May 30, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) prepares to throw during organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback — Peyton Manning (37)

Peyton Manning is still among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. If you need a frame of reference, coming off of a handful of neck operations in 2011, he had the most touchdowns he’s had (37) since throwing 49 back in 2004, and his lowest number of interceptions (11) since the Colts’ 2006 season where he threw just nine picks.

Manning has some elite receivers, which we will highlight later in this article, so he is ready for another top tier fantasy football season. He is not a threat to run the ball, but I don’t think owners will have to worry about that whatsoever. His arm feels stronger, and with a plethora of targets in the passing game, Denver is set to air it out even more in 2013 than they did a year ago.

The Broncos signal caller should once again be among the top fantasy quarterbacks in the NFL, and depending on how your league is run, he should be worth a first round pick. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was right around 4,500 yards and 35-40 touchdowns this season. At 37 years young, Manning is still a superstar.

Backup — Brock Osweiler (22)

December 2, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving (56) during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

As great of a season as the Denver Broncos had in 2012 after starting off 2-3 and then winning 11 straight games, most people will remember it for one play.

Even though the Ravens’ miracle run ended the Broncos’ season, it didn’t end their hopes for a Super Bowl title in the near future. The Broncos are the number one team in our 2013 Power Rankings, and they boast one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, led by superstars Peyton Manning and Von Miller.

The Broncos made one of the biggest splashes in the league in 2013 when they signed slot receiver Wes Welker to join an already stacked WR group featuring Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, both of whom had breakout seasons last year with Manning throwing them the ball.

Since John Elway joined the front office, this team has done a great job of drafting, especially when you compare what they’ve done the last three years to years prior. The Broncos are a team with great veterans, but they are also one featuring some top notch young prospects.

Here are three players–one from each of the last three draft classes–that could have a breakout season in 2013.

Third Year — Nate Irving, LB

The Broncos’ middle linebacker spot should have a really intriguing battle this offseason. Former third round draft choice Nate Irving is looking to take over for departed D.J. Williams on the inside and join a group of linebackers that already features All-Pro Von Miller and a player who busted out in a big way last season–Wesley Woodyard.

To this point, Irving has only played key roles on the Broncos’ special teams, but he saw some spot action when Miller got nicked up last season at SLB. This year, the Broncos put a big vote of confidence in Irving, pretty much handing him over the starting job and adding only Stewart Bradley at the position through free agency or the draft.

Irving only has 17 career tackles in 31 games, so he’s been healthy he just hasn’t quite been ready to step into a full time role. Broncos coaches feel like Irving can be a big contributor to the defense, and obviously they felt enough of him to pick him in the third round a couple of years ago. This could very well be a make-or-break year for the former North Carolina State star.

Oct 7, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos tackle Ryan Clady (78) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Teams put a premium on protecting the quarterback more than ever in pro football.  That is why offensive linemen, particularly left tackles, get paid the big bucks.  Ryan Clady knows this well and has made it clear whatever his team has offered so far isn’t enough.  That could mean he intends to play out his franchise tag contract and bolt for 2014 NFL free agency.

Denver Broncos eager to lock up Clady for Peyton Manning

Everyone knew the Denver Broncos had no intention of letting Clady hit the open market in 2013.  He was the best left tackle available and next to Joe Thomas in Cleveland one of the best in the league.  That is why they made him their franchise player.  There is nobody better to protect the blind side of Peyton Manning as he works to overcome the disappointment of their early playoff exit against Baltimore. The problem is reaching common ground on the contract.  Clady has repeatedly been stubborn on the numbers.  No amount of threat or pleas have deterred him.  He’s already begun the process of a possible holdout by announcing he will skip the Broncos mandatory minicamp practices.  Regardless, Clady could elect to repeat what he did last season by playing out the year.  If he produces another Pro Bowl his value will be sky high.  At that point either Denver will pay closer to his price or somebody in free agency will.

