The Denver Broncos’ 2023 rookie class was largely unimpressive, in part because of their limited draft capital, and in part due to questionable selections.
That said, a few talented and promising rookies rose above the rubble and shined in spite of the failings around them.
Which of these rookies was most impressive?
The LTB Crew has the answer.
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): Marvin Mims Jr.
Overall, it doesn’t feel like a Rookie of the Year award should be handed out to any Bronco, as their rookie class was very uninspiring as a whole, but if I did have to give one out, it would go to Mims, mostly for his work on special teams.
Mims was an All-Pro level return man for the Broncos. Hopefully next season Mims returns to the field as a more nuanced route runner, so we can see his amazing explosiveness on offense as well.
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): Jaleel McLaughlin.
This is a two-horse race because of the disappointing nature of Denver’s 2023 rookie campaigns, and while Mims does have a very compelling argument, McLaughlin was the second-most utilized weapon in the entire offense, despite his UDFA label, and performed on a high level on offense, as opposed to special teams.
My full case for McLaughlin can be found in the first half of my long form Broncos Awards article.
Mario Vetanze (@VetanzeTherapy): Marvin Mims Jr.
There isn’t really another option here. Nothing against Mims as he was incredible as a return man earning All-Pro honors, but it’s a bit disheartening that the Broncos best rookie from the 2023 class was a return specialist.
That being said, Mims flashed as a receiver capable of stretching the field and making splash plays. It’s just unfortunate that he didn’t get more opportunities, although I see him having a much bigger role in the offense next season. The same can be said for Drew Sanders, Riley Moss, and Alex Forsyth, all of whom should have greatly expanded roles next year.
Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm): Jaleel McLaughlin.
The Broncos didn’t make many draft picks this past draft and, of those picks, few got the opportunity to really be evaluated. Of those few, my pick for ROTY is actually one of the guys they didn’t draft – UDFA RB Jaleel McLaughlin.
After a devastating 2022 knee injury to Javonte Williams, there were major questions about what additions Sean Payton would make to the Broncos’ backfield. To the surprise of many, he rolled with a three-headed beast of a recovering Williams, vet third-down back Samaje Perine, and the sub-200-pound undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State.
While the Broncos’ rushing attack wasn’t a great (or honestly even good) unit, the flashes we saw from McLaughlin sparked a ton of optimism for the back’s future. Jaw-dropping speed and short-area quickness combined with great vision and a knack for finding extra yards make him enticing.
He’s an effective weapon in the screen game, shows promise as a route runner, and, later in the year, even showed some promise as a pass protector. In a Sean Payton offense that maximizes the best traits of every offensive player, Jaleel McLaughlin is an absurdly exciting player going forward.
Carter Dillon (@CarterDillon14): Jaleel McLaughlin.
This is a tough one. As much as I would like to say Marvin Mims, who showed flashes during this season and definitely has solved the kick/punt returner job for a while, he just didn’t do as much as McLaughlin did.
McLaughlin gave this offense such a more dynamic backfield than we were expecting heading into training camp and I feel like Jaleel made plays when he was asked to and I am excited to see what his second year in the league looks like.
Robby Davis (@Robby_NFL): Marvin Mims Jr.
He instantly improved the special teams unit and became one of the best returners in year one.
Jason Bishop (@JasonBishopBI): Marvin Mims Jr.
The Broncos did not get much contribution out of their rookie class, so Mims gets this award by default. Mims showed flashes as a deep threat and was one of the best returners in the NFL this year, being selected to the Pro Bowl as a returner for the AFC squad.
Patrick Chiotti (@PatrickChiotti): Marvin Mims Jr.
Mims is going to be my ROTY by a small margin, simply because of his contributions on special teams as a returner, which is something we have not seen in Denver for some time.
While Mims’ athletic abilities are well-known, I wish he would’ve had a bigger role in the offense.
We saw enough glimpses of what he could be as a deep threat playmaker in Sean Payton’s offense to be excited about the future. He definitely had some tough rookie moments, but his big play ability made it exciting every time he touched the rock.
Jacob Romano (@JTR_14): Marvin Mims Jr.
Considering that Mims was the only player in the Broncos 2023 rookie class who received significant snaps, he is the obvious choice for this award.
Even if by default, Mims was one of the most promising and exciting players in a very up-and-down season for the Broncos. He displayed the skillset he was drafted for, as he was an explosive playmaker for the offense when targeted. Furthermore, he was one of the best returners in the NFL, boasting 16.3 yards per attempt.
The Broncos will look for Mims to be a much bigger part of the offense in 2024, as Denver’s wide receiver room appears to be changing a lot this offseason.
Winner: Marvin Mims Jr. (6 votes)
Honorable Mention: Jaleel McLaughlin (3 votes)
