The Denver Broncos picked up eight players in the 2016 NFL draft.
Paxton Lynch, Round 1, pick 26
The Broncos traded up from the No. 31 spot to No. 26 to draft Lynch.
Lynch is a 6'7" quarterback from Memphis.
“Paxton was the guy we had targeted," said John Elway, vice president of football operations and general manager for the Broncos. "He was the guy, and we’re thrilled to have him.”
Lynch joins a quarterback group that includes Mark Sanchez and 2015 seventh-round draft pick Trevor Siemian.
"It’s a blessing to be here to say the least. I never thought in a million years that I’d have the opportunity to play NFL football. But the good Lord has kept his eye on me and helped me through all of this. I’m very thankful for Mr. Elway, [Owner] Mr. [Pat] Bowlen, [Head] Coach [Gary] Kubiak and the whole organization for giving me this opportunity," Lunch said during his introductory news conference at team headquarters Friday.
Read more about Lynch here.
Adam Gotsis, Round 2, Pick 63
Elway selected Georgia Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsiswith the final pick of the second round.
Gotsis is recovering from a torn ACL suffered on Oct. 31. He said he hopes to be back on the field by training camp.
Born in Australia, he played Australian Rules Football before moving to the United States at age 19.
"The league that I played in, you'd go down and you'd pay $300 and get some insurance, practice once a week and play once a week. It was just guys that loved the game," Gotsis said. "I just wanted to be out there having fun, having to run around. That's what it was. There weren't 5,000 people in the stands or anything. There were 30 people surrounded by a roped off field. It was just guys out there loving the game."
Gotsis will help plug a hole left by Malik Jackson's departure to Jacksonville in free agency.
Justin Simmons, Round 3, Pick 98
Elway chose Boston College's versatile safety Justin Simmons at the end of the third round, hoping to improve a defensive backfield that lost free agents David Bruton Jr. and Omar Bolden.
Simmons adds versatility to Denver's safety corps that features T.J. Ward and Darrian Stewart and it is hoped he can also contribute right away on special teams.
"He's going to fill a lot of roles on our football team," Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said. "But the biggest thing that he gives us the ability to do defensively is to have some flexibility with T.J. being a box player and Stew being in the middle of the field. This kid can go either way. ... So, we've added a big piece to the puzzle, obviously losing Bruton. So, this is a great gift to the team."
Devontae Booker, Round 4, pick 136
Booker is a 5'11" running back from Utah.
He's expected to compete with CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman.
ESPNsaid Booker who had two 1,200-yard rushing seasons for the Utes, is a quality receiver out of the backfield and should push for playing time after his knee injury heals.
The Broncos said Booker holds a school record for career rushing average (120.6 yards per game). He suffered a torn meniscus last season.
Connor McGovern, Round 5, Pick 144
McGovern is a guard from Missouri.
ESPN called McGovern and Booker top-shelf quality.
The Broncos said McGovern put up 33 reps on the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine, the second-most among offensive linemen.
"McGovern will further strengthen a Broncos offensive line that’s already added veteran tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson this offseason," the Broncos said. "He was college teammates with Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray."
Andy Janovich, Round 6, pick 176
Janovich is a fullback from Nebraska.
ESPN said, "Janovich has the ability as a lead blocker the Broncos were searching for, can run the ball if needed, and will immediately contribute on special teams."
The Broncos said Janovich was primarily a lead blocker for the Huskers who also had three touchdowns his senior season.
Will Parks, Round 6, pick 219
Parks is a 6'1" safety from Arizona.
The Broncossaid Parks graded out as the fifth-best safety in the country against the run in ProFootballFocus.com's metrics.
The Broncos said Parks could end up working on the second team behind Ward if he can beat out recent veteran signees Shiloh Keo and Brandian Ross.
Riley Dixon, Round 7, pick 228
Dixon is a 6'4" punter from Syracuse.
The Broncos now have three punters on the roster -- Britton Colquitt, who has been with the team since 2010, and Will Johnson, who was signed over the winter.
Read more fromESPNand the Broncos.