With training camp around the corner, the Broncos ink seven rookies

The Broncos were busy on Wednesday. They began this week with zero rookies signed to contracts. Then on Tuesday, they were able to come to an agreement with third-round pick Michael Ojemudia. On Wednesday, the Broncos were able to get seven more deals done.

This brings the total number of rookies signed to eight. The Broncos have a 10-player draft class and should be able to get the other players done (including first-round pick Jerry Jeudy) in the near future.

Let’s take a look at the players the Broncos signed on Wednesday.

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Tyrie Cleveland | WR | 7th Round Pick

The second-to-last player they worked out a contract with on Wednesday was wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland. Originally a commit to the University of Houston (his hometown), Cleveland ended up going to the University of Florida. There, he was mostly used as a gunner on special teams and that’s his role for the Broncos if he makes the team. He’s got the athletic traits and size to do more as a receiver but needs more consistency and polish to that part of his game.

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Justin Strnad | LB | 5th Round Pick

There is some debate as to how much of an impact linebacker Justin Strnad can make for the Broncos this season. During his college career at Wake Forest, Strnad was known as a leader on the field. Strnad was a converted high school safety who ended up at inside linebacker. He does a good job of being a heat-seeking missile in run defense, but Strnad can get lost in coverage at times. He’ll compete as a special teams player in 2020 and some think he could eventually work his way into the starting lineup.

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Netane Muti | OG | 6th Round Pick

Some players fall in the draft due to injury concerns, and that’s why the Broncos were able to get offensive guard Netane Muti in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2017 at Fresno State, Muti looked like a future first or second-day pick in the draft with his trademark toughness, athleticism and ability to control his man. Then, Muti only played in five games over the next two seasons. The Broncos took a chance, but if healthy, Muti could be a fine reserve interior offensive lineman.

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McTelvin Agim | DT | 3rd Round Pick

The Broncos picked up one of my favorite sleepers in this draft when they added defensive tackle McTelvin Agim in the third round. I watched the Arkansas prospect during the week of practice at the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this year. Pushing nearly 300 pounds, Agim has six moves to get after the passer. That’s rare for a big man on the interior of the defensive line. He’s quick and can be a disruptive player and future starter for the Broncos.

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Derrek Tuszka | Edge | 7th Round Pick

You can never have too many pass-rushers and that’s one of the reasons why the Broncos added Derrek Tuszka in the final round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Tuszka’s game is all about quickness, violent hands and bad intentions for opposing quarterbacks. He plays like his hair is on fire and has a relentless motor that makes him tough to handle. Tuszka isn’t much of an edge-setter against the run, but that’s not the role he’s going to have for the Broncos. Instead, the rookie from North Dakota State should see the field as a part-time pass-rusher.

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Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | 4th Round Pick

The Broncos have been looking for additional help at the tight end position and they got a potential steal in the fourth round when they selected Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. He was a favorite of quarterback Drew Lock when they were teammates in college and in two seasons the duo combined for 17 touchdowns. Okwuegbunam is going to play behind 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant, but he could see the field when the team is in the red zone to rekindle that pay dirt chemistry he and Lock had at Missouri.

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Lloyd Cushenberry | C | 3rd Round Pick

The center is the quarterback of your offensive line and finding a quality starter can be difficult. The Broncos hope they have a 10-year starter in Lloyd Cushenberry from LSU. He is big, strong, athletic and known as a smart player who can pick up things quickly. Cushenberry plays sound football but does not have a mean streak, but according to players I talk to that’s not a problem when it comes to the center position.

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Who’s Left?

The Broncos have two rookies yet to sign rookie contracts, but they should soon do just that. First-round wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) and second-round wide receiver K.J. Hamler (Penn State) are the two rookies left to sign. Both should get their deals done before the start of training camp.

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