Denver Broncos Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Goodell Discusses Broncos' Pat Bowlen Trust

By Ben Levine | at February 3, 2018 10:08 am

Goodell confirmed that the Broncos have been operating “in full compliance with league guidelines” in regards to the Broncos’ ownership structure through the Pat Bowlen Trust. “They are in compliance with our rules. They have been very thoughtful. They have done a terrific job of leading that franchise over the last several years as Pat’s focused on his health issues,” Goodell said (via Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com). Bowlen stepped away from his role back in 2014 so he could focus on his fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The trust was established to ensure that franchise would continue to run smoothly in his absence. Goodell did point out the the trustees will ultimately have to decide who the primary owner will be.

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Top 3 Offseason Needs: Denver Broncos

By Sam Robinson | at February 1, 2018 9:59 pm

In advance of March 14, the start of free agency in the NFL, Pro Football Rumors will detail each team’s three most glaring roster issues. We’ll continue this year’s series with the Denver Broncos, who slunk out of the playoff picture midway through the 2017 season en route to a 5-11 campaign.

Depth Chart (via Roster Resource)

Pending Free Agents:

Zaire Anderson, LB (ERFA)
Allen Barbre, G
Shaquil Barrett, LB (RFA)
Jamaal Charles, RB
Jared Crick, DE
Todd Davis, LB
Bennie Fowler, WR (RFA)
Jerrol Garcia-Williams, LB (ERFA)
Virgil Green, TE
Shelby Harris, DE (ERFA)
Joseph Jones, LB (ERFA)
Casey Kreiter, LS (ERFA)
Cody Latimer, WR
Corey Nelson, LB
Brock Osweiler, QB
Matt Paradis, C (RFA)
Donald Stephenson, T
Jordan Taylor, WR (ERFA)
Billy Turner, G
Elijah Wilkinson, T (ERFA)
Billy Winn, DE

Top 10 Cap Hits for 2018:

Von Miller, LB: $22,500,000
Demaryius Thomas, WR: $12,033,333
Aqib Talib, CB: $12,000,000
Emmanuel Sanders, WR: $10,937,500
Derek Wolfe, DE: $10,925,000
Chris Harris, CB: $10,366,666
Ronald Leary, G: $8,796,875
Bradley Roby, CB: $8,526,000
Menelik Watson, T: $7,458,333
Brandon Marshall, LB: $7,000,000

Other:

Projected cap space (via Over the Cap): $26,965,120
Fifth pick in draft
Must exercise or decline 2019 fifth-year option for LB Shane Ray

Three Needs:

1) Decide which path they’ll take to quarterback upgrade: The 2016 Broncos did not display much in the way of rushing offense, rushing defense, or pass offense. They rode a historically dominant pass defense to a 9-7 record. A year later, Denver managed to fix its ground problems, rising from 28th to fifth in run defense and 27th to 12th in rush offense, but it ended up mattering little thanks to what took place under center. Often abysmal quarterback play doomed the Broncos, and their offseason will be centered around addressing that.

However, the Broncos have two disparate routes they could take to upgrade here. Their situation dictates they will have to make a decision earlier than most quarterback-needy teams have in recent memory.

Thanks to a quarterback market that dwarfs just about anything the NFL’s seen since Peyton Manning‘s 2012 free agency tour, the Broncos don’t figure to have the luxury of prospects’ pro days or pre-draft visits to judge incoming rookies. Since the legal tampering period begins March 12, the Broncos — if they are to explore adding a veteran to align with their experienced defense and wideout duo — may have to choose their avenue after the Combine.

Now that historic circumstances will send Kirk Cousins to the market, landing him will probably be Denver’s primary goal. Shifting focus to the rookie circuit will presumably only come as a result of Cousins deciding to sign elsewhere.

While it’s a good year to need a quarterback, with starter-level veterans available and a rookie class that could see four passers go off the board in the top 10, whatever direction the Broncos choose will have critical ramifications for themselves and some other teams in this complex quarterback market.

