While John Elway and his staff wrap up preparations for next week's NFL draft Jeff Driskel Jersey , it's the Denver Broncos' 2017 draft class that's really on the clock.

"Well, we're hoping they can help us this year," Elway said Thursday.

A half dozen of Elway's 2017 draft picks either missed their entire rookie season or played so sparingly that they remain virtual unknowns.

Only first-round pick Garrett Bolles had much of an impact, but he was one of the most penalized players in the league and was openly mocked in the locker room by several veterans after the tough-talking left tackle was bowled over by Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan on Christmas Eve, which they had warned him would happen if he didn't fix his poor technique.

Aside from Bolles, who started all 16 games, the 2017 draft class couldn't get onto the field, combining for zero starts and missing a combined 75 games while playing sparingly in 37.

A year after an offensive-defensive rift opened in the Broncos locker room, there was a simmering generational gap in 2017. Several veterans including Chris Harris Jr. and Todd Davis said the rookie class just didn't grasp the NFL leap until the season was already a lost cause thanks to an eight-game skid, their longest in 50 years.

Three of last year's picks didn't play at all 鈥?third-round wide receiver Carlos Henderson (hand), fifth-round tight end Jake Butt (knee) and seventh-round quarterback Chad Kelly (knee, wrist).

Three others hardly played.

Defensive end DeMarcus Walker Jaylon Smith Jersey , Denver's second-round pick, managed a single sack in 10 games after losing weight to move outside. Third-round cornerback Brendan Langley had one punt return for 6 yards. And sixth-round running back De'Angelo Henderson carried the ball just seven times for 13 yards after a terrific training camp.

Meanwhile, fifth-rounder Isaiah McKenzie played much more than expected.

Coach Vance Joseph raised eyebrows by handing the rookie from the University of Georgia the starting punt returner's job early in training camp even as other position battles raged on, most notably at quarterback between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch.

Joseph also stuck with McKenzie through a half dozen fumbles that left players privately fuming that the coaches were rewarding the rookie for his persistent gaffes.

McKenzie's mistakes weren't limited to special teams. He cost Denver a chance at points just before halftime in Week 16 when he forgot the Broncos didn't have any more timeouts, caught a pass and instead of stepping out of bounds spun back to the middle of the field and was tackled at the 20 as time expired.

If the Broncos are to rebound in 2018, a big bounce-back from their entire 2017 draft class would surely help.

"Yeah, our expectations are that that class participates a lot more this year than it did last year," Elway said. "At least that's the hope."

Butt was a projected first-rounder last year before he blew out a knee in his bowl game and slipped to the fifth round. If healthy, he could provide a big boost to an offense that was anemic last season.

"Jake seems to be running around in good shape," Elway said.

Kelly also was considered a steal as the final player selected in Round 7 because he was recovering from multiple injuries.

He could be the wild card in the quarterback room this summer because he has the chops to beat out Lynch as Case Keenum's backup, which could prompt Elway to finally move on from Lynch, whom he moved up to select in the first round two years ago only to see him languish on the bench for two years.

Somebody else who needs to shake off a shaky rookie season is Joseph. He inherited a 9-7 team that was one year removed from a Super Bowl triumph and went 5-11 with eight double-digit losses last year.

Joseph kept his job but brought in several new assistants as he tries to become the first head coach in the Super Bowl era to reach the playoffs after winning four fewer games than the one he inherited.

It would help if the 2017 class proves first impressions were wrong and if the upcoming draft class has more of an immediate impact.

The Broncos own the fifth overall pick Nolan Cromwell Jersey , their highest since Elway chose superstar Von Miller with the second selection in 2011.

After publicly lobbying Elway to sign free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, Miller isn't offering his GM any advice in advance of the draft.

"I'm cool with whatever he does with that pick," Miller said.

NOTES: Elway said he was glad to be able to trade CB Aqib Talib to the Rams, one of his desired destinations. "I know that he'll feel comfortable playing for Wade (Phillips) out there. He knows that system very well," Elway said.

鈥?Delanie Walker held the ball in the end zone and waited for his teammates to celebrate.They came from every direction: Left, right and even the bench.The Tennessee Titans tight end caught two touchdown passes, including an 18-yarder with 1:31 remaining , and the AFC beat the NFC 24-23 in a rain-soaked Pro Bowl on Sunday.Teammates mobbed him. Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Browns, Baltimore safety Eric Weddle, Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin were among those who left the sideline to congratulate Walker.“That’s as real as it gets in football,” Oakland quarterback Derek Carr said. “You always want to win, especially with money on the line.”The winning team got $64 John Miller Jersey ,000 each, double the losing team’s share.“You’ve got guys on the sidelines saying, ‘I need that money,'” Carr said.Carr completed 11 of 15 passes for 115 yards and connected with Walker on a skinny post for the winning score.Denver’s Von Miller sealed the victory when he caused and recovered a fumble by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Miller posed problems all afternoon for the NFC.“I go all out all the time,” Miller said.Although the game was more two-hand touch than hard-nosed football, there were plenty of defensive gems.Arizona’s Patrick Peterson had two interceptions. Minnesota’s Harrison Smith returned a pick for a score. And two players took exception to one aggressive takedown. Tennessee left tackle Taylor Lewan and Oakland guard Kelechi Osemele had words for New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan after he drilled Indianapolis tight end Jack Doyle.None of those plays compared to Miller’s game-clinching strip-sack.“I knew Von was going to do it,” Broncos teammate Aqib Talib said. “When it’s clutch time, crunch time, that’s what he does. We needed a play, and Von went and did what he does.”The AFC overcame a 17-point halftime deficit and four turnovers to win the annual all-star game.Heavy downpours were partly to blame for the sloppiness.The rain prompted some fans to leave Camping World Stadium and others to break out ponchos. It also caused players on both sidelines to scramble to protect cellphones.Jordan, New Orleans running back Mark Ingram and others had their phones in hand during introductions, and dozens more could be seen using them on the sidelines early in the game. They shoved them in plastic bags as the rain started.Each of the AFC quarterbacks 鈥?Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger Jerrell Freeman Jersey , Kansas City’s Alex Smith and Carr 鈥?threw interceptions. And Kansas City returner Tyreek Hill muffed a punt.Carr made up for his mistake by completing a 12-yard pass to Miami’s Jarvis Landry on a fourth-and-7 play in the waning minutes. He found Walker down the middle three plays later.Walker was voted the offensive MVP, and Miller was the defensive MVP. Both got luxury cars to go along with trophies.“He’s a Super Bowl MVP and now a Pro Bowl MVP as well,” Talib said of Miller. “Another accolade for him. The more accolades you get, the more people expect from you.”The NFC looked like it would coast to a victory early as two Minnesota Vikings made big plays a week earlier than they wanted (Super Bowl) and a week later than they needed (NFC championship game).Adam Thielen had a touchdown reception on the opening drive, and Smith returned an interception 79 yards for a score as the NFC opened up a 20-3 lead at halftime.But the NFC failed to hold onto the lead. Goff threw incomplete on two fourth-down passes late as Saints coach Sean Payton tried to keep drives alive and milk the clock.That was the opening Carr, Walker and Miller needed.“I think it makes it more exciting for the fans for us to put on a show like that and go down to the last minute and win the game,” said Walker, who also caught a 4-yard TD pass from Smith in the third. Arizona Cardinals Customized Jerseys ,