The Broncos added 10 rookies through the NFL Draft this weekend, then followed that up by signing 15 undrafted free agents. Now the team has added two more college free agents on Tuesday — linebackers Braxton Kelley (University of Kentucky) and Jeff Schweiger (San Jose State University).
To make room, the club waived tight end Adam Bergen and wide receiver Jayson Foster.
The two rookies’ bios, provided by the superb Denver Broncos PR staff, are after the jump.
Kelley (6-foot-0, 230 pounds) totaled 287 tackles (175 solo), 6.5 sacks (30 yds.), four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six pass breakups in 46 career games (42 starts) at Kentucky… Spent his first three seasons at middle linebacker before primarily playing weakside linebacker for the Wildcats as a senior… Named one of two team captains as a senior in 2008 for UK and earned the school’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award after registering a team and career-high 98 tackles (49 solo), four sacks (21 yds.), two pass breakups and two forced fumbles as a 13-game starter… Ranked eighth in the Southeastern Conference in tackles per game (7.5) in 2008, earning second-team all-conference honors from Phil Steele’s College Football… Had 63 tackles (34 solo) in 13 games (12 starts) as a junior for the Wildcats in 2007… Posted 82 tackles (57 solo) in 13 games (10 starts) as a sophomore… Received Freshman All-America honors from Rivals.com (second team) and The Sporting News (third team) while being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2005, totaling 44 tackles (35 solo) and one sack (1 yd.) in seven games (7 starts) that year… Earned All-Georgia recognition from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at LaGrange High School in LaGrange, Ga.… Twin brother, Brandon, plays defensive line at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn…. Was a high school and college teammate of current Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard… Majored in kinesiology at Kentucky… Braxton Kelley was born on Oct. 24, 1986, in LaGrange, Ga.
Schweiger (6-foot-5, 276 pounds) saw time at defensive end in college, playing for San Jose State as a senior after competing for the University of Southern California during his first three collegiate seasons… Totaled 26 tackles (6 solo) and 1.5 sacks (14 yds.) while placing second on the team with two fumble recoveries in nine games (6 starts) as a senior in 2008 at San Jose State… Did not play in 2007 due to NCAA transfer rules but practiced with San Jose State and received its Scout Team Award… Credited with 31 tackles (14 solo), two sacks and one pass breakup in 25 games during three seasons at USC… Was part of USC’s National Championship team in 2004 as a freshman and finished the campaign with 18 tackles (7 solo), two sacks and one pass breakup… Added 11 stops (5 solo) as a sophomore and two tackles as a junior for the Trojans… Named a first-team All-American and the Gatorade California Player of the Year as a senior at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, Calif…. Collected 140 tackles, 18 sacks, 15 pass breakups and four fumble recoveries during his final prep season… Selected to play in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl… Father, Jeff Schweiger, played football at San Jose State and started for the school at defensive end from 1979-80… Majored in philosophy at San Jose State… Jeff Schweiger was born on Jan. 1, 1986, in San Jose, Calif.
Let him tell it all the player in Denver or the state of Colorado. Don’t really have love for there team. They just collecting a check cuz they not from there. lol A great man once said ” You may can hide, but once you speak or write. Your words will show your maturity and character!) Game-Over
Who is this Nick Gresien or K. everyone talking about? The Nick G. used to play with the Ravens and if thats the gut he won’t start. He will be a special teamer.
It could be Braxton Kelley he’s the other LB we signed out of CFA
so who do you guys think will be the hardest in our division probally the stupid chargers. i think what mcd is doing and the additions we’ll be ready for them and the rest of our hard schedule. what teams should we be worried about in the schedule. and what do you guys think about the chicago preseason game.
Ok Defi will see about him. Of course the Chargers will be our foes. We have to prepare for the worst against Eagles, Steelers, Ravens, Colts, and Giants. Maybe the Redskins and Pats.
well the pats, steelers, our at home so hopefully that will help. im also hoping since we have a new coach with new plays and system that will kinda be a element of suprise. espeacialy the ones in our division. they wont know how to prepare really besides watching tape. what do you think.
Like every year the Chargers are the only team that worries us. It’s depressing that they make it to the playoff, but luckily they often get knocked out the first game lol. The only team I would cheer for in the AFC West besides us is the Chiefs. Raiders will never make it as long as Al Davis is the owners, I feel sorry for you guys I really do
i think moreno will be a great fantasy player. excited about what he can do for us. can’t put him up there with LT or AP but with his potential and our offensive line he certainly will be on a lot of fantasy teams.
Heres my dream ready? The Broncos go 4 and out and its a turn over as the offense is walking off the field, Rivers is walking on the field with his cronies and start talking trash to Orton and Orton just laughs it off. The next play the NT gets off the line so quickly he gets past the center and before Rivers can hand the ball off he gets HAMMERED, fumbles the ball. Its scooped up and ran back for a touchdown and the Broncos have the lead with only 3 mins on the clock
oh and to make it better its a season ending hit to Rivers 
alright folks…he is probably going to be here for a while so lets start spelling his name correct right now. It’s knowSHON. lol
I like this Braxton Kelley. Do you know who else was a UFA from Kentucky? None other than Wesley Woodyard! Perhaps Kelley is just as good!
Finally we got a back a real one, not another Shanahan undrafted lottery pick !!!! I dont know about the rest of you guys, but i was so sick of him thinking he could throw anybody back there and crank out a 1,000. Peyton probably would have done it if he started all year but he was in good company in college McFadden and Jones. Yeah this Braxton Kelley definitely looks like a good pick up… Is it September yet damn i wanna see my Broncos on the field with this remodeled team.
