The Broncos got to celebrate either way.

They were happy to get Utah edge Jonah Elliss at No. 76 overall on Friday night, but they were excited about the prospect of trading back and gathering picks had he not been available.

In fact, general manager George Paton thought the moment might have warranted celebrating considering head coach Sean Payton’s history of moving forward rather than in reverse during the draft.

“We were actually considering trading back and it would have been Sean’s first time maybe ever moving back,” Paton quipped. “We had a cake ready.”

Added Payton, “I was taking like 30 deep breaths.”

The Broncos had several players they liked on the board but opted for Elliss. They clearly think highly of him.

Saturday, though, is likely to involve wheeling and dealing. Denver has six picks — Nos. 121, 136, 145, 147, 207 and 256 — and the club figures to be busy right from the jump at 10 a.m.

“There’s a number of good players tomorrow and we have six picks,” Paton said. “We have flexibility. If there’s a player up at the top of the board we have the flexibility to go get him. And we can always move back. So the main thing is flexibility.

“Tomorrow is going to be fun.”

Here are some players the Broncos could target, organized by position.

WR Troy Franklin, Oregon: Put up massive numbers with Nix, including 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. He’s slight at 6-foot-2 and 176 pounds, but the big-play ability is undeniable.

WR Javon Baker, UCF: Baker is a smooth operator who stood out at the Senior Bowl and had 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns on a whopping 21.9 yards per catch in 2023.

WR Cornelius Johnson, Michigan: Receivers not named Roman Wilson didn’t put up huge numbers in UM’s offense, but steady production three straight years doesn’t lie.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: A walking explosive play. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry for the Vols in 2023. He ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 210 pounds, posted a 38-inch vertical and an 11-2 broad jump.

RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin: One of the youngest players in the draft, Allen rushed for 3,494 yards (5.6 per carry) and 35 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons at 6-1 and 235.

RB Ray Davis, Kentucky: Lightning in space and brings enough thump to run between the tackles. Davis had one big season at UK, rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 TDs and adding seven receiving scores.

RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville: Big back who can fly (4.33 in the 40 at the combine) and spent several years at Wisconsin alongside now-Broncos defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: It’s surprising Sanders is still on the board after he averaged 15.2 yards per catch as a junior. Doesn’t run particularly fast — 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine — but is dangerous in the receiving game at 6-4 and 250.

TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona: One of several mid-round tight end prospects with intriguing upside, McLachlan had 528 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

TE Erick All, Iowa: Has battled injuries in his career but when healthy he’s an all-around player. Had 299 yards and three TDs last year before a knee injury cut his season to seven games.

OTs Christian Jones (Texas), Javon Foster (Missouri) and Walter Rouse (Oklahoma): There are several veteran tackles available and it will be interesting to see if the Broncos like one of them enough to pick one — maybe as early as the fourth round — as a developmental player. This trio would fit the bill.

OL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin: Super athletic interior lineman who played just about every position in college.

OL Hunter Nourzad, Penn State: Started 20 games at Cornell and then two years at Penn State and is another versatile player who can play multiple spots.

Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: Played just up the road in Fort Collins and all he did was produce. Kamara had 13 sacks in 2023 and 29.5 for his career and is somewhat surprisingly still available on Day 3.

DL Gabe Hall, Baylor: Big frame at 6-6 and 291. If the Broncos are thinking of further fortifying their front-line group on Day 3, he’d be an option.

DL Leonard Taylor, Miami: At 6-3 and 303, had his best year in 2022 (10.5 TFLs)

LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina: Athletic linebacker who can man the middle of the field. He racked up 266 tackles the past two years and had double-digit TFLs both seasons.

LB Jordan Magee, Temple: A Broncos visitor who’s also racked up tackles playing in the middle of the field for the Owls.

CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State: At 6-1 and 190, Tampa was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023. Started for the Cyclones for two years and had eight TFLs in addition to the coverage work.

CB Jarvis Brownlee, Louisville:  Not the fasted guy in the class, but Brownlee is feisty at 5-11 and had a great week at the Senior Bowl earlier this year.

CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon: Spent two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oregon in 2023. He shined in his lone season with the Ducks, recording 34 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and seven passes defended in 12 starts.

CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CFL: A Broncos pre-draft visitor with a unique story. He never played college ball but is draft-eligible after a breakout performance in Canada. Intriguing late pick for somebody.