Colts still searching for line help for Andrew Luck

One such team that should sit in good position to do that is the Indianapolis Colts.  Based on early projections for next season they could have over $34 million in salary cap space.   That is more than enough for a big free agent signing and finding protection for prized quarterback Andrew Luck ranks as top priority in the draft. Indianapolis did what they good over the 2013 off-season to improve the shoddy protection Luck had in 2012.  They signed Donald Thomas at guard and Gosder Cherilus at right tackle, both experienced and capable players.  The hope for the Colts is that 2011 first round pick Anthony Costanzo lives up to the promise they saw in him coming out of Boston College.  So far the results are mixed.  If he struggles again in 2013 then it falls to the team front office go out and find somebody good enough to give the Pro Bowler more time.  Ryan Clady will rank near the top if he reaches the market next season.  They can and should pay him when that time comes.

The Denver Broncos know they have work to do if they want their franchise left tackle to stay.  Whether he wants to go somewhere else with the career of Peyton Manning winding down is the biggest factor in how the scenario plays out.

May 10, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (38) during rookie minicamp at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In 2011, Willis McGahee was really an unsung hero among Tebow-Mania in Denver. After signing a pretty modest free agent deal, the former Ravens running back was quietly a Pro Bowl player for the Denver Broncos on their way to an 8-8 season and a first place finish in the AFC West.

In 2012, McGahee’s injuries held him to just 10 games, and backup Knowshon Moreno also suffered an injury toward the end of last season. Needless to say, the Broncos did not feel settled about the running back position heading into the 2013 offseason.

That’s why they spent a second round draft choice on Wisconsin’s Montee Ball, who was one of the most prolific running backs in college football history. As a junior in 2011, Ball pretty much dominated anyone and everyone who stood in his path, to the tune of 33 rushing touchdowns, six receiving touchdowns, and he even threw a touchdown pass to Russell Wilson, now the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen had a pretty loud endorsement for who might be the Broncos’ featured back in 2013, and you better believe McGahee heard it, wherever he is.

“It is absolutely the rookie Montee Ball from Wisconsin,” said Mortensen, “He gets ‘it.’ He’s got ‘it.’ In other words, he’s dedicated, he’s a pro, and he’s got talent. … Montee Ball, watch out.”

As for Peyton Manning, he’s not overly impressed by McGahee’s absence at voluntary OTAs, but he believes the former Miami Hurricanes star can still help the team.

“The players that aren’t here — there are individual and specific situations. Whether there is a business decision being made on Willis’ part on his side or on the Broncos’ side, that is kind of to be determined. I’ll say this: Willis was a great help to me last year,” Manning said. “When he got hurt last year, that was a blow to our team. We really kind of replaced him by committee. Knowshon and crew really did a good job of stepping up, but there’s no question Willis was a big help to me last year and our team. But, like I said, we’ll see how these next few weeks and how it plays out here.”

So what does Manning say about the rookie?

“I have taken Montee after practice each day and just kind of going through plays, going through games, getting him comfortable hearing audibles at the line of scrimmage,” Manning told reporters in Denver. “We are going to count on him in a big way this year. He’s a rookie, but Coach (John) Fox is not going to bring him along slowly. We are going to put him in there and make him a contributor this year. So, the more repetitions we can get out here talking football, talking scenarios, I think the more comfortable he’ll be once the regular season gets here.”

It sounds more like Manning is preparing Ball for a playoff game than running through the playbook at OTAs. He is putting Ball through the full gauntlet, and according to all the sources we have around Denver, Ball is turning heads in the best way possible–on and off the field.

Personally, and this is just my own opinion, but I think Willis McGahee and the Broncos probably came to some sort of agreement that they would let him go when the market for free agents heats up again, and McGahee is simply not going to risk another potential injury at OTAs. It could just be business as usual for McGahee, who has skipped voluntary OTAs before, but you never know.

The ideal scenario would be for the Broncos to keep all their backs in-house and get McGahee healthy. Regardless of what it looks like for fantasy football fanatics, the Broncos’ best four running backs right now are Montee Ball, Willis McGahee, Ronnie Hillman, and Knowshon Moreno. If you go by the philosophy of putting the best players on the field, certainly that group would give the Broncos enviable depth at the position, but the way things work in the NFL, teams don’t often operate in that manner.

No matter how the roster ends up, I think the Broncos are counting on Montee Ball in a big way, and they aren’t going to waste any time getting him on the field and making an impact. There are big expectations for the former Wisconsin tailback.

