Latest On Broncos’ Offseason Plans
The Broncos will attempt to address their defensive line during the free agent period, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. Former Dolphin Earl Mitchell is one candidate to join Denver’s front, and Klis reports Mitchell will meet with the Broncos on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Mitchell has a busy schedule, as he’ll visit the Seahawks on Monday/Tuesday, the 49ers on Tuesday/Wednesday, and the Falcons on Thursday/Friday.
[RELATED: Broncos Working To Re-Sign Kayvon Webster]
If Denver is able to sign Mitchell (who would play end in the Broncos’ 3-4 scheme), it will then focus on securing a replacement for nose tackle Sylvester Williams, per Klis. Williams, a former first-round pick, is expected to test the free agent waters on March 9. The Broncos are also interested in retaining defensive lineman Vance Walker, who missed the entirety of the 2016 after tearing his ACL, according to Klis.
On the offensive side of the the ball, the Broncos will target at least one lineman in free agency, reports Klis. Denver holds an expensive option on left tackle Russell Okung, right tackle Donald Stephenson is expected to be released, and the Broncos’ guards could also be upgraded. Denver’s offensive line ranked as just the league’s No. 24 unit in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus’ year-end rankings.
DT Earl Mitchell To Meet With Broncos
- Following his release by the Dolphins earlier this week, defensive tackle Earl Mitchell has lined up a number of visits. According to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the veteran is set to meet with the Seahawks, 49ers, Falcons, and Broncos next week. Mitchell joined Miami prior to the 2014 season, playing in 37 games over his three seasons with the team.
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Broncos Could Have Interest In Earl Mitchell
The Broncos could express interest in left tackle Branden Albert and defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, each of whom played for the Dolphins in 2016, per Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter links). Mitchell was released on Thursday and could be a fit with Denver thanks to his relationship with Broncos head coach Vance Joseph and defensive line coach Bill Kollar. Albert was also thought to have been released, but Miami is now close to trading the 32-year-old to Jacksonville. It’s unclear if Denver would still be interested in Albert if forced to sacrifice draft compensation.
- The Broncos have granted the 49ers permission to interview John Benton for their vacant offensive line position, as Klis reports in a separate piece. Denver hired Benton as its assistant offensive line coach last month, but obviously he hasn’t actually worked with any Broncos players as of yet. Benton has worked with new San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan in the past, as the pair was employed by Houston from 2006-09.
Broncos Showing Interest In Victor Cruz?
The Broncos started working towards setting up a meeting with Victor Cruz shortly after he was cut by the Giants on Monday, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com writes. Meanwhile, Mike Klis of 9NEWS (on Twitter) hears that the Broncos have yet to discuss signing Cruz.
[RELATED: Broncos Working To Re-Sign Kayvon Webster]
The Broncos are expected to be flush with cap room and Cruz is the kind of signing that wouldn’t eat up a lot of that space. As of this writing, the Broncos are projected to have more than $40MM to work with in March. Cruz, 31 in November, could serve as a third option in the passing game behind stars Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Cruz has said that he would like to get back to playing in the slot and that’s presumably how the Broncos would use him.
Cruz was a beloved figure in New York as he eclipsed 1,000 yards in both 2011 and 2012 and came two yards shy of that mark in 2013. Unfortunately, he has been slowed by injuries since then. He missed the 2015 season and finished 2016 with 39 receptions for 586 yards and one touchdown.
Broncos Working To Re-Sign Kayvon Webster
The Broncos have already reached out to Kayvon Webster about signing him to a new deal, a league source tells Mike Klis of 9NEWS. However, Klis writes that it might not be a slam dunk for Denver. 
[RELATED: Broncos Have Yet To Discuss Pursuing Victor Cruz]
Webster is probably looking for an opportunity to become a nickel back or potentially start as a cornerback somewhere. That opportunity won’t come with the Broncos since they have Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby ahead of him. The Broncos are hoping to keep Webster as a reserve corner and a special teams ace. Last year, safety David Bruton Jr. left for the Redskins with the hope that he could take on a larger role and Webster could follow suit by signing elsewhere in March.
Known as one of the best gunners in the NFL, Webster averaged just 4.5 defensive plays per game in 2016. After multiple years as a No. 4 corner, no one could blame the 26-year-old for wanting more playing time.
Broncos Haven't Discussed Pursuing Victor Cruz
The Broncos, meanwhile, got virtually no production last season from receivers not named Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders, but they haven’t had any discussions about pursuing Cruz, reports Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
Bill Musgrave Turned Down OC Overtures For Broncos' QBs Job
- New Broncos quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave turned down offensive coordinator jobs to reunite with Mike McCoy in Denver, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post notes. Musgrave and McCoy each interviewed for the Broncos’ OC job. The pair coached together briefly with the Panthers in the early 2000s and spent the 1995 preseason together as backups to John Elway before the Broncos cut McCoy. Supplanted as the Raiders’ OC after two seasons, Musgrave was only previously connected to the Broncos’ OC job during the hiring period.
- Elway probably would not have allowed Adam Peters to interview anywhere besides San Francisco, where he’s now the 49ers‘ VP of player personnel. The Broncos GM said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle) he would have restricted a move elsewhere, but since he was going to help John Lynch as a first-time GM, Elway gave the go-ahead.
- Despite using him as an evaluator during the 2013 draft process, Elway did not attempt to hire Lynch full-time with the Broncos due to his interest in staying as a television analyst, the Denver GM told Branch.
Broncos' Samson Brown To Remain On Staff
- Broncos assistant defensive backs backs coach Samson Brown had been set to join ex-Denver coordinator Wade Phillips on the Rams‘ coaching staff, but he’s experienced a last-minute change of heart and will be staying in Denver, per Marvez (Twitter link). It’s unclear how Brown’s decision will affect longtime NFL coach Johnnie Lynn, who was reportedly hired to replace Brown with the Broncos.
Joseph: Broncos Content With Siemian, Lynch
The Broncos have been connected to quarterback Tony Romo, whom they could pursue in free agency if the Cowboys cut him, but head coach Vance Joseph insisted Tuesday that Denver’s 2017 starter is already on its roster. On whether he’s committed to Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, Joseph said (via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com): “Absolutely, I am. They’re both smart guys. Obviously different skill sets, but I’m committed to both of those kids. They’re good football players and we’ve got to build around those guys.” Joseph’s offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, echoed his boss, saying he’s “happy with the guys we have.”
After the Broncos hired Joseph and McCoy last month, Mike Klis of 9News reported that the club would rather start Lynch than Siemian next season. As a first-round rookie last year, Lynch sat behind Siemian – who fared OK in his first season as a No. 1 – but did see action in three games and pick up two starts.
Broncos Hire Asst. Strength Coach Cedric Smith
- Cedric Smith is returning to the Broncos as an assistant strength and conditioning coach after seven years in Houston and Kansas City, per Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter link). Smith previously worked for Denver from 2001-06.