S Jaden Hicks, Washington State: Can do everything and is imposing at 6-2 and 215. He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, his third and final season, logging 79 tackles (six for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of picks while also blocking a kick.

S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech: Short at 5-10 and 197 pounds, but this guy can play. He ran 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and racked up 33 passes defensed and 10 interceptions over the past three seasons.

S Dominique Hampton, Washington: Rangy player at 6-2 and 213 pounds. Hampton excelled at UW and racked up 109 tackles and two interceptions in 2023.

P Tory Taylor, Iowa: The lone specialist we’re putting on the list. Taylor is a potential weapon as a punter. The latest in a line of Australians to come through the college ranks, Taylor would be an interesting addition for a staff that clearly prioritizes special teams.

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The Broncos got to celebrate either way.

They were happy to get Utah edge Jonah Elliss at No. 76 overall on Friday night, but they were excited about the prospect of trading back and gathering picks had he not been available.

In fact, general manager George Paton thought the moment might have warranted celebrating considering head coach Sean Payton’s history of moving forward rather than in reverse during the draft.

“We were actually considering trading back and it would have been Sean’s first time maybe ever moving back,” Paton quipped. “We had a cake ready.”

Added Payton, “I was taking like 30 deep breaths.”

The Broncos had several players they liked on the board but opted for Elliss. They clearly think highly of him.

Saturday, though, is likely to involve wheeling and dealing. Denver has six picks — Nos. 121, 136, 145, 147, 207 and 256 — and the club figures to be busy right from the jump at 10 a.m.

“There’s a number of good players tomorrow and we have six picks,” Paton said. “We have flexibility. If there’s a player up at the top of the board we have the flexibility to go get him. And we can always move back. So the main thing is flexibility.

“Tomorrow is going to be fun.”

Here are some players the Broncos could target, organized by position.

WR Troy Franklin, Oregon: Put up massive numbers with Nix, including 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. He’s slight at 6-foot-2 and 176 pounds, but the big-play ability is undeniable.

WR Javon Baker, UCF: Baker is a smooth operator who stood out at the Senior Bowl and had 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns on a whopping 21.9 yards per catch in 2023.

WR Cornelius Johnson, Michigan: Receivers not named Roman Wilson didn’t put up huge numbers in UM’s offense, but steady production three straight years doesn’t lie.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: A walking explosive play. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry for the Vols in 2023. He ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 210 pounds, posted a 38-inch vertical and an 11-2 broad jump.

RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin: One of the youngest players in the draft, Allen rushed for 3,494 yards (5.6 per carry) and 35 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons at 6-1 and 235.

RB Ray Davis, Kentucky: Lightning in space and brings enough thump to run between the tackles. Davis had one big season at UK, rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 TDs and adding seven receiving scores.

RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville: Big back who can fly (4.33 in the 40 at the combine) and spent several years at Wisconsin alongside now-Broncos defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: It’s surprising Sanders is still on the board after he averaged 15.2 yards per catch as a junior. Doesn’t run particularly fast — 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine — but is dangerous in the receiving game at 6-4 and 250.

TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona: One of several mid-round tight end prospects with intriguing upside, McLachlan had 528 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

TE Erick All, Iowa: Has battled injuries in his career but when healthy he’s an all-around player. Had 299 yards and three TDs last year before a knee injury cut his season to seven games.

OTs Christian Jones (Texas), Javon Foster (Missouri) and Walter Rouse (Oklahoma): There are several veteran tackles available and it will be interesting to see if the Broncos like one of them enough to pick one — maybe as early as the fourth round — as a developmental player. This trio would fit the bill.

OL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin: Super athletic interior lineman who played just about every position in college.

OL Hunter Nourzad, Penn State: Started 20 games at Cornell and then two years at Penn State and is another versatile player who can play multiple spots.

Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: Played just up the road in Fort Collins and all he did was produce. Kamara had 13 sacks in 2023 and 29.5 for his career and is somewhat surprisingly still available on Day 3.

DL Gabe Hall, Baylor: Big frame at 6-6 and 291. If the Broncos are thinking of further fortifying their front-line group on Day 3, he’d be an option.

DL Leonard Taylor, Miami: At 6-3 and 303, had his best year in 2022 (10.5 TFLs)

LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina: Athletic linebacker who can man the middle of the field. He racked up 266 tackles the past two years and had double-digit TFLs both seasons.