April 26 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos first round draft pick Sylvester Williams poses for a photo with head coach John Fox (left) and John Elway (right) at Broncos headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the 2013 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos were already one of the best teams in the NFL and had made some of the biggest splashes in free agency. They filled a hole at starting cornerback by signing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to play opposite Champ Bailey, and brought in Wes Welker to take over the slot receiver position. To be frank, Denver didn’t have many needs going into the draft, so they could afford some gambles and luxury picks, and they took a couple of risks. As a whole, I really like the Denver Broncos class of 2013. Here is my reaction, analysis, and some player profiles to go along with each pick.

1. First Round, 28th overall: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

I love this pick for the Broncos. There were a lot of guys on the board that would have made sense to take, but I had Williams as the top graded defensive tackle on the board, and Denver’s depth is hurting at that position. They were able to sign Terrance Knighton to a two-year contract, and they also brought back Kevin Vickerson, but they are continuing to move forward with Derek Wolfe as a LDE which is a bit surprising, so this pick made a lot of sense to me. Williams is a bit older for a rookie, but at 6’3″ 313 pounds, he has excellent quickness and strength, and for as big as he is, he explodes into the backfield. The Broncos and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio had to be drooling at the opportunity to get a guy who can come in and work hard, make their rotation significantly better at DT, and perhaps be a steal at this juncture of the first round. I had Williams going 19th overall in my final mock draft, so getting him nine picks later is a good value. Denver may have stolen one here. Williams has been known as a “lunch pail” type of worker and a guy who plays with a nasty streak. He has an elite swim move in his pass rush arsenal, and plays low. Solid, solid pick for the Broncos.

Oct 27 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive lineman Quanterus Smith (93) rushes against Florida International Golden Panthers offensive tackle Rupert Bryan Jr. (54) in the second half at FIU Stadium. Western Kentucky defeated FIU 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 250 pounds

Drafted By: Denver Broncos (5th round, 146th overall)

40 Yard Dash:  No Combine or Pro Day workout — injured

Career Highlights via WKU athletics site

2011: Named to the second team all-Sun Belt Conference list after leading the Hilltopper defense with 7.5 sacks on the season and finished second with 11 tackles for loss – both career highs…Had double-digit tackles for loss the second year in a row, with losses totaling 100 yards lost…Played in all 12 games, posting 38 total tackles, including 23 tackles of the solo variety…Had two sacks on two different occasions, with the first coming in week four against Arkansas State…Finished the game with five tackles…His second two-sack performance came against Louisiana-Monroe, as he finished with a pair of sacks totaling 15 yards lost, to go along with six total tackles and a career-high four tackles for loss in helping WKU to its fourth consecutive win…Had a sack against Louisiana-Lafayette (10/22/11), to go along with three tackles…Had three tackles or more in five different games and posted tackles for loss in seven games…Posted three tackles on the road against No. 1-ranked LSU as a starter at defensive end…Closed the regular season leading the WKU defense with five total tackles against Troy, including a solo sack for a loss of 10 yards.

2010: Named to Phil Steele’s all-Sun Belt Conference third team at season’s end…Played in all 12 games, drawing 10 starting assignments at defensive end…Ranked fifth on the team with 47 total tackles…Ranked second on the squad with 10.5 tackles for loss, while recording a team-best four sacks…Posted a career and season-high seven tackles against Middle Tennessee, with three of those stops going for loss…Finished with at least four tackles eight times in 11 games…Recorded full sacks against Nebraska, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette, while assisting on sacks against Indiana and MTSU…Also forced fumbles against ULM and ULL, and recovered a fumble against Indiana…Was credited with pass breakups against both Florida Atlantic and Troy.