It would make financial sense if the Broncos targeted a rookie. Before any Aqib Talib action is taken, Denver is in the middle of the cap-space pack. Shedding only Talib’s deal (and saving $11MM) might not be sufficient in a Cousins pursuit. They may need to consider removing at least one more veteran contract from the payroll. C.J. Anderson, Derek Wolfe, Emmanuel Sanders or even Demaryius Thomas qualify here.

That said, their QB sales pitch is a veteran-heavy roster filled with championship experience. Cutting into it too much would defeat the purpose of adding a passer.

However, the Broncos’ past decision to go in the amateur direction burned them. Paxton Lynch‘s lack of development placed them in this predicament.

While a rookie would be a better financial fit, it might behoove the Broncos to go for experience this time considering the ages of said championship nucleus. Von Miller (29 in March), Chris Harris (29 in June), Brandon Marshall (29 in September) and Wolfe (28 in February) will all be in their 20s next season, but it will be the last season the bulk of the remaining Super Bowl 50 core will be south of 30. Sanders will turn 31 in March, and Thomas recently turned 30.

The best players currently on the Broncos are not ascending talents, and they have seen poor quarterback play drain some of their primes. A veteran would make more sense for this group’s contention window.

Cousins’ price could well be north of Matthew Stafford‘s $27MM-AAV pact and thus nearly $10MM more per year than the Broncos have ever paid a quarterback. Manning cost $19MM annually. Operating without a franchise-quarterback salary allowed the Broncos to extend role cogs like Marshall, Wolfe, Sanders and Darian Stewart. That math changes if Cousins or a lesser veteran option is acquired.

But the Broncos have seen the results when a proven player is not taking snaps for them and may be ready to stomach the price. Cousins agreeing to a Denver pact could reopen the Broncos’ contention window in 2018. It’s uncertain if any other veteran or rookie passer would be capable of that, illustrating the stakes of what promises to be a momentous competition for the soon-to-be-available passer.

A top-tier contract will be required for Cousins — a good, not great, passer. But an argument could be made the Broncos would be the AFC West favorites and one of the conference’s best teams with a good, not great, passer. The soon-to-be 30-year-old will have other suitors — like the Jets, Cardinals, Bills, or Jaguars, if they reverse course and move on from Blake Bortles — driving up his price. That would eat into Denver’s funds for other positions of need.

With Cousins detailing how critical a winning situation is to his decision, the Broncos may have a leg up on most of the competition. The Browns and Jets will hold far more cap space, but would Cousins — who’s banked $44MM-plus the past two seasons — take a slight discount if it meant latching on with a team in a better position to compete?

If it’s not Cousins the Broncos are realistically chasing, the offseason slows down to some degree. None of the other UFA QBs (this is assuming Drew Brees, as he’s said he intends to, re-signs with the Saints) will require this kind of urgency. Mike Klis of 9News notes the Broncos would seek a stopgap passer to pair with a rookie if Cousins spurns them, and there are plenty of options for that role.

The Gary Kubiak coaching staff examined Tyrod Taylor three years ago, but he wouldn’t seem to fit as well in the current scheme. Taylor (if available, as he’s expected to be) also won’t be nearly as costly as Cousins, and the Bills’ turnover-averse passer could play into the Denver defense’s hands. A game-managerial style would protect a unit that saw turnovers (Denver was minus-17, 31st in the NFL) create wild disparity in 2017: third in total defense (290 yards per game) and 22nd in points (23.9 per game).

The Vikings will likely send two of their passers to the market, but neither Teddy Bridgewater nor Sam Bradford is a franchise-changing player at this point. Case Keenum‘s status is up in the air; he could be an option as well if not franchise-tagged. Klis even speculates about a Jay Cutler reunion, which would certainly be a strange occurrence.

None move the needle like Cousins would, but most would be upgrades in Denver. The half-measures would also allow for less cap space-clearing roster reconstruction.Read more

If the Broncos go with a veteran, Lynch could merely be shifted back to the developmental circuit. If they entrust a QB with their No. 5 overall pick, the Lynch experiment is probably over. A veteran backup would make more sense behind the rookie than Lynch, who has not inspired confidence yet (but also has only played eight halves of football).

The Broncos having a younger roster may have allowed them to stay the course with their 2016 first-rounder for another season, but their veteran core has induced a vast manhunt.

