Former Georgia Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis has landed in what would appear to be a great spot. He's the second-round pick of the defending Super Bowl champions. If he can produce, he has a spot waiting for him on one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. And there's worse places to live than Denver. He can even buy vegemite there.
Record-setting Aussie
Gotsis became just the third Australian to be drafted in NFL history and the earliest of the three. Colin Scotts was drafted in the third round, 70th overall, in 1987 by the Cardinals out of Hawaii. (As things would have it, Scotts and Tech coach Paul Johnson just missed each other, as Johnson's first season as Hawaii offensive coordinator was 1987. Johnson recruited an Australian named Paul Manera in 1989 to play offensive tackle. And 23 years later, Manera recommended Gotsis to Johnson.)
New team vs. old (sort of) team
The Broncos play the Falcons this season, but it's in Denver. It's on Oct. 9, making it conceivable that Gotsis could be ready. The Broncos website wrote that Gotsis "is expected to make his practice debut during training camp."
Tech alumni club, Denver chapter
Most Tech fans know that Gotsis will be joining former Yellow Jacket Demaryius Thomas in Denver. Not as many know that another former Tech player will be waiting for him – defensive end Vance Walker. It’s likely that Gotsis will move to end in Denver’s 3-4 and be slotted to replace Malik Jackson, who left as a free agent this offseason.
Second place
He is the third Tech player recruited by coach Paul Johnson to be selected in the second round, following Stephen Hill (Jets, 2012) and Jeremiah Attaochu (Charges, 2014).
Decent coin
The player taken with the 63rd pick in the 2015 draft, Seattle defensive end Frank Clark, signed a four-year deal potentially worth $3.7 million, including a signing bonus of $974,000, according to Spotrac.
From Denver
The assessment of Denver general manager John Elway:
In good hands
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is considered one of the preeminent coordinators in the game, was the architect of the unit that led Denver to the Super Bowl championship and is a decent man besides. Bill Kollar is a well-respected defensive line coach who has been in the NFL since 1990. He is a no-nonsense screamer who gets results. He helped develop superstar J.J. Watt in Houston before coming to Denver. I remember him from his time with the Falcons when I covered the team. You could hear him anywhere on the practice field.
