**ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —** Even in Year 1, the Broncos' rookie class has delivered in a major way.
As the Broncos look ahead to an important stretch of games following their Week 14 bye, we're taking a look at how Denver's 2024 rookie class has made an impact so far this season.
Head Coach Sean Payton has expressed his belief that this draft class had the potential to be special, and several of Denver's newcomers have put that on display through Denver's first 13 games.
Read on for a look at each player's contributions this season:
**QB Bo Nix (first round, 12th overall)**
Nix has put together an impressive rookie campaign, and his eight wins so far this season mark the most by a rookie quarterback in franchise history. Nix's 17 touchdowns this season are also the most among rookie quarterbacks across the league through Week 14.
Nix's performance so far this season has led to league-wide recognition, and the Oregon product was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for October and earned Rookie of the Week honors in three consecutive weeks. Nix's accolades have extended beyond the rookie category, as he was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week following his Week 11 performance vs. the Falcons. In the 38-6 victory, Nix became the first rookie in NFL history to throw for at least 300 yards and four touchdowns while completing at least 80 percent of his passes.
**OLB Jonah Elliss (third round, 76th overall)**
Elliss has made an immediate impact defensively for Denver, as the Utah product has recorded five sacks, 29 total tackles and 18 solo tackles this season. Elliss has made key plays in big moments, one of which came in Week 3 vs. the Jets. Elliss teamed up with defensive tackle Malcolm Roach to take down quarterback Aaron Rodgers on third down late in the fourth quarter, and the Broncos went on to earn a hard-fought one-point victory. Elliss also recorded a sack in Denver's Week 11 win over the Atlanta Falcons when he faced off against his brother, Falcons inside linebacker Kaden Elliss.
**WR Troy Franklin (fourth round, 102nd overall)**
Franklin had a breakout performance in Week 6 vs. the Chargers when he recorded his first career receiving touchdown, and he followed up the outing with a career-high 50 receiving yards vs. New Orleans in Week 7. Franklin has seen his connection with his former college teammate continue to grow throughout the season, and he caught his second touchdown pass from Nix in Denver's Week 11 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
**CB Kris Abrams-Draine (fifth round, 145th overall)**
The fifth-round pick saw his first game action in Denver's Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns. Payton, who described Abrams-Draine as smart and a player that "has a savviness to him," is eager to see the continued progress of the Missouri product.
"I think he's getting stronger physically," Payton said Monday. "I thought he handled his role \[well\] Monday night, going in there and playing. I thought he had a pretty good game in the kicking game. That's important. So overall, I was pleased."
**RB Audric Estime (fifth round, 147th overall)**
Denver has seen steady contributions from Estime throughout the season, with his most productive outing coming in Week 10 vs. Kansas City. The Notre Dame product led the team with 14 rushing attempts for 53 yards, and both marks were career highs for the fifth-round pick. Estime's most explosive play of the season came in Week 9 vs. Baltimore, when he rushed for a career-long 21 yards.
**WR Devaughn Vele (seventh round, 235th overall)**
Vele has solidified himself as a reliable offensive weapon this season, as the rookie has recorded a reception in every game in which he has appeared. Vele's most productive outing came in Week 12 vs. the Raiders, against whom he recorded 80 receiving yards. Vele led the Broncos in receiving yards in Week 6 vs. the Chargers, and he recorded the first touchdown reception of his NFL career to open the scoring in Denver's Week 10 battle with the Kansas City Chiefs. Nix has connected with the Utah product for several explosive plays throughout the season, many of which have come during critical moments in close games. The rookie duo's longest connection was for 33 yards in the Broncos' Week 11 win over the Falcons.
**G Nick Gargiulo (seventh round, 256th overall)**
Gargiulo has spent the season on Denver's practice squad and has been elevated to the active roster on two occasions. The seventh-round pick, who played collegiately for both Yale and South Carolina, was elevated in both Weeks 12 and 13, but he was not active for either of those games.