The draft route would be interesting. Denver’s only held two top-five picks in the past 26 years, the other bringing Miller in 2011, and choosing a quarterback would deprive the Broncos of a surefire starter elsewhere. Players like Quenton Nelson (Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s Broncos mock pick), Roquan Smith or Minkah Fitzpatrick would either be instant starters or Day 1 contributors and strengthen the Broncos’ playoff chances.

However, as the Giants are also experiencing, a rare pick this high coming in a year where a quarterback is needed would be a difficult proposition to pass up. A Cousins acquisition would make the Broncos forget about rookie QBs, but are the other UFAs good enough to bypass a chance at picking a cost-controlled player like Josh Allen or Sam Darnold (or even Baker Mayfield) at 5?

If Cousins signs elsewhere, the Broncos may well wait for the draft, and Denver’s March choice will help shape the draft.

John Elway took a high-ceiling, low-floor player like Allen — whose bowl game he trekked to in December — before in Lynch, only the Wyoming talent’s ceiling has been labeled higher. Elway having probably missed on Lynch also plays into this decision, since another misstep could play a role in defining his GM legacy. And what happens if a player most don’t expect to make it to No. 5 — like Darnold or Josh Rosen, whom the Broncos would reportedly take at 5 if he were expected to be there — ends up available after the Broncos chose the free agency route?

The Broncos’ decision come March will be a seminal moment, but whether it’s addressed in March or April, Denver will have a new quarterback expected to start in 2018.

2) Figure out their pass-catcher situation: There are some moving parts here. If the Broncos are keen on attracting a UFA QB, they probably shouldn’t be too eager to move on from their Pro Bowl wideouts. But it’s not out of the question given the stakes of this offseason and what it could cost to acquire Cousins.

When healthy, Thomas and Sanders have been two of the team’s best players since this duo formed in 2014. And both are under contract, should the Broncos pick up Thomas’ $4MM option that buys back the next two years of his deal, through 2019. They would seemingly pair well with a free agent quarterback.

However, Sanders (47 receptions, 555 yards, two TDs) did not live up to his $9.5MM price tag this season, largely because of an ankle injury. He’s due $10.9MM in 2018. A Sanders cut would cost $5MM-plus in dead money. There are some possible replacements on the wideout market, should the Broncos seek a younger alternative for their No. 2 receiver.

However, a key issue for the Broncos since Julius Thomas and Wes Welker‘s 2014 injuries has been auxiliary support for their standout receivers. That’s forced Thomas and Sanders to shoulder a heavy load the past three seasons, and it’s limited the offense schematically.

Denver has tried to fill these spots with draft picks (Cody Latimer and Carlos Henderson), low-level UFAs (Jordan Norwood) and UDFAs (Bennie Fowler and Jordan Taylor) and has continually received little from this group. Now that their starters are on the back ends of their primes, it’s time for the franchise to get serious about development here.

And aside from some sporadic Owen Daniels production, most notably the 2015 AFC title game, Denver’s tight ends have not shown much over the past three seasons.

Virgil Green has been useful as a blocker, but he’s now a free agent. Jeff Heuerman has not yet lived up to the promise once associated with him, and Jake Butt is still recovering from his injury while at Michigan. The latter will be given another chance, since he was viewed as a possible first-round talent pre-injury, but the Broncos need to come away at least one reliable pass-catcher this offseason. Because as of now, the top weapons that would appeal to Cousins are each entering their ninth season.

If the Broncos keep Thomas and Sanders, they probably should be ready to draft a wideout on Day 2 at the latest. Elway tried to address this with Latimer in the 2014 second round, but the raw talent never blossomed beyond his special teams-gunning work in Denver. If they’re to move on from Sanders, players like Marqise Lee, John Brown, Donte Moncrief or Jordan Matthews are some of the younger WR2 hopefuls available. None appears to have a WR1 ceiling and would thus represent a supplemental stopgap.

If Sanders and Thomas are both back, money here would be tight and the draft would seem the logical avenue. That said, cheaper options like Dontrelle Inman, Kamar Aiken or Albert Wilson are available as No. 3 targets in case the team felt it necessary to add a younger veteran to this core.

