JONES DRAFTED BY HOMETOWN TEAM
Getting “the call” from Broncos general manager John Elway was extra special for Broncos’ sixthround selection Sam Jones, an offensive lineman who grew up in Highlands Ranch before playing collegiately at Arizona State.
“It’s the best feeling I’ve had in my entire life,” Jones said on a conference call minutes after being picked. “I really didn’t even believe it when it was happening, and then I just still can’t believe it. I’m in shock, I think.”
Jones spent the pre-draft process training alongside Denver offensive linemen at local facility Six Zero Strength, which is led by former Bronco Matt Mcchesney. Jones said Mcchesney “pulled up in his truck, squealing (his) tires in front of my house and gave me a big hug” shortly after his selection. “This is a childhood dream come true,” Jones said. “This is incredible.”
Receivers Sutton, Hamilton have history. The Broncos’ two wide-receiver picks, secondrounder Courtland Sutton and fourth-rounder Daesean Hamilton, are already familiar with each other.
They both spent their time before the draft training at XPE Sports in Florida. Although Sutton worked out at the Boca Raton location and Hamilton in Fort Lauderdale, they would convene for joint workout sessions on Fridays.
“He is more so like (Emmanuel Sanders). I am more like Demaryius (Thomas),” Sutton said. “We are going to be able to take from them what they do at a high level and add that to our games, so that whenever they need a break or whatever the situation is on the field, we can come on the field and there won’t be any dropoff at all.”
Sutton and Hamilton put together productive college careers. Sutton, who arrived at SMU as a safety before switching to the offensive side, totaled 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final season. Hamilton, meanwhile, is Penn State’s all-time leader in catches (214) and ranks second in school history in career receiving yards (2,842).
Yiadom reunites with Simmons. When Denver third-round pick Isaac Yiadom was on his official visit to Boston College, fellow Eagle-turned-bronco Justin Simmons was his host. Simmons is still in a text-message group chat with the defensive backs from his former school. Yiadom says Simmons is “like my big brother” and that they continued to communicate daily even after Simmons left college.
Naturally, Yiadom is thrilled to reunite with Simmons as NFL teammates.
“He’s like the perfect man,” Yiadom said with a grin after being introduced in Denver. “Everybody wants to be like him.”
Yiadom could contend for the No. 3 cornerback spot behind Chris Harris and Bradley Roby. But his first goal is to contribute immediately on special teams.