check. Like I said before he will be a Davis Jones type of owner with how involved but he wont be “my way or the highway” like Davis and Jones were/are