The Vance Joseph regime still obviously hopes Henderson can develop after a lost year, but if the team wanted to restock in Round 2 or 3, recent wideouts have obviously shown plug-and-play talent exists in these rounds.

As for this year’s crop, Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk (three years of 70-plus catches and 900-plus receiving yards) could be there at No. 37. As could James Washington (Oklahoma State) or Dante Pettis (Washington). Another Clemson talent in Deon Cain profiles as a Day 2 choice. Washington was a statistical monster the past two years, totaling 145 receptions, 2,929 yards and 23 air scores — both years averaging north of 19 yards per catch — in that span.

The Broncos probably won’t use a high pick on a tight end after selecting Butt last year, but they could well target a player in free agency as more of a placeholder or as Butt insurance. Heuerman is under contract for one more season but has just 18 career catches for 283 yards to show for Denver’s third-round investment in 2015. Green could be brought back, but that doesn’t solve any receiving issues.

Tyler Eifert represents a boom-or-bust player here, and considering the Broncos already have one of those at tight end, they may opt for a safer (and cheaper) pick. Eifert’s upside is tantalizing, however, despite his rampant injury troubles. The Jets want to bring back Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but he could be a UFA option. Eagles backup Trey Burton‘s generated some buzz as well.

Either way, the Broncos need another player to take pressure off their starting wideouts. That hurt Trevor Siemian‘s development and made Denver’s offense easier to prepare for in recent years.

3) Fix latest right tackle mistake: Having made the playoffs five times in the 2010s, winning two AFC titles and one Super Bowl championship, the Broncos have accomplished more than most teams in recent years. But they’ve made frequent mistakes at this particular position.

After moving Orlando Franklin to guard to start the 2014 season, the franchise has trotted out a slew of unproductive right tackles. Louis Vasquez‘s emergency pilgrimage from right guard in 2014 qualifies as the best work any of the cogs delivered during this span. Denver’s tried free agency (Donald Stephenson and Menelik Watson) and the draft (Michael Schofield and Ty Sambrailo) and failed at every turn.

While left guard Max Garcia could be replaced as well, that’s not as big of an issue as what Denver’s kept creating at right tackle. As a whole, Denver’s O-line is in better shape than it’s been in recent offseasons. But right tackle will be addressed again.

Watson’s ill-advised contract will cost the Broncos to shed. Injury-prone with the Raiders, the British blocker spent the second half of this season on IR but allowed the third-most sacks in the league (eight) despite playing in just seven games. Prorated through 2019, Watson’s $4MM signing bonus will cost the Broncos $2.66MM to jettison. They will save $4.5MM in doing so, so it can be expected the team will cut its losses.

Will the Broncos dive into free agency once again or try their hand in the draft (again)? Zero-for-2 on each front during this problem period, the team’s ineffectiveness here has caused periodic trouble.

The Broncos addressing their quarterback need in free agency could lend to taking the best player available at No. 5, or the team could trade the pick to a QB-seeking team. This would allow Denver to stockpile extra picks, and it could put the Broncos in range to select a tackle to pair with Garett Bolles. Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey, Texas’ Connor Williams and Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown are each probably going to be first-round selections.

Each would also double as the biggest right tackle investment the team has made in many years. However, barring a trade-down scenario, it doesn’t appear likely the Broncos will use their first-rounder to address this area.

If the Broncos opt to again dive into free agency, there are options.

Chris Hubbard subbed in well during Marcus Gilbert‘s four-game suspension this season. The Patriots already locked up Marcus Cannon, so Cameron Fleming looks set to test the market. Nate Solder would make for an interesting solution. Solder is a Colorado native and played for the Buffaloes prior to going to the Pats in the 2011 first round. He will turn 30 in April and has missed just one game over the past two years. New England may not be keen on re-signing Solder but doesn’t have a successor lined up yet.

Of course, like there was with Denver native Calais Campbell last year, there could be a big market for Solder. But with this being a greater need than Campbell’s position was at that juncture, might the Broncos close the deal this time?

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2018 Proven Performance Escalators

By Dallas Robinson | at January 31, 2018 10:02 pm

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.