2009: Played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman, making two starts…Compiled 12 total tackles on the year, with seven solo stops, including a solo tackle for an 11-yard loss…Saw action in week one on the road at Tennessee…Made first collegiate tackle in the home opener against South Florida, making a solo tackle for a loss of 11 yards…Posted a pair of tackles in week four on the road against Navy…Had one tackle in week five at home against Florida International…Collected two solo tackles in week eight at North Texas…Made first career start in week nine at home against Troy, making one solo stop…Had two tackles in the season finale against Arkansas State.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

As a senior in 2012, Smith led the nation with 12.5 sacks and 1.25 sacks per game before he hurt his knee and had to sit out the rest of the season. This is a dynamic pass rusher from a smaller school who pretty much dominates the competition. He can bend around the edge and has good quickness off the snap, and just a knack for getting pressure on the quarterback. Smith was invited to the Combine, so he had to have gone through intensive medical testing prior to the draft. His upside is immense. At 6’5″ 250 pounds, he has not quite yet filled out his frame, and coming off of an injury, he will likely get under-drafted. The NFL really values players who can get after the quarterback, and this guy can do that. He doesn’t come from an SEC school, but he dominated one. The main game people talk about when you look at this kid’s college game footage is his performance against Alabama, where he had three sacks. The Crimson Tide had one of the best offensive lines I have ever evaluated, including a guy in D.J. Fluker who was drafted by the Chargers as the 11th overall pick, and there were instances when Smith made Fluker look like he was standing in cement. Smith also did work on Cyrus Kouandjio, a sophomore tackle who is projected as one of the best players in the country going into 2012. Needless to say, he put out his best performance against a team that put him on the grid nationally.

The guy simply makes plays working upfield. He is not a run-stuffing defensive end by any means, but he doesn’t have to be. He needs to work on that part of his game and get a little more stout against the run, but on third down, you aren’t going to find too many pass rushers in this draft who are as instinctive at getting to the quarterback as Smith.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Florida defensive back Kayvon Webster runs with the ball after catching a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 5’11″

Weight: 195 pounds

Drafted By: Denver Broncos (3rd round, 90th overall)

40 Yard Dash: 4.34

Bench Press: 14 reps

Vertical Jump: 35″

Broad Jump: 10’5″

Career Highlights (via South Florida athletics site)

2012: Appeared in all 12 games, starting 11, at cornerback … was invited to the East-West Shrine Game … led the team with 82 tackles to go along with two sacks, four TFL, six PBU and three forced fumbles … had three tackles versus Chattanooga … posted eight tackles, a PBU and a forced fumble at Nevada … tallied seven tackles versus Rutgers … notched 12 tackles, two TFL and two PBU against Florida St. … added eight tackles at Temple … had 12 tackles and a PBU versus Syracuse … added seven stops against UConn … notched five tackles, a sack, a PBU and a forced fumble at Miami … posted eight tackles at Cincinnati … tallied seven tackles, a sack, a PBU and a forced fumble against Pittsburgh.

2011: Started all 11 games he played at cornerback …missed the Louisville game due to injury … a second-team All-BIG EAST selection … posted 49 tackles, a TFL, two INTs, seven PBU, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … tallied three tackles and a PBU at Notre Dame … also returned a fumble 96 yards for a TD against the Irish … notched five tackles and a TFL against Ball St. … recorded seven tackles and a forced fumble at Pitt … added seven stops and a PBU at UConn … posted two tackles, an INT and two PBU at Rutgers … added four stops at Syracuse … tallied seven tackles and a PBU versus Miami … posted five tackles and two PBU against West Virginia.

2010: Played in all 13 games, starting four, at corner … tallied 29 tackles and a TFL … posted three tackles against Stony Brook … earned the start at Florida and posted two tackles … added four tackles versus WKU … notched two tackles against FAU … set a career high with eight tackles versus Syracuse … added a TFL at WVU … posted five tackles at Miami.

2009: Played in 13 games, starting six, at cornerback as a true freshman … recorded 30 tackles, 2.5 TFL, an INT, two PBU and a fumble recovery … had a season-high six tackles while playing almost every defensive snap against UConn … recovered a fumble against Charleston Southern … reeled in first career INT against Syracuse and returned it 34 yards.

