7. Loser: WR Troy Franklin. After an underwhelming rookie season, Franklin now faces competition from third-round pick Pat Bryant. Franklin shouldn't be in danger of getting cut, but Byrant could take away snaps from the second-year WR.

The expectation is not that the Broncos should nail every pick. No one does, though Payton’s 2017 draft class is as good as it gets — Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Alvin Kamara, Trey Hendrickson — even when edged out for Patrick Mahomes.

After selecting QB Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, the Broncos ended their eight-season playoff drought, going 10-7 before losing at Buffalo in the Wild Card.