The NFL Scouting Combine is currently taking place and every team in represented in Indianapolis.
Denver has John Elway, Brian Xanders and John Fox in Indy, looking at the next crop of college players that will make their NFL debuts this fall.
The Broncos brass understands that even though their team went on a run and won the AFC West, they still have many needs to address if they want to truly compete for a Super Bowl.
A youthful running back, and safety, an improvement at corner, a mean middle linebacker, a beastly D tackle and a receiver or two are on the Broncos' wish list, as well as two quarterbacks to back up Tim Tebow.
Of course, how many of those needs the Broncos will have to fill this offseason depends on which of their 17 free agents the team can keep in the Mile High City—players like Brian Dawkins, Eddie Royal, Broderick Bunkley and Wesley Woodyard.
And once the dust settles on their own free agents, Denver should be active in this free agent frenzy in which 470 players—more than any other year—will be on the market.
Going after free agents first, then supplementing your team with draft picks, is the most effective way to fill major voids in the roster.
Why?
Because free agents are proven NFL players, they've shown what they can do on the field against the best players in the world, while college players have yet to do so.
On Wednesday, I discussed three veteran free agent quarterbacks the Broncos should look at to backup Tim Tebow, in David Garrard, Vince Young and Byron Leftwich. Each of these men were starters in the NFL at one point, and they all performed at a high level, meaning if they were asked to come in, they could be trusted to know what's needed of them. And they all are athletic quarterbacks, meaning the Broncos wouldn't have to change the offense too much if Tebow had to be pulled.
Of course, after Denver signs a veteran free agent, they may want to pick up another young quarterback in the draft to push Tebow as well. The Denver Post's Mike Klis said today the Broncos were impressed with their interviews with Brandon Weeden and Brock Osweiler, which are rumored to be going in the second or third round respectively.
In the wide receiver department, there are a ton of players available. Pierre Garcon declined a five-year deal with the Colts, and he would be an amazing addition as the No. 2 receiver in Denver behind Demaryius Thomas. But is he willing to be No. 2 still?
Mario Manningham is also available, and he's been a solid No. 2 guy in New York for years. The last three seasons he's averaged 52 receptions for 767 yards and six touchdowns a year, which would keep defensive backfields honest and allow Thomas to get open easier.
Denver's got one of the most experienced defensive backfields in the NFL, but that also means they have to get younger quickly.
While Champ Bailey should be a quality starter for three more years, the Broncos would be smart to replace Andre' Goodman and pickup another younger safety in case Dawkins decides to retire this year or next.
Free agent cornerbacks include Carlos Rogers (SF), Brent Grimes (ATL) and Cortland Finnegan (TEN), but they'll all be looking for long-term contracts that will probably be too rich for Denver's blood. Guys that are more likely in the Mile High City are Terrell Thomas, Richard Marshall and William Gay.
Thomas has been a solid second corner in New York for the last three seasons, and he averaged five interceptions the last two years. He's also one of the best run-support corners in the game, something Goodman lacks.
Marshall was a huge help last season in Arizona, where he played both corner and safety, teaching the younger guys when they needed it. Like Thomas, he's great at helping with the run, and both should likely come at a relatively cheap price.
Gay's played in every game in his five-year career, starting the last four seasons. Though, he isn't spectacular, and his numbers (3 INT, 43 PD) back that up.
At safety, veteran Gibril Wilson could be a nice addition to play if Quinton Carter isn't performing up to par, or if Dawkins can't go from week to week. Like Wilson, Brandon Meriweather is a decent safety that Denver could look at bringing in, though they will almost certainly look to draft a safety as well.
If Woodyard leaves to a new team in 2012, the Broncos will have to replace him at MLB. Second-year player Nate Irving has impressed at times, but some question if he's ready to start full-time.
Denver could call players like Stephen Tulloch, Jameel McClain and David Hawthorne.
Tulloch isn't huge, at 5'11” 240 pounds, but he knows how to free himself from blockers and make tackles. The last three seasons in Detroit, Tulloch has averaged 130 tackles per year, with five fumble recoveries and three interceptions over that time.
Hawthorne's played well, but not spectacularly in Seattle. The last three seasons he's averaged 113 tackles per, with two interceptions, and he'd fit in well in Denver's D.
McClain, the young linebacker prospect with the Ravens, is lesser-known playing along side future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis in Baltimore. McClain's big and athletic, what Denver needs, but he'd also have to learn how to play in the 4-3 defense.
At defensive tackle, the options in free agency are a bit more limited than every other position. There are players like Amobi Okoye—who could be an awesome addition for the Broncos—and Jason Jones, but it's rumored Denver will use it's No. 25 pick in the first round on a tackle. Fletcher Cox could be that tackle, as could Jerel Worthy.
The Broncos will have limited selections in April's draft, seven in all and three in the first three rounds, meaning they'll have to pick up some five or more free agents to fill their many needs.
Exactly what they do will be highly interesting to see, and we'll all know soon, as free agency begins March 13.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist actively seeking a career in journalism. Along with being your Denver Broncos Examiner, Rich is your CSU Rams Examiner and Kurtzman also writes for Blake Street Bulletin, Stadium Journey, Bleacher Report, and Mile High Hoops.
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