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Webster is a guy who has a lot of intriguing tools to me. He has excellent speed and athleticism at the cornerback position, and one thing that jumps out to me in what I’ve seen and heard from him is the effort he gives on every play. I think he is the kind of guy that can help your team in a variety of ways, starting out on special teams and in specialty packages defensively. His speed will allow him to be a gunner on the punt and kickoff team, and I think eventually he could develop into a significant contributor for a defense. He certainly has the physical tools to do so. He’s at his best in press coverage, and in blitzing situations. He needs work on his technique, especially further downfield. He can hit like a ton of bricks, and led his team in tackles as a senior. I think he has a lot to work with, and will need some seasoning, but the tools are there, and so is the heart and desire. He tries to emulate Champ Bailey with his press coverage, and it’s clear he’s worked hard at that area of his game. Would like to see him make more interceptions, and get his hands on the ball because he has excellent speed.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)

The NFL season got a little bit closer for NFL fans, as earlier this afternoon, the NFL announced that the defending Super Bowl champions will travel to Denver to take on the Broncos.

Nov 11, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is hit as he throws a pass by Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) and defensive end Robert Ayers (91) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

I promise I won’t say, “Elvis has left the building.”

Whoops.

After being drafted by Mike Shanahan in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Elvis Dumervil era has officially come to an end in the Mile High City.

The Broncos and Dumervil had agreed upon a re-structured contract on Friday, March 15th, but the paperwork was not faxed into the Broncos’ front office in  time, and instead of paying Dumervil $12M for the 2013 season, the Broncos protected themselves and cut him, saving about $8M in cap space, give or take.

The situation was blamed largely on Dumervil’s former agent, Marty Magid, who has since been fired and both parties hoped to reach a resolution on a new contract.

Dumervil has agreed to a five year contract with the Baltimore Ravens after making fans wait for what seemed like an eternity, but it had to have been a tough decision to make.

When all is said and done, the Broncos didn’t feel like they owed anything to Dumervil after the contract situation played out, but they would have liked to have kept him. Dumervil would have loved to have stayed in Denver, but there were some hurt feelings there after the team showed its willingness to simply cut him, I imagine.

After Dumervil saw that the Broncos’ front office was willing to cut him outright, I think he felt like he wanted to go to a team where he was wanted. The Broncos definitely wanted him, but not for $12M dollars. Personally, I think knowing that John Elway was willing to let Dumervil go was ultimately what convinced him to sign with the Baltimore Ravens.

Not only that, but John Harbaugh has to be a heck of a recruiter, along with Ozzie Newsome. The Ravens are rarely big players on the free agent market, but when they identify a target, it’s rare to see them miss. Harbaugh is one of the most likeable coaches in the NFL, and there’s no reason to think Dumervil didn’t come away from discussions with that team overly impressed with the way their organization is run. They probably made him feel like he could be a centerpiece of their rebuild, while in Denver he’d be second fiddle to Von Miller, one of the best up-and-coming pass rushers in the league.

In the end for Dumervil, it came down to disappointing an organization that made him feel wanted (Ravens), or disappointing a team that felt he was their best option, but replaceable (Broncos).

With Dumervil now out of the team’s plans, the Denver Broncos are now moving forward. Reports surfaced long before the whole Dumervil fiasco ensued that if he would not agree to a contract re-structure, the Broncos would look to veteran pass rush options on the free agent market. Quarterback Peyton Manning has aided in the recruitment of veteran sack artist Dwight Freeney, who will be 33 this season and is coming off of the worst year of his career.

I think Freeney is a great option for the Broncos in replacing Dumervil. Neither are very effective against the run, but I think Freeney’s off year last year was a case of poor scheme fit. He is not a 3-4 OLB and never has been. He will be a great addition to the Broncos’ defense if/when he joins the team.

The team’s other option is 35 year old John Abraham, who has been the topic of many Broncos offseason rumors. Abraham was nearly acquired by the Broncos in a trade a few years back, and his name has been connected to the team on other occasions.

I don’t know what the team’s direction is as far as signing one or both players, but you’d have to think they’d consider bringing both guys in with their $8M in cap space. Neither player will be overly expensive due to their age, and even at their age, they can be strong contributors to the Denver defense.

Even with one of Freeney or Abraham in the fold, the Broncos will still have to look to pass rushers in the draft this year and likely next.

Second year player Derek Wolfe is returning as a starter at LDE, but at what point will the Broncos consider moving him inside to tackle? Is that even a possibility at this point? With Von Miller coming typically off the same edge as Wolfe, the Broncos may be well-served to keep them together as a pair.