LB Jordan Magee, Temple: A Broncos visitor who’s also racked up tackles playing in the middle of the field for the Owls.

CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State: At 6-1 and 190, Tampa was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023. Started for the Cyclones for two years and had eight TFLs in addition to the coverage work.

CB Jarvis Brownlee, Louisville:  Not the fasted guy in the class, but Brownlee is feisty at 5-11 and had a great week at the Senior Bowl earlier this year.

CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon: Spent two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oregon in 2023. He shined in his lone season with the Ducks, recording 34 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and seven passes defended in 12 starts.

CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CFL: A Broncos pre-draft visitor with a unique story. He never played college ball but is draft-eligible after a breakout performance in Canada. Intriguing late pick for somebody.

S Jaden Hicks, Washington State: Can do everything and is imposing at 6-2 and 215. He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, his third and final season, logging 79 tackles (six for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of picks while also blocking a kick.

S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech: Short at 5-10 and 197 pounds, but this guy can play. He ran 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and racked up 33 passes defensed and 10 interceptions over the past three seasons.

S Dominique Hampton, Washington: Rangy player at 6-2 and 213 pounds. Hampton excelled at UW and racked up 109 tackles and two interceptions in 2023.

P Tory Taylor, Iowa: The lone specialist we’re putting on the list. Taylor is a potential weapon as a punter. The latest in a line of Australians to come through the college ranks, Taylor would be an interesting addition for a staff that clearly prioritizes special teams.

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By SUSIE RANTZ

Associated Press

Barbra Banda contributed on all three goals as the Orlando Pride remained undefeated with a 3-2 win over the host Washington Spirit on Friday night in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Banda scored, assisted and drew a penalty as the Pride (3-0-3) handed the Spirit (4-2-0) their first home loss this season.

“[The final whistle was] more relief than anything,” Pride coach Seb Hines said. “If we dissect the game, although we took the lead, I thought we started slow. We didn’t really start [like] ourselves. We were very lethargic, I thought Washington started on the front foot, putting us under real pressure.”

Banda, acquired for a team-record transfer fee of $740,000, set up her team’s first goal in the 22nd minute. She beat her defender to the end line and crossed to Angelina, who ran into the box and volleyed her shot into the left corner.

The Pride have scored in 10 consecutive matches dating to last season to tie a franchise record.

Washington’s Ouleymata Sarr chipped past goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse in the 41st minute to tie it at 1.

Banda scored her first NWSL goal early in the second half, heading in Julie Doyle’s flicked pass from a corner kick.

Banda drew a penalty in the 57th minute and Summer Yates got Aubrey Kingsbury to dive left and finished into the opposite corner to make it 3-1.

Ashley Hatch’s shot from distance slipped through Moorhouse’s hands in the 65th minute for the final.

“We didn’t really get any rhythm in the game but it’s a great ball from Barbra to Ang and it’s a great finish,” Hines said. “Then I think the disappointing part from our side is that we gifted them two goals today. In this league, you can’t give teams goals because they’ll punish you. So it’s a good reminder that we have to keep our standards high, stick to who we are and stick to our identity.”

The Pride went to 10 players in the 91st minute and for all 11 minutes of second-half stoppage time after Brianna Martinez was shown her second yellow card.

“I’m super proud of the players, to not only see the game out at 3-2, but with 10 players,” Hines said, “it shows another side to our game. So I’m super proud of them and their efforts and everything they put in today.”

UP NEXT
Orlando vs. North Carolina
When: Wednesday at INTER&CO Stadium, 7
TV: Bally Sports Sun

Instant reaction from the Avalanche’s 6-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series.

1. Stick in the face wakes Avs up: The Avs had knotted the game at 2-2 on a Nathan MacKinnon laser 2:11 into the third stanza when Winnipeg’s Gabriel Vilardi rearranged Devon Toews’ face. And woke up a sleeping giant. Vilardi hoisted his stick into Toews’ mug at the 2:37 mark, and a video review confirmed a double-minor for high-sticking. While Toews tasted blood, the Avs smelled it. The power-play puck cycled its way to Valeri Nichushkin for a great look from the left face-off dot, beating a sprawled-out Connor Hellebuyck for a 3-2 Avs lead. Avs fans raised the roof and crashed it on the Jets from there. A stitched-up Toews returned to the ice and garnered an assist on Artturi Lehkonen’s sweet breakaway goal for a 4-2 Colorado lead while Ross Colton’s tip from the crease put the game to bed four minutes later. The Avs’ scoring onslaught in the third was capped, poetically, by Toews, whose empty-net, shorthanded shovel made it 6-2 and poured salt into the Jets’ wounds.

