Sports

Broncos Focus On Defense In 4th Round Of NFL Draft

April 30, 2022 / 10:49 AM MDT / CBS Colorado

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DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Broncos used their two fourth round picks on the defensive side of the ball selecting Safety Demarri Mathis of Pittsburgh and defensive lineman Eyomi Uwazurike of Iowa State.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 06: Damarri Mathis #DB23 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Mathis was honorable mention All-ACC after sitting out 2020 with a torn labrum he suffered while boxing. His 43.5 inch vertical jump at his pro day was better than any vertical jump at the NFL combine.

"I know about Russell Wilson, I know about Pat Surtain, I know some players on the team and I know it's a good program, good defense and I'm excited to be a part of it," Mathis said.

Uwazurike is a big defensive lineman at 6-6 and 319 pounds. He was first-team All Big-12 and 2nd team Academic All Big-12. He was second on the Cyclones in tackle for loss (12) and sacks (9) last season.

"I didn't know that I was on their list, it was shocking to see," Uwazurike said. "When I got that phone call from Denver I couldn't believe what I was looking at."