If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $1.908MM in 2018. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2018 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:

49ers: Trent Brown, T; Eli Harold, LB

Bears: Adrian Amos, S

Bengals: Tyler Kroft, TE; Josh Shaw, DB

Bills: John Miller, G

Broncos: Max Garcia, G; Trevor Siemian, QB

Browns: Duke Johnson, RB

Buccaneers: Kwon Alexander, LB

Cardinals: David Johnson, RB; J.J. Nelson, WR

Chargers: Kyle Emanuel, LB

Chiefs: Chris Conley, WR; Steven Nelson, CB

Colts: Henry Anderson, DE; Mark Glowinski, G; Denzelle Good, OL

Dolphins: Bobby McCain, CB

Eagles: Jay Ajayi, RB; Jordan Hicks, LB

Falcons: Grady Jarrett, DT

Jaguars: A.J. Cann, OL

Lions: Quandre Diggs, CB

Packers: Jake Ryan, LB

Panthers: Daryl Williams, T

Patriots: Trey Flowers, DE; Shaq Mason, G

Raiders: Clive Walford, TE

Rams: Jamon Brown, G

Ravens: Za’Darius Smith, LB

Redskins: T.J. Clemmings, OL; Jamison Crowder, WR

Saints: Tyeler Davison, DT

Seahawks: Tyler Lockett, WR

Steelers: Jesse James, TE

Vikings: Stefon Diggs, WR; Danielle Hunter, DE

OverTheCap.com was essential in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

9 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Commanders A.J. Cann Adrian Amos Bobby McCain Chris Conley Clive Walford Danielle Hunter Daryl Williams David Johnson (RB)Denzelle Good Duke Johnson Eli Harold Grady Jarrett Henry Anderson J.J. Nelson Jake Ryan Jamison Crowder Jamon Brown Jay Ajayi Jesse James John Miller Jordan Hicks Josh Shaw Kwon Alexander Kyle Emanuel Mark Glowinski Max Garcia Quandre Diggs Shaq Mason Stefon Diggs Steven Nelson T.J. Clemmings Trent Brown Trevor Siemian Trey Flowers Tyeler Davison Tyler Kroft Tyler Lockett Za'Darius Smith

Broncos To Enter Kirk Cousins Sweepstakes?

By Sam Robinson | at January 31, 2018 2:08 pm

Kirk Cousins said on multiple occasions how critical a team’s competitive situation would be to his free agency decision, and given the talent remaining from the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 title, they fit this profile better than some of Cousins’ top expected suitors despite their 5-11 2017 performance.

The Broncos are ready to enter the market for a veteran or rookie quarterback, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com notes, having made that decision after quarterback play did the most to sink their ’17 slate. But Robinson adds the Broncos’ veteran-heavy roster would gel with a pursuit of a veteran. Robinson tabs the Broncos as making more sense for Cousins than the Jets, Browns, Cardinals and even Jaguars, who are strongly considering retaining Blake Bortles.

And the most successful coach in Broncos history’s assessment of Cousins will impact John Elway‘s decision here. Robinson writes Mike Shanahan has made it known to Elway and Gary Kubiak he believes Cousins is a special player who’s been limited by some Redskins shortcomings, and the Broncos will lend weight to their former HC/de facto GM’s endorsement. Robinson adds that veteran backing for a free agent quarterback signing exists. Some, like linebacker Brandon Marshall, have offered effusive praise for Cousins while he was still under contract with Washington.

The current Broncos centerpiece gave a strong Cousins endorsement as well, doing so after praising him following Washington’s Week 16 win over Denver.

“He knows exactly how I feel about Kirk Cousins and what he’d mean to our team,” Von Miller said when asked about Cousins on The Dan Patrick Show (video link). “And what he would mean to a lot of other teams. He’s the hot quarterback on the market right now. … Yeah, we need Kirk. We need Kirk. I’d like to have Kirk. We have great quarterbacks now. Kirk could take us over the edge.”