2. Crowd rallies around Georgie: “GEOR-GIE! GEOR-GIE!” Avs goaltender Alexandar Georgiev heard his name chanted as a taunt in Manitoba, but it was said early — and often — with love on Friday night at Ball Arena. We counted at least five different chants for the mercurial netminder from pregame player intros to the end of the first period. Or almost as many ovations (five) as the goalie managed saves (eight) over the game’s first 20 minutes, including an amazing, full-belly flop of Vilardi’s wrister 3:47 into the contest. Per NaturalStatTrick.com, the Jets put two “high danger” chances in front of Georgiev and should’ve nabbed at least one goal for all their peppering. Not this time.

3. Parise on point: For the second straight game in the series, the Avs’ forecheck got veteran Zach Parise in the crease and on the board. The 39-year-old veteran winger cleaned up in a scramble situation in front of Hellebuyck, tapping the rebound past the netminder at the 11:18 mark of the first period to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Parise’s goal was his second of the series, giving him scores in consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff games for the first time since April 2018, when he netted for the Minnesota Wild in Games 2 and 3 of their first-round series against Winnipeg.

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The best comeback team in the NHL during the regular season did it again in its first home game of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche quickly erased a one-goal deficit early in the third period and got plenty of help from a suddenly undisciplined Winnipeg Jets club en route to a 6-2 victory Friday night at Ball Arena in Game 3 of this opening-round series. Colorado now leads the best-of-seven 2-1. Game 4 is here Sunday afternoon.

Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin scored power-play goals in the opening five minutes of the third to flip control of this contest. The Jets took four penalties in the first 11 minutes of the third, including a double-minor for high sticking.

Casey Mittelstadt had three assists, including the set ups for the fourth and fifth goals as the Avs busted open a tight game and ran away from the reeling Jets. The Avalanche have now scored 16 goals in this series, including 15 on Connor Hellebuyck, who is expected to be awarded the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie of the regular season in June.

MacKinnon scored the first extra-man goal 2:11 into the third. Miles Wood drew a penalty in the defensive zone, and then MacKinnon’s shot from the top of the zone beat Hellebuyck with Nichushkin providing the screen in front.

Nichushkin put the Avs in front during the power play for the double-minor infraction, which caused Devon Toews to leave a pool of blood on the ice after being high-sticked. Toews later returned to the game and helped set up the fourth goal.

Artturi Lehkonen scored for the third straight game in this series after a beautiful pass from Mittelstadt during a 2-on-2 rush where both Jets defenders fell down. Ross Colton made it a 5-2 game when he directed a Mittelstadt pass past Hellebuyck from the slot.

The four goals came in a span of 10:25 and came after the Jets had briefly found some footing during the second period. Alexandar Georgiev, who heard the home crowd chant his name in support repeatedly throughout the night, made 22 saves and outplayed the all-world guy at the other end of the ice for a second straight game.

Zach Parise put the Avs on the board first with his second goal in as many games. Mittelstadt made a nice play on a give-and-go with Parise to get Colorado into the offensive zone, then sent a pass to Josh Manson. Parise put home the rebound of Manson’s shot 11:18 into the opening period.

The Avs controlled the play for much of the first period and applied plenty of pressure in the opening minutes of the second, but the Jets evened the score on a counter attack at 5:03. The play started with a 2-on-1 for Winnipeg that didn’t turn into a shot attempt, but the Jets did keep the puck in the Colorado zone and eventually Tyler Toffoli was able to backhand a shot from a tight angle past Georgiev for his first goal of the series.

Winnipeg iced the puck 30 seconds before Toffoli’s goal, but the Jets quickly countered and had four shot attempts before the goal, including one by Toffoli that was blocked in front that led to his rebound try.

Mittelstadt took the first penalty of the game and the Jets took advantage to claim the lead the 10:50 of the second. Josh Morrissey scored with a shot from the top of the offensive zone through traffic for the second time in this series.

