Entering Sunday night’s game at Kansas City, the Broncos’ 2021 draft class has combined to play 1,921 offensive/defensive snaps. A look at each player:
Pat Surtain II
Round (pick): First (ninth).
Position: Cornerback.
Games/Starts: 11/10.
Defensive snaps: 612.
About Surtain: Tied for team lead in pass break-ups (11), second in interceptions (three) and fourth in tackles (37). … At least one pass break-up in 10 of 11 games. … Entered starting lineup in Week 2 when Ronald Darby (hamstring) was injured. … Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after two fourth-quarter interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Javonte Williams
Round (pick): Second (35th).
Position: Running back.
Games/starts: 11/0.
Offensive snaps: 332.
About Williams: Second on team in rushing attempts (117), yards (568) and touchdowns (two). … Ranks 19th in NFL in rushing yards and 25th in carries. … Thirteen explosive rushes (gain of at least 12 yards), including carries of 20 (two), 30 (two), 31 and 49 yards. … One 100-yard game (111 in win at Dallas).
Quinn Meinerz
Round (pick): Third (98th).
Position: Right guard.
Games/starts: 9/3.
Offensive snaps: 247.
About Meinerz: Started last two games at right guard since Graham Glasgow’s season-ending broken leg, getting booked for one pass-rush disruption and two “bad” run plays. … From Division III to NFL is a big leap and Meinerz has answered challenge, showing power and athleticism.
Baron Browning
Round (pick): Third (105th).
Position: Inside linebacker.
Games/starts: 9/4.
Defensive snaps: 221.
About Browning: Limited by leg injury in training camp, used early part of regular season to play catch-up (four snaps in first seven games). … All 22 of his tackles have been in the last four games.
Caden Sterns
Round (pick): Fifth (152nd).
Position: Safety.
Games/starts: 11/1.
Defensive snaps: 194.
About Sterns: Thirteen tackles, two interceptions and two sacks. … Played primarily dime (sixth defensive back) role, but started for injured Kareem Jackson against Chargers (one pass break-up). … Interceptions against Jets and Cowboys, two sacks against Baltimore.
Jonathon Cooper
Round (pick): Seventh (239th).
Position: Outside linebacker.
Games/starts: 11/3.
Defensive snaps: 315.
About Cooper: Twenty-one tackles and two sacks. … Five disruptions (two pressures, three knockdowns) at Cleveland and six (two sacks, four pressures) at Dallas.
