NFL Closes Aqib Talib Investigation
The NFL has formally closed its investigation into Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib‘s 2016 shooting episode, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links). As was expected, the league will not discipline Talib with either a suspension or a fine.
[RELATED: Broncos Exercise Bradley Roby’s 2018 Option]
Talib, of course, was not charged with a crime after Dallas police concluded the veteran defensive back shot himself. On the night of the incident, Talib reportedly told police he was at a park when he was shot, but the police were investigating the evening in full. “Everything was a blur and I was too intoxicated to remember what happened,” said Talib at the time. Authorities never recovered the weapon used in the shooting, and few (if any) witnesses were talking about what happened.
Talib, 31, isn’t getting off completely scot-free, however: Pelissero reports Talib must complete a firearm safety course and provide a list of the weapons he owns. Compared to the sanctions that Talib could have faced, however, those requirements seem infinitesimally insignificant. Talib is under contract with the Broncos through the 2019 campaign.
Broncos To Pick Up Bradley Roby’s Option
The Broncos are expected to exercise cornerback Bradley Roby‘s 2018 fifth-year option, which is valued at $8.526MM, according to Mike Klis of 9News. 
That $8.526MM salary will place Roby inside the top-20 in terms of annual cornerback figures, just ahead of fellow Broncos corner Chris Harris. It’s unclear if the 24-year-old Roby is worth that amount of cash, especially given that he’s third in line for playing time behind Harris and Aqib Talib. That rotation doesn’t figure to change much, as both Harris and Talib are signed through the 2019 campaign.
Given the prevalence of nickel packages in today’s NFL, Roby still played on roughly 60% of Denver’s defensive snaps in 2016. But he wasn’t all that effective, as Pro Football Focus graded him as just the No. 83 corner among 111 qualifiers. PFF gave Roby much more positive marks over the course of his first two seasons in the league, so the Broncos will exercise his option in the hopes of him reaching that level of play once again.
The fifth-year option is guaranteed for injury only until the first day of the 2018 league year, so unless Roby suffers a major health issue, the Broncos won’t be completely locked into Roby’s salary for the 2018 season. But as Klis notes, Roby and his representatives could conceivably use that ~$8.5MM total as a foundation in extension talks, basing any long-term salary around that number.
Ryan Ramczyk Visits Broncos
- In advance of their meeting with Utah offensive tackle Garret Bolles on Tuesday, the Broncos hosted Wisconsin bookend Ryan Ramczyk on Monday, tweets Mike Klis of 9News. Both players are first-round possibilities for Denver at No. 20 overall.
Broncos To Meet With Garrett Bolles
- The Broncos‘ biggest need is probably at left tackle, and the team will meet with another expected first-round pick here in Garett Bolles. The Utah blocker will trek to Denver for a meeting this week, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. Denver met with Alabama’s Cam Robinson previously. Bolles will be 25 as a rookie, but the Broncos are believed to have “high interest” in him. Two of Pro Football Focus’ worst tackles in 2016, Donald Stephenson and Ty Sambrailo, represent the Broncos’ current top options on the left side.
Broncos Host Dion Dawkins
- Temple guard Dion Dawkins has visited the Broncos, tweets Mike Klis of 9News. Denver, unsurprisingly, is expected to target multiple offensive linemen in the draft after ranking 27th in adjusted sack rate in 2016. Free agent signee Ronald Leary is the Broncos’ starter at right guard, while Max Garcia is currently penciled in on the left side. Dawkins ranks as the third-best guard in this year’s class, per Rob Rang of CBSSSports.com, who compares Dawkins to Tampa Bay’s Donovan Smith.
Lynch Expects More Shotgun In 2017
- The Broncos took the third-fewest snaps out of the shotgun (411) in the league last season, but that figure is expected to rise. Mike McCoy is expected to incorporate more gun looks, likely with an eye on aiding Paxton Lynch‘s development, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post notes. Lynch told Jhabvala he’s “excited” about more shotgun sets being implemented because of his work in that formation at Memphis. McCoy famously made radical changes to Denver’s offense during his first stint as OC, tailoring an offense to Tim Tebow‘s unique abilities midway through the 2011 season before pivoting back to a pass-first attack once Peyton Manning arrived in 2012. Lynch, though, may have work to do to unseat Trevor Siemian, who fared much better in Gary Kubiak‘s offense.
Klis: Broncos Should Draft McCaffrey
- Mike Klis of 9News.com believes Broncos general manager John Elway can make the “biggest draft splash of his career” by selecting Stanford running back (and Colorado native) Christian McCaffrey with the 20th-overall pick. If the team is really looking to stir excitement, the reporter suggests the team also trades their second-rounder and third-round compensatory pick to the Browns for veteran offensive lineman Joe Thomas.
[SOURCE LINK]
Broncos Interested In Garett Bolles
- After ranking 27th in adjusted sack rate in 2016, the Broncos are unsurprisingly expected to target offensive lineman in the draft, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Utah tackle Garett Bolles, whom I sent to Denver in PFR’s first 2017 mock draft, is of “high interest” to the Broncos, who hold the No. 20 pick in Round 1. But Denver is unlikely to stop on Day 1, as the club will probably select multiple offensive lineman over the course of the draft, per Cole. The Broncos signed free agents Menelik Watson and Ronald Leary last month, but the front five — especially left tackle — still needs a lot of help.
Tony Romo Almost Signed With Cardinals
As an undrafted free agent, Tony Romo almost wound up with the Broncos or the Cardinals over the Cowboys.
T.J. Watt To Visit Broncos
- Speaking of the Dolphins, they’ll meet with Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt this week, and he’ll also visit the Saints, 49ers and Broncos in the coming days, relays Jeremy Bregman of NFL.com. The brother of Texans superstar J.J. Watt may end up coming off the board in Round 1.