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2016 NFL offseason: Denver Broncos needs

By Patrick Morgan

Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; General view of a Denver Broncos helmet on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; General view of a Denver Broncos helmet on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linesman Taylor Decker (68) blocks Navy Midshipmen defensive end Paul Quessenberry (45) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Navy Midshipmen 34-17.Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linesman Taylor Decker (68) blocks Navy Midshipmen defensive end Paul Quessenberry (45) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Navy Midshipmen 34-17.Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft strategy

Ultimately, the Broncos might not be able to afford the luxury of solving their problems in free agency. In that case, April’s draft in Chicago is the answer. By virtue of winning the Super Bowl, Denver is assured of picking last in the first round – No. 31 this year since the New England Patriots lost their pick for Deflategate.

If he’s still available, the Broncos shouldn’t hesitate in taking standout Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker at the end of the first day. The Buckeye is plenty experienced – he’s started every game for three consecutive seasons – and he’s squared off against some excellent competition while playing in the Big Ten and for a perennial college power.

Decker has been gifted with incredible size, strength, and wingspan, and his abilities as a run-blocker have helped pave the way for Ezekiel Elliott’s coming-out party. He’d be a surefire upgrade over oft-injured Ryan Clady protecting a quarterback’s blind side; he could even switch to the right side and replace free agent Ryan Harris as well. The college senior is smart and talented enough to do whatever the Broncos ask him to.

If Denver isn’t successful in re-signing all their star defensive players, they’ll need to find capable replacements in the draft. While Von Miller isn’t going anywhere, there’s a chance that either Danny Trevathan or Brandon Marshall could prove too expensive to keep at linebacker. In the event that one or both players depart, Elway and Kubiak should take a look at another Buckeye in Darron Lee.

Lee isn’t quite as experienced as Decker, but the redshirt sophomore makes up for his youth with a strong set of physical intangibles, killer instincts, and a knack for finding and tackling the ball-carrier – often for a loss. He’s been well-coached by Urban Meyer, and considering his speed and smarts, he should transition well to the pros. At the very least he’d provide great depth on an already elite defense.

It might be crazy to think, but the Broncos should also contemplate taking a quarterback in one of the later rounds of the draft. The expectation that Manning will not be back, combined with the uncertainty of what they have in Brock Osweiler as a full-time starter, makes taking a flier on a developmental prospect an intriguing notion.

Osweiler performed adequately enough in his limited audition last season, but let’s not forget he was benched midway through the crucial do-or-die Week 17 contest against the Chargers. Having another quarterback to compete with throughout OTAs and training camp would actually probably help Osweiler more than hurt him.

Next: Summary

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