Between now and the start of the new league year in March, TGS is providing brief summaries looking ahead at the offseason from the perspective of each NFL team. In this edition, we look at the Denver Broncos.
2016 record: 9-7 — 3rd place, AFC West
What’s new? Head coach Gary Kubiak has stepped aside. His replacement, Vance Joseph ran the Dolphins defense in 2016. They also have two new coordinators in Mike McCoy (offense) and Joe Woods (defense).
Projected salary cap space: $32 million — Which is about average.
Key in-house free agents: OLB DeMarcus Ware, DE Vance Walker, DT Sylvester Williams
The secondary is really what separates Denver’s defense from the pack, but the Broncos have definitely suffered some losses up front the last couple years. Still, they’ll probably try to keep one or two of these guys. Ware will be 35, Walker missed the 2016 season but was good when healthy in 2015 and Williams wasn’t has been a consistent presence inside. In a perfect world, they’ll upgrade in a spot or two here.
Key needs: Quarterback, offensive tackles, front seven
It doesn’t look as though Trevor Siemian is a long-term option under center and the jury is still out on Paxton Lynch. It doesn’t help that the offensive line was a mess in 2016, especially on the edges.
Draft breakdown: The hold the No. 20 overall selection and are without a fifth-round pick.
Other potential priorities: Do they bring in an outside quarterback like Tony Romo, Tyrod Taylor, Colin Kaepernick or even Jimmy Garoppolo?
Outlook: John Elway knows what he’s doing and he’s got enough money and picks to get this train back on track.