Footnotes: Samuel Girard returned to the lineup after missing the final two games of the regular season and the first two contests in this series with a concussion. Justus Annunen returned to the active roster as Georgiev’s backup in net. He missed the two games in Winnipeg with an illness. The Avs have now dressed four goalies (Georgiev, Annunen, Ivan Prosvetov and Arvid Holm) in this series.

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The best comeback team in the NHL during the regular season did it again in its first home game of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche quickly erased a one-goal deficit early in the third period and got plenty of help from a suddenly undisciplined Winnipeg Jets club en route to a 6-2 victory Friday night at Ball Arena in Game 3 of this opening-round series. Colorado now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is here Sunday afternoon.

“We’re not going to get rattled up two, down two, or we try not to,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “We just want to stick to our process. That’s what we’ve been preaching all year. We’ve been really good at it.

“We finished first scoring in the entire league, so we should feel like if we’re doing it right and we stick with it, then we’ll get some opportunities.”

Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin scored power-play goals in the opening five minutes of the third to flip control of this contest. The Jets took four penalties in the first 11 minutes of the third, including a double-minor for high sticking.

Casey Mittelstadt had three assists, including the set ups for the fourth and fifth goals as the Avs busted open a tight game and ran away from the reeling Jets. The Avalanche has now scored 17 goals in this series, including 15 on Connor Hellebuyck, who is expected to be awarded the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie of the regular season in June.

“I think the easiest story is we got into penalty trouble,” Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey said. “Whether you look at any way you want — accidental plays, unlucky plays — but we obviously let their pretty potent power play have some opportunities and they capitalized.”

MacKinnon scored the first extra-man goal 2:11 into the third. Miles Wood drew a penalty in the defensive zone, and then MacKinnon’s shot from the top of the zone beat Hellebuyck with Nichushkin providing the screen in front.

Nichushkin put the Avs in front during the power play for the double-minor infraction, which caused Devon Toews to leave a pool of blood on the ice after being high-sticked. Toews later returned to the game and helped set up the fourth goal before scoring into an empty net.

Artturi Lehkonen scored for the third straight game in this series after a beautiful pass from Mittelstadt during a 2-on-2 rush where both Jets defenders fell down. Ross Colton made it a 5-2 game when he directed a Mittelstadt pass past Hellebuyck from the slot.

The four goals came in a span of 10:25 and came after the Jets had briefly found some footing during the second period. Alexandar Georgiev, who heard the home crowd chant his name in support repeatedly throughout the night, made 22 saves and outplayed the all-world guy at the other end of the ice for a second straight game. His biggest save of the game came when the Jets led 2-1 and Tyler Toffoli had a breakaway.

“It’s unbelievable,” Georgiev said of the crowd. “I feel the guys did such a good job for me today, just made my job so much easier, especially in the second and third. I feel they deserve more chants, for sure. I appreciate it a lot. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Zach Parise put the Avs on the board first with his second goal in as many games. Mittelstadt made a nice play on a give-and-go with Parise to get Colorado into the offensive zone, then sent a pass to Josh Manson. Parise put home the rebound of Manson’s shot 11:18 into the opening period.

“I think everyone in the room looks up to Zach — me especially, being a Minnesota kid,” Mittelstadt said. “It’s an honor to play with him and he did a heck of a job. I mean, he’s flying around out there hitting guys, making plays. He made my job easy tonight.”

The Avs controlled the play for much of the first period and applied plenty of pressure in the opening minutes of the second, but the Jets evened the score on a counter attack at 5:03. The play started with a 2-on-1 for Winnipeg that didn’t turn into a shot attempt, but the Jets did keep the puck in the Colorado zone and eventually Toffoli was able to backhand a shot from a tight angle past Georgiev for his first goal of the series.

Mittelstadt took the Avs’ lone penalty of the game and the Jets took advantage to claim the lead the 10:50 of the second. Morrissey scored with a shot from the top of the offensive zone through traffic for the second time in this series.

Footnotes: Samuel Girard returned to the lineup after missing the final two games of the regular season and the first two contests in this series with a concussion. Justus Annunen returned to the active roster as Georgiev’s backup in net. He missed the two games in Winnipeg with an illness. The Avs have now dressed four goalies (Georgiev, Annunen, Ivan Prosvetov and Arvid Holm) in this series.

Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon appeared to suffer a significant laceration to his hand during a scrum after the game ended. Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness did not have an update on Dillon’s condition.

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MIAMI GARDENS — Here’s a list of the Top 10 players the Miami Dolphins could select on Saturday’s third and final day of the NFL draft, which is Rounds 4-7.

As a reminder, the Dolphins have four picks left (unless they acquire more) — one in the fifth round (No. 158), two in the sixth (Nos. 184 and 198), and one in the seventh (No. 241).

Some of these picks are better for the fourth round, and some are better for the seventh. Also, many of these picks are best player available as opposed to filling a specific need.

And because the Dolphins tend to go local with late-round picks, this list leans toward locals.

Matt Lee, C, University of Miami

Lee (6-4, 301), a transfer from UCF, excels in pass protection. The Dolphins are loaded at interior offensive line but there’s still a feeling they might get more help through the draft.

Leonard Taylor III, DT, University of Miami

Taylor (6-3, 303) has questions about his motor but not about his talent. The Dolphins might be seeking defensive tackle help to replace Christian Wilkins.

Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

Eichenberg (6-2, 233), the brother of Dolphins center/guard Liam Eichenberg, was an All America selection. Miami doesn’t necessarily need an inside linebacker, but depth and special teams are also considerations.

Javion Cohen, G, University of Miami

Cohen (6-4, 324) is big and athletic. The Alabama transfer would be among a plethora of Dolphins interior offensive linemen.

Jack Westover, TE, Washington

Westover (6-3, 243) had 46 receptions for 433 yards and four toucdowns. The Dolphins signed Jonnu Smith but he might not necessarily be the No. 3 receiver.

Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan

McGregor (6-5, 257) has good size and while he only had 4.5 sacks, 3.5 of those came over his final five games.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

Brownlee (5-10, 194) is an aggressive player with slot and boundary capabilities, and he’s local, having attended Carol City High School.

Tez Walker, WR, North Carolina

Walker (6-2, 193) ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, which means he’s fast. That’s a major requirement for the Dolphins.

Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri

Schrader (5-9, 202) has good feet and next-level elusiveness. And he has good hands. Size is a major problem.

Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CB, No college

Stiggers (5-11, 203) is a relative unknown because he didn’t play college football. But he’s an athletic freak who had an outstanding pro day in Atlanta, which the Dolphins attended.

The Post’s sports staff weighs in with grades after the Denver Broncos drafted Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B+

A solid grade for Denver on two fronts and with one caveat. The Broncos hit a position of need at No. 76 overall in Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss. They also stayed patient. After picking at No. 12 instead of trading back Thursday, the only way to move up from No. 76 in a meaningful way would have been to deal a player or dip into 2025 draft capital. Instead, Denver held on to its assets and picked a player with the skillset to help early — if he stays healthy. Some risk there given Elliss’ shoulder and hamstring issues, but a solid bet to make deep into Day 2.

Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B

Elliss plays with a high-motor, a trait that helped him collect 12 sacks in his final season at Utah. He will need to improve as a run defender, and his shoulder injury, which forced him to not work out at the scouting combine, is a bit concerning. But Elliss has the potential to be a solid rotational player as a rookie who could develop into a starter on the edge in the future.

Troy Renck, sports columnist

Grade: B

Utah’s Jonah Elliss brings energy and intensity to the edge. He has good hands, but needs to add more counter moves to his arsenal. He likely will need to bulk up to help him support the run. He profiles as a sub package pass rusher as a rookie for a group that hasn’t had a player reach double-digit sacks since 2018. That is too much to ask for as a rookie, but his ceiling suggests it is possible by Year 3 as he grows into a full-time role.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist

Grade: B

Troy Franklin? No? Anyone? Elliss is fine — lean, mean, great bloodlines. If you love your edge-rushers with a no-quit engine, you’re going to love this guy. His first-down, short-yardage mileage is still TBD, but Luther’s kid won’t be awed by the stage. Or by Patrick Mahomes. Promise you that.

Matt Schubert, sports editor

Grade: C+

The Broncos pass rush needs help. That much is true. Jonah Elliss has the pedigree (dad, Luther, could play) and the production (16.5 sacks at Utah). But it sure would’ve been nice to give first-round pick Bo Nix an extra weapon on offense — especially with so many good ones still on the board.

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