While Cousins could command a deal possibly north of Matthew Stafford‘s NFL-record $27MM-AAV agreement, Robinson notes the possibility of a slight compromise for a winning team is in play. A “good team” would be able to get a deal done with Cousins for $24-$25MM per year with heavy guarantees, Robinson writes. Cousins said during an appearance on PFT Live he was “willing to make sacrifices” to be in the best position to win. Although considering a soon-to-be 34-year-old Alex Smith received a $23.5MM-per-year accord from the Redskins, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Cousins barely eclipsing that may be difficult to envision given his opportunity.

The Broncos have Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch under contract, but Robinson makes it clear they’re in the market for an upgrade. And the quarterback they prefer in the draft is not expected to be there at No. 5. Robinson reports Elway and Kubiak view Josh Rosen as having the most best most refined passing motion in the draft, adding it would be a lock the Broncos would take the UCLA product at 5 if he were still on the board. Rosen, though, is projected to go to the Browns at No. 1 or Giants at No. 2 on most mock drafts.

Should the Broncos not land Cousins, and the Vikings tag Case Keenum, Mike Klis of 9News reports notes they will pursue a stopgap quarterback and prepare to draft a rookie at No. 5. Dominoes still exist in a complex marketplace, but it’s fairly clear the Broncos will strongly consider Cousins before turning to the draft.

19 comments Denver Broncos Josh Rosen Kirk Cousins Mike Shanahan

Browns Tried To Trade For QB Alex Smith

By Dallas Robinson | at January 30, 2018 9:55 pm

Before the Chiefs sent Alex Smith to the Redskins, the Browns made a play for the veteran quarterback, according to Mark Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. As many as six teams may have expressed interest in Smith, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The Broncos had some level of interest in Smith, but it’s not clear if Denver actually discussed an acquisition with Kansas City, per Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link).

Washington ultimately acquired Smith in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick and an unidentified player, so Cleveland presumably was unwilling to meet that asking price. The Browns not only own higher draft choices than do the Redskins, but also possess more total selections, meaning general manager John Dorsey & Co. had the ammunition to make a deal. Dorsey, notably, previously acquired Smith from the 49ers as Kansas City’s general manager in 2013.

Cleveland is fully expected to pursue quarterback upgrades this offseason, and may be open to adding a veteran signal-caller via trade or free agency and using an early-round pick on a passer. Smith would have given the Browns a competent starter under center, allowing the club to either bring in a first-round rookie — such as USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, or Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield — or give 2017 second-rounder DeShone Kizer more time to develop.

But now that Smith is on board in the nation’s capital, the Redskins won’t be signing fellow quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will now hit the open market. The Browns expressed interest in trading for Cousins during the 2017 draft, and while Cleveland now has a new front office in place, it’s fair to assume the club will have pursue Cousins now that he’s a free agent. The Browns are second in the NFL with nearly $110MM in available cap space, meaning they’ll have the flexibility to offer him a hefty contract.

25 comments Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Newsstand Washington Commanders Alex Smith (QB)

Klis: Broncos May Cut Starting WR

By Sam Robinson | at January 30, 2018 1:05 pm

If the Broncos are going to pursue Kirk Cousins and what could be a record contract, they might have to part ways with one of their Pro Bowl wide receivers because of cap considerations, Mike Klis of 9News writes. While noting it would be a surprise if John Elway parts ways with both, Klis writes one could be jettisoned. The Broncos, though, have experienced consistent issues finding supporting-cast wideouts; everything has funneled through Thomas and Sanders since 2015. And Denver’s revolving door at quarterback has contributed to the 30-year-olds’ statistical regression. The Broncos must decide between Feb. 10 and March 14 if they want to pick up the $4MM option that buys back the final two years of Thomas’ deal, which calls for a $12.1MM cap hit in 2018. Cutting Sanders ($10.94MM 2018 cap number), though, would cost $5.375MM in dead money.

8 comments Arizona Cardinals Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Al Holcomb Alex Smith (QB)Demaryius Thomas

Where Will Talib Land If Moved?

By Micah Powell | at January 29, 2018 10:04 pm

The Broncos, according to reports, have recently placed cornerback Aqib Talib on the trade block. ABC 7 in Denver’s Troy Renck looked at a few possible destinations for the veteran cornerback, listing the 49ers, Rams and Cowboys. Talib is signed through the 2019 campaign.

