Ex-Rams DE explains why the Ty Simpson pick was actually smart
Chris Long believes Rams' Ty Simpson pick is a smart long-term strategy.
The Denver Broncos selected Jonah Coleman and Kage Casey in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to strengthen their offense. Coleman expressed excitement about joining the team and protecting quarterback Bo Nix.
Mentioned in this story
In the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft the Broncos picked up two key players to help bolster the offense. Boise State left tackle Kage Casey and Washington running back Jonah Coleman are some great additions to this team.
With Coleman, there was plenty of talk between him and the team leading up to the draft and there was a relationship built from the beginning.
âWe just hit it off right off the bat. As soon as I walked in the meeting, I felt the energy and really the love from the start. I went in there, and we just talked some ball and just crushed it. When I went up there on a [Top 30] visit, all I kept hearing was they were really impressed with my interview at the Combine.â
Coleman, of course, is a fantastic, physical runner that will bolster Denverâs ability between the tackles, but thatâs not the only reason he was drafted.
âItâs really important. Now I get to go protect [QB] Bo Nix, and I take pride in that. I may not have all the exciting plays and all of that, but I do the dirty work. I do those things that not a lot of people pay attention to. Just being able to be well rounded.â
Offensive lineman Kage Casey has been ready to be (remain) a Bronco for a while now.
âI was for sure hoping for it. Theyâve been a team Iâve been eyeing. I was really hoping they would pick me, and Iâm so happy it came true.â
âItâs so surreal. Same color scheme, same everything. Iâm so excited. Itâs basically a rockâs throw away from where I lived in Boise. Iâm so excited for this new environment, a new coaching staff, a new team. Iâm just so excited to be part of the Broncos again.â
Heâs also a fan of the man who he might end up replacing.
âI know especially [T] Garett Bolles, heâs a guy who I try to model my own game after. Iâm excited to actually meet him in person and be part of the offensive line with him.â
The Denver Broncos drafted Jonah Coleman and Kage Casey in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jonah Coleman plays as a running back for the Denver Broncos.
Jonah Coleman mentioned that he built a strong relationship with the Broncos and felt a positive energy during his meetings with the team.
Jonah Coleman is expected to enhance the Broncos' rushing attack with his physical running style, particularly between the tackles.
Chris Long believes Rams' Ty Simpson pick is a smart long-term strategy.
Red Sox brass in talks about coaching staff changes after firing Alex Cora.
Maryland women's lacrosse loses to Northwestern 8-7 in Big Ten final
Mel Kiper assigned the Arizona Cardinals a 'B' grade for their performance in the 2026 NFL draft, highlighting concerns in one specific area.
Tulsa's Steven Baker clinches victory at the 2026 OKC Memorial Marathon!
UCLA softball secures 7-2 win over Washington, dominating the game!
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
And what he likes most about him:
âMainly just pass protection and also how consistent he is. Just his consistency in the pass pro itself is something that Iâve always tried to implement into my own game and what weâll be trying to do further.â
Sean Payton certainly feels like these two guys were must-haves.
âI think as you go through the reads on the runner [Jonah Coleman] for instance, both Jonah and then there was one other back we kept thinking⊠They were graded early in the third, end of the second. Thatâs that tough scenario, âWill they make it to 108?â It helped they were both available because we had discussed even climbing back. So Jonah came in for a visit. We spent a lot of time with him. I saw something that compared his running style, and I think the comparison was [RB] J.K. [Dobbins], and I think thatâs a compliment obviously to the way Dobbins runs. Heâs a physical runner. So we were real familiar with him.
âThen [OL] Kage [Casey] was someone the same way. How does the league value the guard-swing tackle versus the running back when weâre deciding that order? I think there were three picks between, and again the versatility there with Kage was really attractive. So thatâs a long wait, if you will, where youâre going through a lot of picks. Certainly we discussed traveling back, and we ended up fortunately staying put. A lot of time, I felt, like a lot of time went off between the beginning of today and getting to both Jonah and Kage.â
In the fifth round the Broncos filled whatâs likely their biggest hole on offense and drafted NC Stateâs tight end Justin Joly. Joly is an incredibly athletic receiver and can bring a much-needed bit of explosiveness to the intermediate portion of the field.
Hereâs what Joly thinks heâs best at:
âI always feel like my hands work really well, and Iâm a security blanket for my quarterback. When you have a great quarterback like [QB] Bo Nix, you live life a little bit easier.â
He also had a little more to say about Bo Nix and what he expects out of his new quarterback:
âHonestly just leadership and knowing what youâre doing all the time. Heâs such a smart quarterback, and I love having the opportunity to see him play for the Broncos now. Itâs just being reliable and be there when he needs you. Thatâs really what it is, whatever opportunities I might get, make the most of it because Iâm not doing it for myselfâIâm doing it for my team as well.â
Seventh-round pick Miles Scott getâs to reunite with a former teammate.
âItâll be great. [WR] Pat [Bryant] was a great teammate. Me and Pat came in together at Illinois. We were both playing receiver. 2021 we both came in. Then I got to see him get drafted to Denver, and now he got to see me get drafted to Denver. So thatâs kind of crazy. I was just with Pat while I was on the [Top] 30 visit. So itâs crazy.â
And a similar thing can be said by one of their other seventh-rounders, tight end Dallen Bentley, as he becomes another on a long list of Utes to be drafted or signed by Denver. He was asked why his fellow alum seem so alluring to the Broncos:
âI have no idea. *(Laughs)*I think Utah just plays with a certain style and has a certain grit to them that kind of draws attention from NFL teams, and specifically the Broncos. I have no idea to be honest, but we have a couple of guys there in the last few years, so it will be cool to see some of them.â
And the strong words from this yearâs Mr. Irrelevant, linebacker Red Murdock when asked about his NCAA record 17 forced fumbles:
âMeticulous intent and being kind of being obsessed with it. Now Iâm just ready to go do that on the field and help us get some wins.â