Robert Ayers, one of the team’s first round picks from 2009 will play a much larger role this year as well. Ayers was drafted based on his potential, and he has not yet lived up to it. The Broncos saw glimpses of what Ayers can do last season, but at this point he hasn’t proven to be anything more than a solid rotational player.

As of the time of this posting, the Broncos don’t have anyone on the defensive line who is a threat to the quarterback like Dumervil was. Other young options on the team include 2012 seventh round pick Jeremy Beal, as well as fifth round pick Malik Jackson. Both Beal and Jackson are more power players than speed players like Dumervil.

If you add Freeney and/or Abraham to the fold, it will buy the Broncos some time in terms of their draft strategy. This year offers a ton of potential in terms of pass rushers, but a lot of question marks as well. The Broncos have done some sniffing around hybrid guys like Sio Moore of Connecticut as well, a guy who could rush the QB with his hand in the dirt if asked.

An interesting name on the Broncos’ radar could be Ohio State DE John Simon, whom they have spoken to this offseason. Simon is a high effort player who can get pressure on the quarterback in his own unique way. I’m very intrigued by him, personally.

As we discussed on the site earlier Sunday, it’s been reported that the Broncos are in the market for big defensive backs, and quite possibly with their first round pick. In the first round, the Broncos likely will consider any option that falls their way, including guys like Alex Okafor (Texas), Datone Jones (UCLA), Damontre Moore (Texas A&M), Cornellius “Tank” Carradine (Florida State), and Sam Montgomery (LSU).

There are sure to be plenty of pass rush options out there for the Broncos this offseason, but they might have to get creative.

Jan 1, 2013; Jacksonville FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Johnthan Banks (13) before the start of their Gator Bowl game against the Northwestern Wildcats at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos are looking to get bigger at the cornerback position, per Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

Know this: The Broncos will draft a cornerback, running back and defensive lineman in the first three rounds. Maybe in that order.

And when the Broncos scour the tape of draft-eligible cornerbacks, they will pay close attention to players 6-feet or taller.

Cornerback was a position of great strength for the Broncos last season, with Champ Bailey and Tony Carter manning the outsides, and Chris Harris emerging as one of the top nickel corners in the NFL.

I hadn’t quite written off the Broncos as a candidate for a cornerback in the first round, or even the second round, but it was pretty close to that. The Broncos signed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and are bringing back 35-year old Champ Bailey in addition to the aforementioned Carter and Harris.

The Broncos also have fourth round pick Omar Bolden waiting in the wings, a guy who had been considered a second round prospect prior to a season-ending injury in his senior season.

This we know–the Broncos have expressed varying amounts of interest in NC State’s David Amerson, Mississippi State’s Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay, as well as San Diego State’s Leon McFadden, UConn’s Dwayne Gratz, and Washington’s Desmond Trufant, among others. Another big corner that will likely be off the board well before the Broncos pick is Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes, who displayed incredible athletic ability at the Scouting Combine.

Denver’s front office and coaching staff know exactly what it’s like to deal with big, fast receivers. The Broncos have two of the best young receivers in the league in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, both of whom have solid or exceptional deep speed. That’s why the team brought in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on a one-year contract. It would be nice if the Broncos could work out Champ Bailey’s contract next offseason to accommodate an extension for DRC, but that remains to be seen.

The time to build for the future is now. Denver is in a position this offseason where they don’t have many pressing needs remaining for the 2013 season, allowing them the luxury of picking players who will be backups or role players early in their career. We saw them do it last year when they took Brock Osweiler in the second round in hopes that he could one day take over for Peyton Manning’s spot.

In addition to Klis’ report that the Broncos are intrigued by big cornerback prospects, I can add that they are very interested in the group of strong safeties from this draft class. The Broncos have had varying interests in Georgia’s Shawn Williams, Arizona State’s Keelan Williams, and USC’s T.J. McDonald as well as Fresno State’s Philip Thomas.

One thing is for certain, the addition of Omar Bolden was merely a small indication of what the Broncos have in store for their secondary overhaul. They will undoubtedly be adding more size, speed, and toughness to the back end of the defense again this year.