4 comments Arizona Cardinals Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Denver Broncos New York Jets Newsstand Tennessee Titans Aqib Talib Bernie Parmalee Eric Wood Jeremy Bates Kirk Cousins Larry Fitzgerald Mike McCoy Mike Shanahan Rob Moore Travelle Wharton

Broncos Will Try To Trade Aqib Talib

By Rory Parks | at January 28, 2018 11:50 am

The Broncos are expected to put veteran cornerback Aqib Talib on the trading block, according to a report from 9News.com. Talib, who has often found himself in the news for the wrong reasons in his career, has nonetheless enjoyed a terrific run on the field for Denver, but he may be too costly for the Broncos to keep in 2018.

Talib has two years remaining on the six-year, $57MM deal he signed with the Broncos in 2014, and he is set to make $11MM in 2018, his age-32 season. Denver has two younger corners — Chris Harris, Jr. and Bradley Roby — under contract for a combined $17.02MM, and it would like to use some of its CB resources elsewhere.

There should be a good amount of interest in Talib, despite his age. He made the Pro Bowl again in 2017, and he has been a Pro Bowl participant in each of his four years in Denver (including a first-team All-Pro nod in 2016). He tacked on yet another pick-six this past season, giving himself six pick-sixes in his Broncos career. He was also a key member of the Broncos’ terrific defense that catapulted the team to its Super Bowl 50 championship.

It’s fair to wonder, though, if interested teams will simply wait for Talib to be released rather than try to trade for him. Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com says he asked three GMs at this year’s Senior Bowl if they would trade for Talib, and they all said “no” (Twitter link). After all, if the Broncos were to cut Talib, they would take on only $1MM in dead money, meaning that they would still shave $10MM off the books. So, if teams are confident Talib will be available anyway, they will not be as likely to give up draft capital for his services.

Talib has enjoyed success at every stop of his NFL journey, which began when he was selected by Tampa Bay in the first round of the 2008 draft. He was traded to New England in the middle of the 2012 season, and he made his first Pro Bowl in 2013, his only full season with the Patriots.

8 comments Denver Broncos Newsstand Aqib Talib

Updated 2018 NFL Draft Order

By Zachary Links | at January 21, 2018 9:16 pm

With the conference championship games in the books, we now know the draft order for 30 of the first round’s 32 picks. Here’s the rundown:

1. Cleveland Browns (0-16)

2. New York Giants (3-13)

3. Indianapolis Colts (4-12)

4. Cleveland Browns (via the 4-12 Houston Texans)

5. Denver Broncos (5-11)

6. New York Jets (5-11)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)

8. Chicago Bears (5-11)

T-9. Oakland Raiders (6-10)

T-9. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) (Note: The Raiders and 49ers have identical records and the same strength of schedule. The tie will be broken by a coin flip with the winner getting pick No. 9 and the other club receiving the No. 10 pick.)

11. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)

13. Washington Redskins (7-9)

14. Green Bay Packers (7-9)

15. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

16. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)

18. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)

19. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

20. Detroit Lions (9-7)

21. Buffalo Bills (9-7)

22. Buffalo Bills (via the 10-6 Kansas City Chiefs)

23. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

24. Carolina Panthers (11-5)

25. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

26. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

27. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)

30. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)

31. (New England Patriots (13-3) or Philadelphia Eagles (13-3))

32. (New England Patriots (13-3) or Philadelphia Eagles (13-3))

20 comments 2018 NFL Draft Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets Newsstand Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders

Klis: Cousins Appears To Be Broncos Top Choice At QB

By Ben Levine | at January 20, 2018 12:58 pm

Mike Klis of 9News.com took a look at several quarterback candidates for the Broncos next season. The reporter believes Kirk Cousins would be the team’s top choice right now, and he also suggests Alex Smith and Case Keenum as “elite” targets. If the team can’t secure one of those three signal-callers, they could turn their focus to other veterans (Klis suggests Eli Manning, Tyrod Taylor, Sam Bradford, or Blake Bortles) or the draft (Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Mason Rudolph, Lamar Jackson are among the realistic options at number-five).

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