DEAR COACH JMAC AND GM XANDERS YOU SHOULD TAKE A HARD LOOK AT LARRY FOOTE OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS. HE COULD BE AN ANSWER AT THE MIDDLE LINEBACKER POSITION… WHICH WE STILL DO NEED DESPERATELY.
Deify….Mondono just reappeared on the last thread (Coops), said he was on a fishing trip so he should be posting again. To Williams55LB to say the only real fans live in Denver is moronic. My wife is in the military and I have retired from the military and we are Bronco fans and have been since birth. Greatness and UUB good to see you taking the moral high road on that one. Gresien I’m afraid will turn into the niko of last year…But if Bronco Country can accept his signing as a pure special team move and not expect anything from him on D…He could be our long needed special team replacement for Gold.
Williams55LB just tries to start fights on the internet for no reason other than the lack of maturity that he has.
Everyone should pay no attention to his comments as I’m sure a moderator will read them and his computer IP address will soon be banned from the site.
I’m a bit suprised we are signing so many CFA, but some of them look pretty descent. I really think with the 17 or whatever undrafted rookies there should be a “diamond in the rough”. As we all know there was a guy by the name of Rod Smith that went undrafted, and now look at what he has done. So I really hope we can find s few of those types of guys with all these undrafted rookies.
Out of Buckhalter, Jordan, Torrain, Arrington, and Young I bet 1 or 2 of those guys won’t make the 53 man roster. I hope Knowshon will do awesome for us. With Orton at QB, and Knowshon at HB, and all our other weapons our O is going to be pretty good. I think that our D is going to be great this season. All the analysist talking “ohh the Broncos didn’t draft a front 7″ or “they need a D line” all that other BS. Man we got some good up front players and LBs. I know transistioning to a 3-4 may be hard but they haven’t even given our guys a chance. They are soley basing theip opinion on last years performace wth “Slowik” being the DC, come on. Even the best D player would look like an idiot with “Slowik” coaching the D.
Go Broncos!!!!! We are going to have a good year because all the experts think that we are not going to. We’ll shut them up.
I’M BACK! And here is my assesment of the Draft,
Round/Pick – Player, Position, School
1st/12th – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia B+. I would’ve chose a Defensive player, and there were plenty available.
1st/18th – Robert Ayers, DE/OLB, Tennessee A. Looks like Mr. Nolan got who He wanted.
2nd/5th – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest B. I didn’t understand this one at the time but I like the value here.
2nd/16th – Darcel McBath, S, Texas Tech C. This one shocks me I had McBath going in the 5th round, I hope Coach McDaniels and Coach Donatell see something here to get Him so early.
2nd/32nd – Richard Quinn, TE, UNC C-. Again I had Quinn going in the 5th round this guy better be special.
4th/14th – David Bruton, S, Notre Dame A. We are lucky this guy was still on the board.
4th/32nd – Seth Olsen, OT, Iowa C. Ok value
5th/5th – Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina B+ I like this guy He may really be someone in a year or two.
6th/1st – Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno St. A. this is a good value
7th/16th – Blake Schlueter, C, TCU B. another good value for the round.
Overall not a Great Draft, and not a Bad Draft. B!
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
I wonder IF The Broncos choose Ron Brace at the #37th pick would Alphonso Smith still be there at #48th pick? Instead The Broncos pick Alphonso, and Pat’s move up and take Brace at #40. Very disappointing.
I love the fact Coach McDaniels is looking at so many undrafted FA’s. The Broncos Must sure up the NT position!
With,
DT
Parker, J’Vonne DT 6′ 4″ 325
Powell, Carlton DT 6′ 3″ 300
Askew, Matthias DT 6′ 5″ 302
Clemons, Nic DT 6′ 6″ 300
Fields, Ronald DT 6′ 2″ 315
Thomas, Marcus DT 6′ 3″ 305
and now, Baker, Chris DT 6′ 2″ 326 We may just do that. We also may find a DE in that group.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
With the additions of the Rookie out of Tennessee Robert Ayers DE/LB 6′ 3″ 272 The Broncos have a slew of talent to choose from.
DE/LB:
Crowder, Tim DE 6′ 4″ 275
Davis, Rulon DE 6′ 5″ 281
Dumervil, Elvis DE 5′ 11″ 260
McBean, Ryan DE 6′ 5″ 290
Moss, Jarvis DE 6′ 6″ 265
Pedescleaux, Everette DE 6′ 6″ 305
Peterson, Kenny DL 6′ 3″ 300
Reid, Darrell DL/LB 6′ 2″ 288
I also think Marcus Thomas can play the DE position in the 3-4.
I think The Broncos are going to do just fine.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
We now have 15 players fighting for, upto 4 starting positions on the DLine and upto 4 backups and 2 specialty players. I could see The Broncos keeping 10 out of the bunch and maybe signing a few to the practice squad, if they clear waivers. Thats alot of evaluating for 3 or 4 positions.
Change.
It’s Beautiful.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Good analysis, monodono. These are all good players but are they potentially GREAT? We need at least 2 GREAT players on the D 7. I still like the idea of looking closely at Foote. He is definitely a GREAT player. Sorry about the caps but I wanted to emphasize the word GREAT. That’s what we need to win.
Griesen was a giant
Offensive Overall Rank in 2009: 5th
Passing Offense: 3rd
Rushing Offense: 10th
Defenice Overall Rank in 2009: 6th
Pass Defense: 2nd
Rush Defense: 12th
Chris Baker (NT), Rulon Davis (DE), DJ Johnson (CB), Lee Robinson (ILB), Everette Pedescleaux (DE)
All those players have the potential to be good. Especially the first 4